About the Role
We're looking for an experienced Production Operative to join our Packaging site in Redditch. This is not an entry-level position. We're seeking individuals with proven experience operating machinery within a fast-paced manufacturing environment who can quickly become a valued member of our production team.
You'll play a key role in ensuring our manufacturing assets operate safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Ideally, you'll have experience working across multiple machine types and be confident adapting to different production processes. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning new skills, embraces continuous improvement, and is keen to develop their career within a global manufacturing business.
Safety is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be responsible for operating equipment safely, following established Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), and contributing to a positive safety culture where risks and concerns are proactively identified and addressed.
What You'll Be Doing
Operating and monitoring production machinery safely and efficiently
Maximising machine performance whilst minimising downtime and waste
Carrying out machine set-up, changeovers, adjustments, and basic fault-finding
Working across multiple production assets and developing multi-skilled capability
Performing routine cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance activities
Ensuring products consistently meet customer quality standards
Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity
Collaborating with colleagues to meet production targets and business objectives
Maintaining accurate production and quality records
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills
Previous experience operating machinery within a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment
Strong understanding of health and safety within a factory setting
Experience working to production targets and quality standards
Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and take appropriate action
Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn new machines and processes
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
Flexible approach and willingness to develop multi-skilled capability across production assets
Desirable Experience
Experience within corrugated packaging, print, paper, converting, FMCG, or similar manufacturing environments
Experience operating multiple machine types or production lines
Mechanical aptitude and experience supporting basic machine maintenance activities
Continuous improvement or lean manufacturing experience
Location: On Site- Redditch
Hours: 40 hours per week – Rotating shifts
06:00 – 14:30 Mon – Thurs / 06:00 – 12:00 Fri
14:00 – 22:30 Mon – Thurs / 11:30 – 17:30 Fri
Salary: starting at £33,372 with training and progression up to £35,202
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
#LI-CE
Skills Required
- Previous experience operating machinery within a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment
- Strong understanding of health and safety within a factory setting
- Experience working to production targets and quality standards
- Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and take appropriate action
- Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn new machines and processes
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Flexible approach and willingness to develop multi-skilled capability across production assets
- Experience within corrugated packaging, print, paper, converting, FMCG, or similar manufacturing environments
- Experience operating multiple machine types or production lines
- Mechanical aptitude and experience supporting basic machine maintenance activities
- Continuous improvement or lean manufacturing experience
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
