Flexographic Print Operative

DS Smith; Belper CP; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DS Smith pension scheme

Death in service life assurance

Cycle to work scheme

On-site canteen

Free eye test and flu vaccines

Job summary

DS Smith is seeking an experienced wide web flexographic printer for our Belper site. You will operate, set up and maintain flexographic presses to meet quality and efficiency targets, while prioritising safety and waste reduction.

The role demands attention to detail, the ability to work as part of a production team, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a busy packaging environment.

Qualifications

• Puts safety first and follows SSOW and company procedures.
• Proven experience operating wide web flexographic printers.
• Strong knowledge of print processes, colour management and quality standards.
• Experience with print fault finding and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Good communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for own and others' health and safety at work according to SSOW.
• Raise unsafe acts immediately and report incidents to management.
• Operate and optimise wide web flexographic presses safely and efficiently.
• Set up printing jobs including inks, plates and press settings.
• Ensure print quality meets customer specifications and standards.
• Monitor colour consistency, registration and press performance.
• Troubleshoot issues to minimise downtime and waste.
• Complete routine maintenance and housekeeping for equipment reliability.
• Collaborate with production, quality and maintenance teams.
• Support continuous improvement for productivity and efficiency.
• Maintain accurate production records.

Skills

Safety first

Printing press operation

Colour management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Decision making

Job description

Flexographic Print Operative Salary: Starting £32,950, raising to £39,863 once trained Hours: Working a 3-shift pattern (6am to 2pm, 10pm to 6am, 2pm to 10pm)

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and accomplished wide web flexographic printer to join our team at our Belper site. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled print professional who takes pride in producing high-quality work, maintaining excellent machine performance, and driving continuous improvement. You will play a key role in ensuring that customer requirements are met through the efficient operation of our flexographic printing equipment, delivering exceptional print quality while maximising productivity and minimising waste. Health & Safety is our number one priority and therefore you will be accountable for your own health and the health and safety of others, operating in line with safe systems of work (SSOW) and company procedures, immediately raising any unsafe acts with those concerned and reporting health and safety incidents to management, to ultimately help create a safe working environment for all. As part of a highly skilled production team, you will be responsible for setting up, operating, monitoring, and maintaining the printing press to consistently achieve quality, efficiency, and performance targets.

Key responsibilities

• To be accountable for own and others health and safety whilst at work, operating in line with SSOW (safe systems of work) and company procedures to enable a safe working environment.
• To raise any unsafe acts seen immediately with individual(s) concerned and immediate reporting of health and safety incidents to management.
• Operate and optimise wide web flexographic printing presses safely and efficiently.
• Set up printing jobs, including inks, plates, sleeves, anilox rolls, substrates, and press settings.
• Ensure print quality meets customer specifications and company standards.
• Monitor colour consistency, print registration, and overall press performance throughout production runs.
• Troubleshoot print and mechanical issues to minimise downtime and waste.
• Complete routine maintenance, cleaning, and housekeeping activities to ensure equipment reliability.
• Work closely with colleagues across production, quality, and maintenance departments.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate production records and documentation.

About you

Minimum requirements

• Puts safety first
• Proven experience operating printing presses within a manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Strong understanding of print processes, colour management, and print quality standards.
• Experience with print fault finding and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Positive, proactive, and safety-focused approach.
• Good understanding of production performance measures, waste reduction, and efficiency improvement.

Preferred requirements

• Knowledge of CI flexographic presses.
• Mechanical aptitude and first-line maintenance experience.
• Experience working within Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement environments.
• Relevant print industry qualifications.

Benefits

• DS Smith pension scheme
• Death in service life assurance
• Company sick pay scheme
• Income protection
• Employee assistance programme
• Occupational Health including physiotherapy, and virtual GP service
• Cycle to work scheme via salary sacrifice
• Shopping discounts
• Electric car scheme via salary sacrifice
• Free eye test and flu vaccines
• Employee recognition scheme
• Opportunities to progress within the business
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Discretionary bonus
• Free on-site car park parking
• On site canteen

About the company

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 60,000 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! As the journey continues of bringing together the strengths of both organisations, during your candidate experience you may engage with our colleagues from International Paper! You could visit an International Paper or DS Smith site or office.