Quality Assurance Technician: Right-First-Time Champion

DS Smith; Kilburn CP; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme, life assurance and

income protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

DS Smith in Belper is seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Technician to help maintain high standards across manufacturing operations. You will work with production teams to ensure products meet customer expectations, support site quality systems, and uphold product safety and right-first-time manufacturing.

Ideal candidates have prior experience in manufacturing or quality roles, strong attention to detail, and solid analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, production, or quality environment is essential.
• Strong commitment to health and safety and leading by example.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Effective communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to coach, support and develop colleagues.
• Knowledge of quality standards, auditing processes, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Putting Health & Safety Above All Else, ensuring full compliance with site standards and requirements.
• Managing and processing customer complaints in line with site quality procedures.
• Conducting PACE performance and paper sampling, testing, and reporting to support site and business KPIs.
• Participating in weekly PACE review meetings, analysing performance data, identifying trends, and supporting corrective actions where required.
• Providing technical, hygiene, and quality support across the site.
• Maintaining and calibrating testing equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Ensuring high standards of housekeeping and hygiene within the Quality Control Laboratory and office areas.
• Supporting new product introductions (NPI), customer trials, internal trials, and watch orders.
• Carrying out routine audits and inspections, identifying non-conformances and supporting corrective and preventative actions.
• Assisting with rework activities and the management of quarantined stock.
• Supporting internal, external, and customer audits.
• Deputising for the Quality Assurance Manager when required.
• Championing product safety, quality excellence, and a right-first-time culture throughout the site.
• Representing DS Smith professionally during customer interactions and site visits.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Quality environment

Attention to detail

Health and safety

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Job description

DS Smith in Belper is seeking a proactive Quality Assurance Technician to help maintain high standards across manufacturing operations. You will work with production teams to ensure products meet customer expectations, support site quality systems, and uphold product safety and right-first-time manufacturing.

Ideal candidates have prior experience in manufacturing or quality roles, strong attention to detail, and solid analytical and communication skills.