Conversion Team Leader

DS Smith; Louth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

DS Smith in Louth is looking for a Conversion Team Leader to manage the D Shift in our conversion area. You will lead a growing team, coach operators, and ensure safe, efficient production aligned with customer requirements.

The role involves hands-on machine operation and staff development in a 24/7, 12-hour shift pattern. You will drive improvements, sustain high quality standards, and support new starters as the Conversion operation expands.

Qualifications

• Proven Team Leader or supervisory experience in manufacturing/production.
• Ability to coach and develop others.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and quality standards.
• Hands-on leadership with a practical approach.
• Positive, proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support a team within the Conversion production area.
• Hands-on with day-to-day machine operations, setting safety and efficiency standards.
• Allocate labour and resources to meet production plans and customer requirements.
• Coach, train, and develop operators and assistants to build capability and engagement.
• Ensure adherence to Health & Safety, Quality, Housekeeping, and Environmental standards.
• Monitor performance, identify issues, and drive corrective actions to maintain flow and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction and efficiency gains.
• Communicate with Shift Managers, Engineering, and Support Functions to resolve challenges.
• Support new starters and skill development as the team expands.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching

Health & safety

Quality standards

Leadership development

Problem solving

Teamwork

Job description

Conversion Team Leader - D Shift

Location: DS Smith, Louth Northfields

Function: Operations / Production

Shift: Continental Shift (12 hour shifts covering 24/7, 2x 12hr days, 2x 12hr nights)

Duration: 6 months Secondment (potential for extension)

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Conversion Team Leader to join our team here at Louth, at a time of growth and expansion within our Conversion area. Conversion is a critical part of our manufacturing process, where corrugated board is transformed into finished, customer-ready packaging. This includes activities such as cutting, printing, folding, gluing, and finishing products to exact customer specifications. As a Conversion Team Leader, you will play a key role in ensuring this process runs safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. This role is ideal for an experienced production team member or current Team Leader who is looking to take the next step in their leadership journey. You will have hands‑on involvement in production while also being responsible for leading, coaching, and developing a growing team of operators and assistants.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support a team within the Conversion production area
• Be hands‑on with day‑to‑day machine operations, setting the standard for safe and effective working
• Allocate labour and resources to meet production plans, output targets, and customer requirements
• Coach, train, and develop operators and assistants to build capability, flexibility, and engagement
• Ensure strict adherence to Health & Safety, Quality, Housekeeping, and Environmental standards
• Monitor performance, identify issues, and support corrective actions to maintain flow and efficiency
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction, efficiency improvements, and best practice
• Communicate effectively with Shift Managers, Engineering, and Support Functions to resolve operational challenges
• Support new starters and skill development as the Conversion team continues to expand

What We're Looking For

• Proven Team Leader or supervisory experience (Desirable - in a manufacturing or production environment)
• Ability to lead people through coaching
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and quality standards
• Ability to lead by example with a hands‑on, practical approach
• Positive, proactive, and solutions‑focused mindset
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
• Desire to develop others and build a high‑performing team
• Willingness to learn and grow within a leadership role

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to step into or further develop a leadership role within a global, market‑leading organisation
• Be part of an expanding Conversion operation with real career progression opportunities
• Gain valuable experience in people leadership, production management, and continuous improvement
• Work in a supportive environment where safety, development, and improvement are key priorities

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! 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.