Machine Systems Manager

DS Smith; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions provider seeks a Machine Systems Manager in the City of Westminster, UK. This role involves developing and optimizing automated solutions within production and packaging lines. The successful candidate will lead a strategy for innovation in automation, collaborate with stakeholders, and act as a technical advisor in customer dialogues. A Master's or Bachelor's in a relevant field is required, along with strong project management and collaborative skills. The position offers a chance to drive impactful improvements across the EMEA market.

Qualifications

• Able to define and drive a D&I vision on Automation for Innovation Concepts.
• Good understanding of packaging machinery and material science.
• Fluent in English, any other European languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the Automation for Innovation Concepts strategy.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to create future state improvements.
• Act as technical advisor in key customer dialogues.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and downtime through automation.

Skills

Automation strategy development

Packaging line machinery

Project management

Collaboration skills

Technical advisory

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in automation, mechatronics, electrical engineering or equivalent

Job description

The Machine Systems Manager leads the work for developing, implementing, and optimizing automated solutions within production and packaging lines for innovative packaging concepts mainly for the EMEA market. The role requires packing line machine experience, understanding of industrial processes, and the ability to drive improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability. By deeply understanding operational constraints, line configurations, and automation needs, the role helps shaping new concepts that are not only creative but also implementable and commercially viable. This is typically made with frequent contacts on machine and technology supplier side as well as contacts directly with relevant persons on the Customer and internal DS Smith side. With excellent communication skills and collaborative mindset, the role acts as a trusted advisor - enabling faster deployment of new formats, unlocking efficiency improvements and contributing directly to strong partnerships with key customers through technical credibility and problem-solving.,

Responsibilities

• Define, promote and drive the Automation for Innovation Concepts strategy aligned with the overall strategic innovation agenda relevant for R&D.
• Work with the relevant matrix of internal and external stakeholders in mainly Europe to understand the current state of customers supply chains, business drivers, manufacturing operations to create commercially viable future state improvements, and create a strategy to achieve competitive advantage through appropriate deployment of automation & mechanisation.
• Be a driving part of process capability improvements in Automation at our customers, either with modifications on existing or propose new lines.
• Work closely together with Central, regional SMI organisations and with major customers to understand their current automation situation and how to translate it into project definitions for Automation for Innovation concepts.
• Act as technical advisor in key customer dialogues. Participate in commercial discussions with key accounts to offer mechanisation guidance, validate feasibility and build trust as solution-oriented technical partner.
• Identify opportunities and bring ides for how to reduce waste, downtime, or complexity through automation, smarter line configuration and/or equipment improvements for concepts in scope.
• On a regular basis engage with European design managers and sub-regional innovation teams.
• Be the 'front face' of R&D for Automation for Innovation Concepts with key customers, internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in automation, mechatronics, electrical engineering, or equivalent.
• Able to define and drive a D&I vision on Automation for Innovation Concepts, anticipates coming trends and to deliver real value for key customers and the wider 80's customer network in EMEA.
• Good understanding of the packaging machinery, material science, scientific curiosity with pragmatic execution. Willing to roll up sleeves when the work demands it.
• Ability to bring packaging line experts together from the Sub-regions to create a community that deliver solutions across EMEA.
• Strong project management skills, leading automation projects from requirements to commissioning.
• Fluent in English, any other European languages are a plus.