Papermaking Machine Leader: Safety & CI

Total Marketing Support Limited; Kemsley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Income protection

Employee assistance program

Cycle to work scheme

Shopping discounts

Job summary

DS Smith is seeking a Machine Leader at Kemsley Mill to lead day‑to‑day operations from stock preparation to finished product. You will coach teams, drive improvements, and maintain safety, quality and productivity standards across papermaking processes.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, developing people and ensuring reliable operation. It includes coordinating with Senior Shift Manager, supporting shutdowns, and promoting a strong safety culture within a large manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the papermaking process.
• DCS (Distributed Control System) and QCS (Quality Control System) operational experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• Internal Permit Receiver training.
• Demonstrated safety leadership capability.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem‑solving ability.
• Experience within a papermaking or heavy manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing operational teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing safety systems and procedures.
• Experience in process troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Track record of driving operational performance improvements.
• Good knowledge of Manufacturing Business Systems (MBS).

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Lead, coach and develop operational teams to achieve safety, quality and production objectives.
• Drive machine performance and maximise efficiency across papermaking operations and stock preparation processes.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators across output, reliability, energy, water and chemical usage.
• Support effective communication across shifts and operational departments.
• Lead problem‑solving activities, fault finding and root cause investigations.
• Utilise SAP, operational systems and performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support planned shutdowns and operational recovery activities.
• Provide shift cover and operational leadership when required.
• Continuous Improvement Champion a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance safety, quality, efficiency and performance.
• Use operational and quality data to drive informed decision‑making.
• Support improvement projects and implementation of best practices.
• Coach team members in problem‑solving and performance improvement methodologies.
• Health, Safety & Environmental Excellence Demonstrate visible safety leadership and promote a strong safety‑first culture.
• Ensure compliance with risk assessments, permits, isolations and Safe Systems of Work (SSOW).
• Support investigations, risk assessments and corrective actions following incidents or operational losses.
• Ensure compliance with environmental standards and actively contribute to reducing DS Smith's environmental footprint.
• Maintain adherence to all site management systems, legal requirements and industry standards.

Skills

Papermaking

DCS/QCS

IOSH Safely

Permit Receiver

Safety leadership

Communication

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Manufacturing experience

MBS knowledge

Problem solving

Root cause analysis

Process troubleshooting

Continuous improvement

Tools

DCS/QCS systems

Job description

DS Smith is seeking a Machine Leader at Kemsley Mill to lead day‑to‑day operations from stock preparation to finished product. You will coach teams, drive improvements, and maintain safety, quality and productivity standards across papermaking processes.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, developing people and ensuring reliable operation. It includes coordinating with Senior Shift Manager, supporting shutdowns, and promoting a strong safety culture within a large manufacturing setting.