Site Chief Executive — Lean Transformation Leader

DS Smith; Ely; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DS Smith Ely site is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a flagship Retail Marketing manufacturing operation. You will deliver safe, high-performing and profitable execution, inspiring a management team and driving continuous improvement across all functions.

The role requires a proven track record in leading large teams, transforming operations, and delivering sustainable performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Proven track record of leading large, multi-disciplinary teams through engagement, coaching and development.
• Demonstrable success leading business transformation and sustainable performance improvements.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with responsibility for budgets and performance.
• Experience driving operational excellence and continuous improvement programmes.
• Strong strategic planning, resource management and decision-making capability.
• Experience using KPIs and performance metrics to improve operations.
• Lean Manufacturing experience; Six Sigma knowledge advantageous but not essential.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership to the Site Management Team and cultivate an engaged, accountable culture.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing with best-in-class standards.
• Develop, coach and empower leaders and colleagues to achieve personal and business objectives.
• Lead organisational change, embedding new ways of working and building capability across functions.
• Drive operational excellence through lean principles and continuous improvement.
• Deliver productivity improvements and maximise asset utilisation with quality and service focus.
• Utilise data, KPIs and performance metrics to drive informed decision making and accountability.
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service and Supply Chain to optimise commercial performance.
• Manage site financial performance, budgets and resources for sustainable profitable growth.
• Share best practices across DS Smith manufacturing sites.

Skills

Senior leadership

Transformational change

Lean manufacturing

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Six Sigma

Change management

Job description

DS Smith Ely site is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a flagship Retail Marketing manufacturing operation. You will deliver safe, high-performing and profitable execution, inspiring a management team and driving continuous improvement across all functions.

The role requires a proven track record in leading large teams, transforming operations, and delivering sustainable performance improvements.