Senior Digital Process Engineer

DS Smith; Sittingbourne; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in sustainable packaging is seeking a Senior Digital Process Engineer to lead digital transformation in paper manufacturing. This remote-based position involves optimizing processes and using AI to improve efficiency. Candidates should have a strong background in process engineering and experience with both Operational and Information Technology. A flexible travel schedule across Europe is required, along with excellent communication skills. Attractive benefits and a competitive salary are offered.

Benefits

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

Qualifications

• Strong background in process engineering within complex manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record of delivering digital improvement initiatives.
• Experience with both Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).
• Familiarity with AI tools and data analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret real-time data for operational improvements.
• Strong project management skills with experience in technology commissioning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Flexibility to travel across Europe (at least 80% of the time).

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage process engineering digital tools.
• Use AI tools to assess data patterns for operational reliability.
• Work with teams to identify and resolve process issues.
• Create and lead training programs on digital tools.
• Set performance metrics to measure success.
• Manage projects aimed at ongoing improvements.
• Support deployment of process engineering digital initiatives.

Skills

Process engineering

Digital improvement initiatives

Operational Technology (OT)

Information Technology (IT)

Data analysis

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

AI tools

Data analytics platforms

Job description

Senior Digital Process Engineer

Remote based role

Join us as a Senior Digital Process Engineer and shape the future of digital transformation in the paper manufacturing industry.

In this pivotal role, you’ll lead initiatives to increase efficiency, optimize processes, and embed advanced digital tools — including AI — into our operations. You’ll play a key part in commissioning and launching new projects, ensuring seamless implementation and successful start-up. Acting as the link between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), you’ll harness real-time data to drive smarter decision-making and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

While this is a remote based role you will be required to travel at least 80% of your time across Europe, you’ll partner closely with our sites, sharing expertise, supporting teams on the ground, and delivering impactful change that enhances performance across our network. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer who thrives at the intersection of technology, data, and manufacturing.

Role Responsibilities:

• Implementing and managing the process engineering deployed digital tools to ensure smooth data integration across facilities and align OT with IT.
• Using AI tools to assess data patterns and improve maintenance practices, resulting in greater operational reliability.
• Working with various teams to identify and resolve process issues, using data insights to create practical solutions.
• Creating and leading training programs for staff on digital tools and data analytics.
• Setting up performance metrics to measure the success of initiatives and sharing results with leadership.
• Managing projects aimed at ongoing improvements that follow sound industry practices and make use of technological advances.
• Actively support sites on deployment of different process engineering digital initiatives by helping them as required.

Person Spec:

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong background in process engineering, ideally within the paper manufacturing industry (or similar complex manufacturing environments)
• Proven track record of delivering digital improvement initiatives, such as process optimization, automation, or data-driven decision-making
• Experience with both Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT), with the ability to bridge the two effectively
• Familiarity with AI tools, data analytics, and digital platforms to improve efficiency and performance
• Demonstrated ability to collect, interpret, and apply real-time data to drive operational improvements
• Strong project management skills, with experience leading commissioning, implementation, or start-up of new technologies
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and gain buy-in across different levels of the business
• Flexibility to travel across Europe (at least 80% of the time) to support site teams, projects, and digital rollouts

Desirable Skills & Attributes

• Previous experience in multi-site project delivery within a European or global business environment
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to turn complex data into actionable insights

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!

“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 welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.”