At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic manufacturing team to drive productivity and continuous improvement.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to redefining packaging for a sustainable future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management within manufacturing; strong communication and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
About the Role
Here at DS Smith Birmingham, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Shift Manager to join our manufacturing team and play a key role in the continued development of our Smethwick packaging site. Reporting to the General Manager, you will work closely with site leadership to ensure productivity plans are delivered, departmental targets are achieved, and continuous improvement remains a core focus. This is a visible leadership role where strong communication, people management, and operational skills are essential.
Leading from the front in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, you will drive productivity while maintaining high standards of health & safety, quality, engagement, and cost efficiency. You will actively deliver improvements such as waste reduction and process optimisation to support site performance. With a hands-on leadership style, you will motivate your team to achieve KPIs, foster a positive, high-performance culture, and work collaboratively with fellow leaders to implement improvements and deliver a first-class service to our customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times and team compliance with all company safety procedures and legislation.
- Review & Update Risk Assessments & Safe Systems of Work.
- Analyse contractor Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) & review contractor insurances, skills, competence & documentation.
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to promote continuous improvement and drive the overall success of the site.
- Working with maintenance teams to ensure all preventative maintenance schedules are effectively planned and actioned to monitor effectiveness and reduce downtime.
- Building strong relationships with key stakeholders on site and throughout the business.
- Drive performance, productivity and cost-saving initiatives.
About You
We’re looking for a proactive, resilient leader with proven experience managing teams in a manufacturing environment - packaging, print, or FMCG experience is a plus. You’ll be a visible, hands-on leader who builds trust, drives engagement, and holds people accountable. Strong communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of health & safety, quality standards, and continuous improvement practices. You’ll be confident making decisions under pressure, adaptable to change, and able to use data to inform strategies and optimise performance.
Minimum Requirements:
- Previous experience of leading a team.
- Manufacturing/Engineering background would be advantageous.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- The ability to set targets and manage performance to achieve these results.
- A sense of accountability, delivering what you say you will.
- A professional attitude based around development and improvement.
- Strong administration skills and IT literate.
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.
- On-site parking.
Location: On site - Birmingham - Smethwick
Working Pattern: The working hours for this role rotate weekly and are as follows:
- Week 1 Monday to Thursday: 06:00 - 14:00, Friday: 06:00 - 13:00.
- Week 2 Monday to Thursday: 14:00 - 22:00, Friday: 13:00 - 20:00.
About us
We’re DS Smith, the company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America.
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.
Shift Manager in Birmingham employer: DS Smith Packaging Limited
At DS Smith Birmingham, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. As a Shift Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth through continuous improvement initiatives and strong leadership collaboration. With competitive benefits such as 25 days' holiday, a pension scheme, and a commitment to sustainability, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment in our fast-paced manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shift Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see what they're all about. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've driven productivity or improved processes in your previous roles. Being able to share these experiences will demonstrate your hands-on leadership style and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! This shows you're engaged and keen to learn more about the role and the team. Ask about their continuous improvement initiatives or how they foster a positive culture on site.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're proactive and serious about joining the DS Smith family.
We think you need these skills to ace Shift Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Shift Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in manufacturing and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive productivity and improve processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for continuous improvement and how your hands-on leadership style has positively impacted your previous teams.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key for this role, make sure your application showcases your ability to engage and motivate teams. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Packaging Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand DS Smith's operations and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement in packaging. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Shift Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your hands-on leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, tackled challenges, and driven performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Safety First
Given the emphasis on health and safety in the job description, be ready to discuss your experience with safety protocols and risk assessments. Highlight any initiatives you've led to improve safety standards and how you ensure compliance within your team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the company's future plans for sustainability or how they measure success in their continuous improvement initiatives. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
