Production Manager - Fordham
About the role
As Production Manager, you will be responsible for leading the site’s Production operation including Conversion and Corrugator, managing multiple processes that directly influence customer quality, service and cost. Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead multi-shift teams across a range of activities in a dynamic and customer-focused manufacturing environment.
You will have full accountability for operational performance, ensuring production plans are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. The role demands strong organisational skills, the ability to balance competing priorities, and a hands-on leadership style that drives ownership and accountability at all levels.
Working in close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Operational Excellence and Cluster teams, you will focus on maximising asset utilisation, improving changeovers, reducing waste and driving continuous improvement. You will be expected to develop capable, engaged teams, embed standard operating practices and use data and KPIs to drive sustained performance improvement.
This role is ideal for a resilient and commercially minded production leader who enjoys managing complexity, improving processes and delivering results through strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and develop multi-shift conversion teams, driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, cost and engagement
- Ensure customer orders are delivered on time, in full and to specification, balancing capacity, quality and cost
- Work closely with the Engineering Manager to ensure equipment is fully calibrated, well maintained and operating to standard, including effective preventive maintenance planning
- Optimise conversion processes including printing, die-cutting and folding through effective control of ink usage, tooling condition, feed rates and changeovers
- Analyse KPIs and performance data, including waste, downtime and quality metrics, to identify trends and improvement opportunities
- Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain and Cluster teams to optimise machine utilisation and production scheduling
- Ensure effective preparation and organisation of inks, stereos and tooling to support efficient production
- Develop team capability through coaching, training, performance reviews and structured development plans
- Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure adherence to quality standards and to reduce customer complaints
What we’re looking for
- Proven experience leading teams in a corrugated or high-volume manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of conversion processes including printing, die-cutting and folding
- A confident, data-driven people leader with experience managing multi-shift operations
- 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.”
#LI-SP
Skills Required
- Proven experience leading teams in a corrugated or high-volume manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of conversion processes including printing, die-cutting and folding
- Experience managing multi-shift operations and leading people
- Data-driven decision making and KPI analysis experience
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
- Ability to prioritise, problem solve and drive continuous improvement
DS Smith Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about DS Smith and has not been reviewed or approved by DS Smith.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered okay to good across many roles, with some plants indicating competitive or above‑market hourly rates for operators and similar positions. This supports a broadly fair perception of base pay even as experiences vary by site.
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. offerings include day‑one medical/vision and dental, employer HSA contributions, and 100% company‑paid life and short/long‑term disability, alongside an EAP. Some role descriptions also highlight mental‑health and fertility options.
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Retirement Support — Packages commonly reference a 401(k) with company match and, in some locations, pension eligibility or company‑funded retirement contributions. This positions retirement benefits as a meaningful component of total rewards.
DS Smith Insights
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
