Production Manager – Corrugator
About the role
As Production Manager – Corrugator, you will hold end-to-end responsibility for one of the most critical assets on site. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will lead large, multi-skilled shift teams operating in a fast-paced, safety-critical manufacturing environment, where performance, reliability and quality are paramount.
You will be accountable for delivering consistent operational excellence across safety, quality, cost, delivery and people, ensuring the corrugator operates at optimum efficiency while meeting demanding customer requirements. This role requires a strong balance of technical understanding, data-driven decision-making and visible leadership on the shop floor.
Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Technical teams, you will play a key role in improving asset reliability, optimising material usage and embedding standardised working practices. You will be expected to challenge existing ways of working, drive continuous improvement using Lean and DS Smith Way principles, and develop the capability and engagement of your teams.
This is a high-impact leadership role suited to an experienced manufacturing leader who thrives in a complex, high-output environment and is motivated by improving performance through people, process and disciplined execution.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strong, visible leadership to multi-shift teams, driving high performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost and engagement
Ensure the corrugator operates safely and efficiently, delivering customer requirements on time, in full and to specification
Work in close partnership with the Engineering Manager to maximise asset reliability through effective calibration, preventive maintenance and operator-led asset care
Optimise corrugator process parameters including temperatures, starch usage, feed rates, nip points and board strength to improve yields, productivity and material optimisation
Analyse performance data and KPIs to identify trends, root causes and improvement opportunities, turning insight into measurable actions
Drive Lean Manufacturing and DS Smith Way methodologies, applying Pareto (80/20) thinking to prioritise high-impact improvements
Collaborate with Planning, Logistics and Scheduling teams to optimise production plans, reel store operations and shift effectiveness
Develop capability within the corrugator teams through coaching, training, performance reviews and structured development plans
Ensure quality standards and procedures are consistently applied, working closely with the Quality Manager to reduce internal NCRs and customer complaints
Work with Country and Divisional Technical Excellence teams to implement best practice and support technical problem solving
What we’re looking for
Proven leadership experience within a corrugated manufacturing environment
Strong technical understanding of corrugator operations, steam systems, starch formulations and board performance
A data-driven, improvement-focused leader with experience managing multi-shift teams
Excellent communication skills
Proficient at using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
Ability to prioritise and problem solve
What we can offer you:
- Competitive salary
- Qualifying Sick Pay scheme
- Pension scheme & Life insurance
- Share Save scheme
- Income Protection
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP, Occupational Health & free Flu vaccine
- Cycle to Work and shopping discounts
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!
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, e
ven those not meeting all criteria.”
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What We Do
DS Smith provides innovative packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services with a commitment to sustainability and a circular economy. Our core purpose is to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World, and our expert teams work closely with like-minded partners to incorporate renewable resources for products that minimize our environmental impact, reduce complexity and increase profitability through supply chain optimization
