Production Manager

DS Smith Plc; West Stow; Presencial; GBP 60.000 - 80.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive salary

Qualifying Sick Pay scheme

Pension scheme & Life insurance

Share Save scheme

Income Protection

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP

Cycle to Work and shopping discounts

Descripción de la vacante

DS Smith Plc is seeking a Production Manager for our Fordham site. You will lead multi-shift conversion teams, drive continuous improvement, maximise asset utilisation and ensure safe, efficient production that meets quality standards and customer deadlines.

Collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Cluster teams, you will focus on reducing waste, improving changeovers and embedding standard operating practices. A hands-on leader with strong data skills will thrive here.

Formación

• Experience leading teams in a corrugated/high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of conversion processes including printing, die-cutting and folding.
• Data-driven leader with multi-shift operations experience.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Ability to prioritise and problem solve.

Responsabilidades

• Lead, manage and develop multi-shift conversion teams, driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, cost and engagement.
• Ensure customer orders are delivered on time, in full and to specification, balancing capacity, quality and cost.
• Work closely with the Engineering Manager to ensure equipment is fully calibrated, well maintained and operating to standard, including preventive maintenance planning.
• Optimise conversion processes including printing, die-cutting and folding through effective control of ink usage, tooling condition, feed rates and changeovers.
• Analyse KPIs and performance data, including waste, downtime and quality metrics, to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain and Cluster teams to optimise machine utilisation and production scheduling.
• Ensure effective preparation and organisation of inks, stereos and tooling to support efficient production.
• Develop team capability through coaching, training, performance reviews and structured development plans.
• Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure adherence to quality standards and to reduce customer complaints.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Data-driven

Communication

Prioritisation

Problem solving

Team management

Herramientas

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Descripción del empleo

Production Manager - Fordham

About the role

As Production Manager, you will be responsible for leading the site’s Production operation including Conversion and Corrugator, managing multiple processes that directly influence customer quality, service and cost. Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead multi-shift teams across a range of activities in a dynamic and customer-focused manufacturing environment.

You will have full accountability for operational performance, ensuring production plans are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. The role demands strong organisational skills, the ability to balance competing priorities, and a hands‑on leadership style that drives ownership and accountability at all levels.

Working in close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Operational Excellence and Cluster teams, you will focus on maximising asset utilisation, improving changeovers, reducing waste and driving continuous improvement. You will be expected to develop capable, engaged teams, embed standard operating practices and use data and KPIs to drive sustained performance improvement.

This role is ideal for a resilient and commercially minded production leader who enjoys managing complexity, improving processes and delivering results through strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop multi-shift conversion teams, driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, cost and engagement
• Ensure customer orders are delivered on time, in full and to specification, balancing capacity, quality and cost
• Work closely with the Engineering Manager to ensure equipment is fully calibrated, well maintained and operating to standard, including effective preventive maintenance planning
• Optimise conversion processes including printing, die‑cutting and folding through effective control of ink usage, tooling condition, feed rates and changeovers
• Analyse KPIs and performance data, including waste, downtime and quality metrics, to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain and Cluster teams to optimise machine utilisation and production scheduling
• Ensure effective preparation and organisation of inks, stereos and tooling to support efficient production
• Develop team capability through coaching, training, performance reviews and structured development plans
• Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure adherence to quality standards and to reduce customer complaints

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading teams in a corrugated or high‑volume manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of conversion processes including printing, die‑cutting and folding
• A confident, data‑driven people leader with experience managing multi‑shift operations
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficient at using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Ability to prioritise and problem solve

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary
• Qualifying Sick Pay scheme
• Pension scheme & Life insurance
• Share Save scheme
• Income Protection
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP, Occupational Health & free Flu vaccine
• Cycle to Work and shopping discounts

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.

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