Swale, England, United Kingdom
Onsite
Drive Performance. Support Operations. Champion Continuous Improvement.
At DS Smith, we're redefining packaging for a changing world through innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. We're looking for a proactive and hands-on Operations Support Manager PM6 to join our team at Kemsley Mill.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you'll play a key role in supporting the day-to-day performance of the asset, ensuring operational priorities are executed effectively while driving improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost. Working closely with Operations, Engineering, and Process teams, you'll help create a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across the operation.
About the Role
As Operations Support Manager, you'll provide visible operational leadership across PM3/PM6, supporting Senior Shift Managers, Machine Leaders, and operational teams to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient performance. You'll analyse operational data, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure actions are implemented and sustained to achieve business objectives.
This is an ideal opportunity for an aspiring manufacturing leader who thrives on problem-solving, coaching teams, and driving operational excellence in a fast-paced process manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
Safety, Quality & Environmental Excellence
Asset Reliability & Operational Support
Cost & Performance Management
People & Team Development
About You
We’re looking for an engaged and visible manufacturing professional who enjoys working closely with operational teams to improve performance, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement. You’ll have a passion for operational excellence and a track record of delivering results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
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
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