Shift Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Northampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension

Cycle to Work scheme

Training & development

Confidential support

Flexible working options

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Northampton is seeking an experienced Shift Manager to lead the production team on a daily shift, focusing on safety, throughput, and efficient operations. The role requires strong leadership, the ability to plan resources, and proactive problem solving within a paper and packaging manufacturing context.

You will work closely with engineering to ensure maintenance is carried out to plan and communicate performance and policy changes across the shift.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience leading a team within a paper, packaging or manufacturing environment.
• From a manufacturing process background.
• Lean manufacturing training (desirable).
• Organised and able to prioritise in a fast-paced shift.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage shift team, ensuring safety and performance.
• Plan and coordinate resources to maximise throughput.
• Monitor performance and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate maintenance work with engineering to minimise downtime.
• Maintain effective communication across departments and with Sales/Planning.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Minimum Grade 4 English and Maths

Tools

Cobis

Job description

Join Our Team at Smurfit Westrock! Are you searching for a workplace that values you and your growth? At Smurfit Westrock, we’re committed to sustainability, employee well-being, and personal development.

About Us

We are a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, the well-being of our communities, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We support our team members to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment that values diversity.

The Role

An opportunity has arisen at Northampton for an experienced leader to join the Production Team as a Shift Manager. We are looking for a safety focused, highly motivated, and driven individual who can demonstrate a positive can-do attitude together with excellent organisation and leadership skills.

• To help deliver our vision of safety being a core value for all our employees.
• Managing the people resources within area of responsibility including recruitment, onboarding, appraisal, performance management, continual training and development and any other employee relations issues.
• Monitor the performance of the team, individuals and equipment and take ‘the right’ corrective and preventative actions and to ensure the actions are fully embedded within the business.
• Day-to-day management of factory flow by forward planning and mitigation of bottlenecks (manning, machine, processes etc.) to maximise throughput of the Plant each day.
• Establish and maintain the regular feedback loops and information flow between the corrugator, conversion, despatch and customer services.
• Maintain eeffective communication processes that are in place to ensure that the shift is up to date with business performance, policy and process changes and to ensure opportunities for giving and receiving feedback are available.
• To work closely with the engineering team to ensure key maintenance work is completed in pre-agreed priority order, including being proactive in taking opportunities to service certain elements of the machine when not in use.
• To work with the department heads for Safety and Quality to ensure all processes are properly rolled out and embedded within the team and that their duties are fulfilled with regards to layered auditing.
• To work closely with the Sales and Planning teams to ensure that customer service is at the centre of all decisions made.
• Being able to accept and embrace change and to influence others in a positive and engaging manner.

successful candidate will be:

• Minimum Grade 4 (or equivalent) in English and Maths
• Able to demonstrate solid leadership skills and take ownership for their team members (essential)
• Previous experience in leading a team within the paper, packaging and manufacturing industry (essential)
• From a manufacturing process background (essential)
• Lean manufacturing trained (desirable)
• Organised in a fast-paced environment
• Able to prioritise workload to achieve deadlines
• Self-motivated
• Have good attention to detail
• Able to use and pick up computer systems including Cobis (essential)
• Target driven
• Knowledgeable in key processes within the general operation and Logistics

What We Offer

• Competitive salary & benefits, including annual leave, pension, and a Cycle to Work scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Flexible working options and family-friendly policies
• Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer)

Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.