Swale, England, United Kingdom
Onsite
Lead Performance. Drive Continuous Improvement. Deliver Manufacturing Excellence.
At DS Smith, we're redefining packaging for a changing world through innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. We're looking for an experienced and inspirational Operations Manager PM3 to join our leadership team at Kemsley Mill.
Reporting to the Senior Manufacturing Manager, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of one of our key manufacturing assets. You'll lead Operations and Process Engineering teams, working closely with Engineering colleagues to drive performance, maximise reliability, develop people, and deliver world-class manufacturing standards.
This role is ideal for a proven manufacturing leader with a strong continuous improvement mindset and a passion for developing high-performing teams in a complex process manufacturing environment
About the Role
As Operations Manager, you'll have overall accountability for the safety, quality, productivity, cost, and people performance of the PM3/PM6 asset. You'll translate business objectives into clear operational priorities, drive continuous improvement, and lead the development of both people and processes to ensure sustainable long-term success.
Working collaboratively across Operations, Engineering, Reliability, and support functions, you'll play a key role in shaping the future performance and strategic direction of the asset while contributing to wider site objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership & Performance
Safety, Quality & Environmental Excellence
Asset Reliability & Engineering Partnership
Financial & Business Performance
People Leadership & Capability Development
About You
We’re looking for a visible and engaging leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You’ll have a proven track record of delivering operational excellence through strong leadership, effective problem solving, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
Desirable Qualifications
Benefits
Additional benefits include:
Closing date: Friday, 30th October 2026
Note. This role is part of the paper reorganisation proposal and will be advertised internally for the relevant paper employees.
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 welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria
Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
