Spray Drying Operator (contingent)

WuXi AppTec is a trusted partner and contributor to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, providing R&D and manufacturing services that help advance healthcare innovation. With operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, we offer integrated, end-to-end services through our unique CRDMO (Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization) platform.

Guided by our vision that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated, we are committed to advancing breakthroughs for patients—one collaboration at a time. Learn more at www.wuxiapptec.com

STA Pharmaceutical Switzerland is part of WuXi AppTec. The site is located in Couvet, canton Neuchatel and manufactures oral drug products for global markets. We are expanding our capabilities and building a brand new Spray Drying facility, and our first Spray Dryer has just been delivered. 

We are hence looking for experienced spray drying professionals and are actively creating a new team.

The Spray Drying Operator is responsible for ensuring spray drying manufacturing activities comply with GMP/cGMP regulations and safety standards. The Spray Drying Operator is accountable for adjusting equipment and process parameters to ensure production remains compliant. He / she shall ensure the batch record and all procedures are precisely followed and data is documented following GDP.

• Prepare solutions, suspensions, or emulsions for atomization.
• Configure and adjust the equipment and process parameters (temperatures, flow rates, pressure, atomization speed, etc.) in accordance with your training curriculum and procedures.
• Provide technical support to operators in production activities.
• Precisely execute the manufacturing batch record, recording the required data in real time following GDP
• Master and perform the cleaning of equipment and rooms related to the various stages of production.
• Perform line setup, format changes and line clearances.
• Perform first-level maintenance (discs, nozzles, filters, seals, etc.).
• Author and revise documentation for the set-up, operation & cleaning of the equipment and processes.
• Ensure the production of batches in a GMP environment and work independently and efficiently according to the instructions of your manager.
• Perform sampling and in-process-controls on manufactured products.
• Participate in and support the qualification of equipment and the validation of processes.
• Comply with the production schedule.
• Generate maintenance requests in the event of equipment failure and follow up until production resumes.
• Analyse equipment failures and provide maintenance support in the event of intervention.
• Train new employees and act as a training reference (On the Job Qualified Trainer).
• Comply with the guidelines and instructions defined in the quality system.
• Comply with the safety and security rules.
• Report dangerous situations, near misses/incidents, and accidents that may occur on site to your direct manager and the EHS department

Experience / Education

• 2+ years' experience operating spray drying equipment in pharmaceutical production
• Professional bachelor’s degree in industrial processes, chemistry, agri-food, biochemistry, or equivalent.

 Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Strong experience with spray drying processes, to the level that you can train new employees to operate equipment to an autonomous level
• Thorough knowledge of GMP
• Fluent in English - French is advantageous
• Organized and rigorous, with strong interpersonal skills for teamwork.
• Clear communication with support departments.