Tablet Press Operator

**Job title**: Tablet Press Operator

Barrs Pharmaceuticals, which is part of the Avacare Health Group, is looking for a Tablet Press/Roller Compactor Operator to join our team in Ndabeni, Cape Town.

Avacare Health is an integrated healthcare group serving the African region and beyond through the distribution and supply of pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, consumer health and medical equipment. Founded in 1996 by anesthesiologist, Dr Vikramkumar Naik, with a vision to make a difference to the people of Africa.

Our greatness lies in our commitment to bring affordable healthcare to the people of Africa, and for our products and services to be accessible in every part of Africa and beyond. Operating across 3 continents with presence in 22 countries, our innate passion and commitment to deliver timeously has helped us make our mark in the pharmaceutical and healthcare arena.

**Job Overview**:
**Purpose of the job**:Under the direction of the Pharmacist/Manager/Supervisor/, the Tablet Press Operator is responsible for all activities related to the compression of the product as per formula instructions. Also, responsible for adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) that are in effect assuring the quality and quantity of product produced.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Disassemble equipment: Disassembles the tabletting suite equipment using hand tools in order to clean equipment and to perform regular operational maintenance.
- Re-assemble equipment: Reassembles the tabletting suite equipment using hand tools after cleaning equipment and operational maintenance.
- Keep task records: Keep written records of the critical process parameters and critical quality attributes of the in-process materials, amount of material, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks.
- Adhere to standard procedures: Comply with current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs), follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs), and must be able to interpret, follow and complete scheduled production on time.
- Work in shifts: Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.
- Keep time accurately: Measure the passage of time, often with the assistance of a clock or stopwatch.
- Perform tabletting suite set up: Perform the loading and unloading of tabletting suite equipment.
- Oversee tabletting and roller compaction operations: Oversee the operations performed within the tabletting process, i.e., roller compaction and tablet compression process in order to produce in-process materials or tablets meeting predetermined critical quality attributes and to detect any deviations or problems, to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained.
- Ability to accurately use platform bench scales to weigh the blend and the bulk part finished or core tablets.
- Set up and operate equipment; if needed, adjust settings during operation.
- Perform in-process checks until the batch is complete i.e. hardness testing, weight variation, disintegration and friability tests, etc.
- Discharge core tablets into sanitary containers and calculate yield.
- Can be exposed to allergens such as powders, odours, dust, or particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.
- Ensure proper operation of equipment and promptly reports any concerns to management.
- Clean and sanitize equipment/mixer/hot air cabinet filters/exhaust cabinet filters prior to and/or after use; disassembling and reassembling as needed.
- Develop strong lines of communication with other co-workers to ensure plant efficiency.
- Must wear appropriate gear: hairnets, gloves, hearing protection, dust masks, etc.
- Maintain manufacturing rooms: Maintain the cleanliness of rooms before, during and when the manufacturing process is finished, and the product is completed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Batch records: Record in-real-time batch manufacturing actions, parameters, attributes, and events in the relevant documents. Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
- Analyse the core and coated tablets: Analyse the core and coated tablets in order to establish they are within predetermined critical quality attribute ranges.
- Operates tablet press and roller compactor machinery independently as well as within a team environment.
- Monitors tablet press or roller compactor operation periodically and reports any abnormal conditions to the manager.
- Trouble shoot in cases of tablets or in-process material failure to meet specifications.
- Assists the maintenance department in the servicing and maintenance activities of the tabletting equipment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

**Desired experience, essential knowledge & qualifications**:

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