CAD Operator

DS Smith Europe; Louth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Income protection

Employee assistance program

Cycle to work scheme

Shopping discounts

Job summary

DS Smith is seeking a CAD/CAM Operator to join the Design Team at Ralegh (Manby). This role offers hands‑on learning, training and a long‑term career within DS Smith as we transfer specialist knowledge ahead of 2027 retirement.

You will design flatbed and rotary cutting dies from customer drawings, collaborating with production teams while ensuring quality, accuracy and on‑time delivery. Training and mentoring are provided for long‑term career development.

Qualifications

• Experience in CAD/CAM or technical drawing is beneficial.
• Ability to understand and interpret drawings and specifications.
• Willingness to learn, develop new skills and adapt in a manufacturing environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work.

Responsibilities

• Produce CAD/CAM designs for flatbed and rotary cutting dies from drawings and specs.
• Interpret customer requirements and translate into manufacturing-ready outputs.
• Prepare and process CAD/CAM data to production standards.
• Distribute design information to production departments.
• Collaborate with customers, production teams and Team Leader to meet deadlines.
• Perform quality checks to ensure designs meet specifications.
• Identify and report quality issues; support corrective actions.
• Support continuous improvement and monitor performance against targets.
• Maintain accurate records to support manufacturing processes.
• Adhere to Health & Safety policies and keep a safe workspace.

Skills

CAD/CAM

Technical drawing

Engineering

Manufacturing

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Shape Your Future with DS Smith

We're looking for our next CAD/CAM Operator to join the Design Team at Ralegh (Manby). This is more than just a job opportunity; it's a chance to learn a specialist skill, develop valuable technical expertise, and build a long-term career with DS Smith.

As part of a planned succession and knowledge-transfer programme, you'll work closely with experienced colleagues, gaining hands‑on experience and learning the role from the ground up. This unique opportunity has been created to support the transfer of specialist knowledge ahead of the retirement of a valued team member in 2027.

We welcome applications from both experienced candidates and those at the beginning of their career journey who are eager to learn, develop and grow within a manufacturing environment. If you have strong computer skills, a keen eye for detail and a positive attitude, we'll provide the training and support needed to help you succeed.

About the Role

As a CAD/CAM Operator, you will play a key role in transforming customer requirements into precise manufacturing solutions. Working closely with customers, production teams and colleagues across the business, you will use drawings, specifications and technical information to design flatbed and rotary cutting dies ready for manufacture.

This role requires attention to detail, a methodical approach and a passion for continuous improvement. You'll help ensure our products meet the highest standards of quality, accuracy and efficiency while contributing to the ongoing development of our design and manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce CAD/CAM designs for flatbed and rotary cutting dies using customer drawings, specifications and technical information.
• Interpret customer requirements and accurately translate these into manufacturing‑ready outputs.
• Prepare and process CAD/CAM data in line with customer and production requirements.
• Distribute design and manufacturing information to relevant production departments.
• Work closely with customers, production colleagues and the Team Leader to ensure projects are completed accurately and on time.
• Carry out quality checks on completed designs to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Identify, report and support the resolution of quality issues and non‑conformities.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations that support continuous improvement initiatives across the department.
• Monitor performance against production targets and support operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure critical information is available to support manufacturing processes.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety policies, procedures and best practices.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment.
• Support wider business objectives through additional departmental duties as required.

About You

We're looking for someone who enjoys problem‑solving, embraces learning opportunities and takes pride in delivering high‑quality work.

Whether you're already experienced in CAD/CAM or looking to start a career in a technical manufacturing environment, you'll be motivated to learn, willing to develop new skills, and committed to continuous improvement. Full training and mentoring will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a long‑term career with DS Smith.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Comfortable using computers and learning new software systems.
• Methodical, organised and able to work accurately under deadlines.
• Able to understand and interpret technical drawings and specifications, or keen to develop these skills.
• Detail‑oriented with a strong focus on quality and accuracy.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities whilst achieving planned targets.
• A confident communicator who can build effective relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes and ways of working.
• Reliable, self‑motivated and eager to develop within a technical manufacturing environment.
• Committed to continuous improvement and personal development.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in CAD/CAM, technical drawing, engineering, manufacturing or a similar production environment would be advantageous.
• Experience using CAD software or other technical computer systems would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and production workflows is desirable.
• Strong computer literacy and the ability to learn new systems are essential.
• A positive attitude, attention to detail and willingness to learn from experienced colleagues are key to success in the role.

Benefits

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Employee assistance program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Shopping discounts

Location: Ralegh (Manby)
Working Pattern: Day Shift
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Full Time

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are 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!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

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

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