Job Description

Job Title: Principal Plastics Engineer.

Job Location: Lodi, Ca & Remote Office.

Date Written: 18 Feb 2021

Written By: Mitesh Sheth

Job Profile (Level-Job Family): (P4)

At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving healthcare through faster, more accurate diagnostic tests. As a member of our team, youll get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us, every moment of every day, to develop rapid groundbreaking solutions for the worlds most complex health challenges.

Job Description Summary:

This is a technical role within the Cepheid Technical Operations team and specifically scoped for management of Suppliers and Contract Manufacturing. The individual in this role will be collaborating with Cepheid Lodi Operations team, Cepheid supplier development group ant other internal cross functional groups to achieve organizational goals and objectives such as improve supplier output, improve OEE, and reduce scrap. The ideal candidate for this role would be someone with experience in Injection molding and familiar with injection molds and tooling. The individual will collaborate with Cepheid Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to identify and develop Best Known Methods (BKMs) in areas of Injection molding and deploy them at Suppliers. Monitor supplier output and aid in development and management of a Virtual Plastics Factory.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Manage post launch ramp up of production from Injection molding at Suppliers.
* Monitor daily, weekly, monthly Supplier output data/reports and identify opportunities for improvement.
* In partnership with Supplier Development team, Manage troubleshooting and problem solving with suppliers for issues, problems, defects that prevent achievement of target outputs and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
* Team up with Cepheid SMEs to develop and document Best Known Methods (BKMs) in injection molding of plastic components.
* Document BKMs by creating work instructions, procedures, pictures, How to Videos.
* Team up with Supplier Development team for deployment of BKMs at supplier. Conduct meetings, organize training for deployment of BKMs at Suppliers.
* Maintain training matrix to document which BKMs have been deployed at which suppliers.
* Release BKM documents in Agile. Maintain BKM knowledge database and through revision control ensure the documents are most current.
* Evaluate technical capabilities at supplier sites and drive improvements, address gaps.
* Identify, quantify, prioritize, and drive supplier improvement projects
* Use data analytics to make recommendations and drive VAVE projects (Quality, Cost, Efficiency).
* Responsible for maintaining long term validated state of the mold and driving process and tooling improvements
* Establish, track, and trend key supplier performance metrics - OEE, yields, tool uptimes.
* Review, initiate and represent supplier recommended design changes to internal engineering teams.
* Improve Supplier Metrology and inspection capabilities at the Supplier site as needed.
* Align supplier inspection methods and acceptance criteria to Cepheids requirements.
* Train to Danaher Business System (DBS) and apply DBS tools for Problem Solving and continuous improvement as applicable.

TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Complete all assigned and required training satisfactorily and on time.

Minimum Requirements:

* Bachelors degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymers (or relevant field) with 8+ years of related work experience OR Masters degree with 5+ years of related work experience.
* Demonstrated experience in Injection molding & tooling development.
* Understanding of plastics materials, plastics processing and plastics part design.
* Demonstrated technical and analytical ability with a high degree of professional acuity
* Strong / Concise verbal and written Technical communication skills
* Ability to read 2D drawings with GD&T
* Demonstrated experience with high volume manufacturing processes - injection molding.
* Demonstrated experience with Injection molding process and controls
* Familiar with DOE, Molding Process window development.
* Familiar with ISO and GMPMD requirements
* Experienced and comfortable with executive-level presentations (.ppt / elevator pitches).
* Basic Understanding of Metrology, Inspection systems, test method validations (Gage R&R).
* Proficient in MS Office tools.
* Experience in data analysis using tools such as MS Excel, Minitab, Power BI, Tableau
* Must be willing and able to travel to supplier locations as and when required.

Physical requirements/abilities:

* Ability to work at Supplier sites and office environment, onsite at Lodi, Ca, work remotely.
* Some travel domestically and internationally is required (25%)

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

* Masters Degree
* Training in Scientific Injection Molding.
* Must be a self-starter and be able to operate independent of day to day supervision
* Self-starter with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, critical thinking skills, and problem solving under constraints.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria and general work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for this job.

As part of the Danaher family of companies, our work at Cepheid is supported by a global science and technology innovator. In addition to Danahers unrivaled leadership training and professional development programs, this relationship also provides expanded career opportunities across industries and brands. Together, we are united by a shared purpose: Helping Realize Lifes Potential.

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Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The EEO is the Law poster is available here.