Operations Manager PM3

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

• Lead safe, efficient operations and deliver production targets.
• Translate business objectives into clear operational priorities.
• Drive performance through effective review processes and continuous improvement.
• Embed Standard Work, 5S, and operational excellence across the asset.

Safety, Quality & Environmental Excellence

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all standards.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, housekeeping, and environmental performance.
• Reduce waste, process variation, and customer complaints through continuous improvement.

Asset Reliability & Engineering Partnership

• Partner with Engineering to improve reliability, maintenance, and asset performance.
• Support shutdowns, maintenance programmes, and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Use Root Cause Analysis to eliminate recurring operational and equipment losses.

Financial & Business Performance

• Manage operational budgets and key cost drivers to achieve performance targets.
• Deliver productivity improvements, cost savings, and operational efficiencies.
• Support capital projects and business improvement initiatives.

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operational team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Build organisational capability through talent development and succession planning.

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

• Significant leadership experience within a continuous manufacturing or process industry environment.
• Proven experience managing operational performance, safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Experience leading and developing teams through other leaders.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, operational excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working collaboratively across Operations, Engineering, and support functions.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering financial performance improvements.

Desirable Qualifications

• ,engineering, manufacturing, or management qualification.
• Experience within the paper industry or a similar large-scale process manufacturing environment.
• Experience delivering major change, transformation, or improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of structured problem solving, reliability improvement, and operational excellence tools.

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