Production Operative

DS Smith; Redditch; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

DS Smith Redditch is seeking an experienced Production Operative to join our packaging site on site. This role is not entry-level; you will operate machinery in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, help keep assets safe, efficient and high quality, and develop multi-skilled capability across production lines.

You will be trained with progression opportunities within a global packaging leader, with emphasis on safety, continuous improvement, and teamwork to hit production targets.

Qualifications

• Experience operating machinery in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong health and safety awareness in a factory setting.
• Capable of meeting production targets and quality standards.
• Good troubleshooting ability and a proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production machinery safely and efficiently.
• Maximise machine performance whilst minimising downtime and waste.
• Carrying out machine set-up, changeovers, adjustments, and basic fault-finding.
• Working across multiple production assets and developing multi-skilled capability.
• Performing routine cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance activities.
• Ensuring products consistently meet customer quality standards.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity.
• Collaborating with colleagues to meet production targets and business objectives.

Skills

Machinery operation

Health & Safety

Production targets

Troubleshooting

Team communication

Multi-skill development

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Production Operative to join our Packaging site in Redditch. This is not an entry-level position. We're seeking individuals with proven experience operating machinery within a fast-paced manufacturing environment who can quickly become a valued member of our production team. You'll play a key role in ensuring our manufacturing assets operate safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Ideally, you'll have experience working across multiple machine types and be confident adapting to different production processes. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning new skills, embraces continuous improvement, and is keen to develop their career within a global manufacturing business. Safety is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be responsible for operating equipment safely, following established Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), and contributing to a positive safety culture where risks and concerns are proactively identified and addressed.

What You'll Be Doing

• Operating and monitoring production machinery safely and efficiently
• Maximising machine performance whilst minimising downtime and waste
• Carrying out machine set‑up, changeovers, adjustments, and basic fault‑finding
• Working across multiple production assets and developing multi‑skilled capability
• Performing routine cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance activities
• Ensuring products consistently meet customer quality standards
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity
• Collaborating with colleagues to meet production targets and business objectives
• Maintaining accurate production and quality records

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience & Skills

• Previous experience operating machinery within a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment
• Strong understanding of health and safety within a factory setting
• Experience working to production targets and quality standards
• Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and take appropriate action
• Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn new machines and processes
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Flexible approach and willingness to develop multi‑skilled capability across production assets

Desirable Experience

• Experience within corrugated packaging, print, paper, converting, FMCG, or similar manufacturing environments
• Experience operating multiple machine types or production lines
• Mechanical aptitude and experience supporting basic machine maintenance activities
• Continuous improvement or lean manufacturing experience

Location: On Site- Redditch

Hours: 40 hours per week – Rotating shifts 06:00 – 14:30 Mon – Thurs / 06:00 – 12:00 Fri 14:00 – 22:30 Mon – Thurs / 11:30 – 17:30 Fri

Salary: starting at £33,372 with training and progression up to £35,202

About us

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!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith 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 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.