Operations Support Manager PM6

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

• Support day-to-day operational performance across the asset.
• Monitor performance data, identify losses, and drive improvement actions.
• Lead structured problem solving and Root Cause Analysis activities.
• Promote Standard Work, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Safety, Quality & Environmental Excellence

• Champion a strong safety culture and high operational standards.
• Support compliance with Safe Systems of Work, quality requirements, and environmental standards.
• Drive 5S, housekeeping, and waste reduction initiatives.

Asset Reliability & Operational Support

• Work collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, and Process teams to improve asset reliability and performance.
• Support maintenance planning, shutdown activities, and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Help identify and eliminate recurring equipment and operational issues.

Cost & Performance Management

• Monitor operational performance, resource utilisation, and key cost drivers.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimise operating costs.
• Support delivery of operational budgets and performance targets.

People & Team Development

• Coach and support operational teams to achieve high performance.
• Encourage ownership, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Support training, skills development, and operational capability building.

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

• Experience in a continuous manufacturing or process industry environment.
• Previous experience in an operational, supervisory, or manufacturing leadership role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing performance measures, operational standards, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience using operational data to identify losses, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Knowledge of Root Cause Analysis, problem solving techniques, Standard Work, and 5S principles.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across multiple functions and teams.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Technical, engineering, manufacturing, or management qualification.
• Experience within the paper industry or other large-scale process manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading or supporting operational transformation and improvement projects.
• Knowledge of manufacturing performance improvement tools and methodologies.

Benefits

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

• Pension scheme

• Life assurance

• Income protection

• Employee assistance program

• Cycle to work scheme

• Shopping discounts

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