APC Senior Engineer

DS Smith; Sittingbourne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions provider in Sittingbourne is seeking an APC Senior Engineer to lead automation and process control initiatives across manufacturing sites. Key responsibilities include developing automation strategies, leading projects, and collaborating with engineering teams. Ideal candidates will have a degree in engineering and strong leadership skills. Competitive salary and a hybrid work model are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme & Life insurance

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work and shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with automation technologies, digital tools, and systems integration.
• Experience with change management and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a roadmap for automation strategy.
• Oversee automation projects from concept to completion.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to execute automation opportunities.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement in automation.
• Lead change management for new systems.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Automation technologies

Analytical mindset

Education

Degree in Engineering, Automation, or related discipline

Job description

Overview

APC Senior Engineer

This role can be based from any location (Hybrid)

Minimum 30% international travel requirement

At DS Smith, we’re redefining packaging for a changing world — and automation plays a key role in that transformation.

We’re now looking for an APC Senior Engineer to lead and deliver automation and process control initiatives across our manufacturing sites. This pivotal role will be instrumental in driving digitalisation, improving operational efficiency, and supporting our vision of a smarter, more sustainable future.

Working closely with engineering, production, and IT teams, you’ll develop and implement a comprehensive automation strategy, identifying opportunities to optimise our operations through innovative technologies. You’ll act as a key liaison between technical experts and business stakeholders, ensuring that every automation project is strategically aligned and successfully delivered.

This is a role for a forward-thinking engineer who can combine strong technical expertise with excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver automation strategy: Define and implement a roadmap that enhances productivity and efficiency across DS Smith sites.
• Lead automation projects: Oversee implementation from concept to completion, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with engineering, operations, maintenance, IT, and digital teams to identify and execute automation opportunities.
• Drive digital transformation: Act as a champion for innovation and continuous improvement, using data-driven insights to guide decision-making.
• Change management: Lead and support stakeholders through the adoption of new systems, ensuring smooth transitions and engagement.
• Performance analysis: Assess and report on the impact of automation initiatives, identifying further opportunities for optimisation.
• Training and communication: Support local teams through training programmes and maintain strong communication channels with all stakeholders.

About you

• Degree in Engineering, Automation, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and collaboration capabilities.
• Familiarity with automation technologies, digital tools, and systems integration.
• Experience with change management and stakeholder engagement.
• Analytical mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary
• Qualifying Sick Pay scheme
• Pension scheme & Life insurance
• Share Save scheme
• Income Protection
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP, Occupational Health & free Flu vaccine
• Cycle to Work and shopping discounts

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.