GMS Reliability Systems Lead

DS Smith; Sittingbourne; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in sustainable packaging solutions is seeking a GMS Reliability Systems Lead to enhance manufacturing reliability processes. This remote role involves travel across the UK and Europe, requiring a technically skilled leader to implement and develop reliability systems and capabilities. Candidates should have strong knowledge of reliability systems, training experience, and excellent communication skills. Join us in shaping a sustainable future!

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of reliability principles and systems.
• Experience in manufacturing or heavy industry.
• Proven track record in delivering technical training.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of GMS Reliability Systems.
• Provide training support to Mill Reliability Leaders.
• Analyze effectiveness of GMS Reliability elements.

Skills

Reliability principles

Technical training delivery

SAP Plant Maintenance

Communication

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent technical background

Tools

SAP Plant Maintenance

Job description

Overview

GMS Reliability Systems Lead

UK or Europe (With Travel)

To strengthen operational excellence across these sites, we are investing in reliability systems and capability. We’re now looking for a passionate, technically skilled SME – GMS Reliability Systems (Reliability Systems Champion) to help us drive long-term improvements in asset reliability, maintenance performance, and standardised systems.

This will be a Remote based role but will require travel both UK and Europe wide approximately 30-50% of the time, and a willingness to provide assistance 24/7 to manufacturing facilities.

The Opportunity

This role is central to the implementation, development, and maturity of our Global Manufacturing System (GMS) Reliability Pillar across EMEA mills. You will act as a Reliability Systems Champion, providing expertise, training, and technical support across a range of key stakeholders including local Mill Reliability Leaders (MRLs), Engineering, SAP Plant Maintenance, IT, Procurement, and Finance.

Your focus will be on building reliability systems capability at the mill level—coaching teams on structure and principles, supporting onboarding and gap closure, and guiding MRLs and reliability element champions to become subject matter experts in their own right.

You’ll play a vital role in embedding systems thinking, using tools like SAP-PM effectively, and supporting a cultural shift toward proactive, data-driven reliability performance.

Responsibilities

Systems Implementation & Capability Building

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of GMS Reliability Systems across DS Smith paper mills.
• Provide onboarding support and gap closure for Mill Reliability Leaders (MRLs), mentoring them in GMS structure, tools, and key concepts.
• Develop and deliver structured training programs, both on-site and remotely, to enhance site-level reliability expertise.

Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as the central point of contact for mills and corporate teams, collaborating with Engineering, SAP PM, IT, Finance, and Purchasing teams.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with mill and divisional leaders, including Engineering and Operations Managers.

Technical Guidance & Execution

• Analyze the effectiveness of GMS Reliability elements; formulate and lead action plans to close performance gaps.
• Monitor GMS Reliability Execution Metrics across sites, educate teams on results, and facilitate corrective actions via Integrated Action Plans (IAP).
• Champion the correct and consistent use of SAP-PM, ensuring accurate maintenance history and data quality for reliability analysis.

Strategic Development

• Guide the development and application of equipment criticality assessments across mills to prioritise resources and reliability efforts.
• Drive the creation and execution of robust, mill-specific equipment strategies that support long-term asset health and business goals.
• Promote systems that ensure mill teams are consistently “working on the right things at the right time.”

About you

We are looking for a technically credible, relationship-oriented expert with a passion for reliability systems and continuous improvement.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong working knowledge of reliability principles, systems, and elements—particularly within a structured framework like GMS, TPM, or RCM.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, process, or heavy industry environment—ideally in roles related to reliability, maintenance, or engineering systems.
• Proven track record in delivering technical training, building organisational capability, and mentoring colleagues.
• Proficient with SAP Plant Maintenance (or similar systems) and able to interpret performance data to inform reliability decisions.
• Confident communicator and facilitator with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Willing and able to travel across DS Smith sites in the UK and Europe on a regular basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent technical background.
• Experience working in a multi-site, multinational industrial organisation.
• Familiarity with the DS Smith Global Manufacturing System or equivalent operating model.

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!

“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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