At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic engineering team and drive performance through innovative maintenance strategies.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and various employee perks.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and proven management experience in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
We are recruiting for an Engineering Manager at our Retail Marketing site in Ely. This is a key leadership role responsible for both the strategic and day-to-day delivery of the engineering function, supporting a fast-paced, customer-focused operation.
You will lead a small but highly capable team, ensuring high performance, strong engagement, and ongoing development across the function. Alongside people leadership, you will take ownership of the commercial performance of engineering, balancing cost control with operational efficiency and service delivery.
The role is accountable for ensuring all site equipment is maintained to the highest standard, driving reliability and minimising downtime. A strong focus will be placed on data-led decision making, including tracking and improving key metrics such as MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) and MTTP (Mean Time to Production/Performance), alongside wider engineering KPIs.
You will lead the development and execution of the maintenance strategy, ensuring it aligns with business needs while continuously improving performance through robust reporting, analysis, and improvement initiatives.
We're looking for a credible and forward-thinking leader who champions DS Smith values, thrives in a commercial environment, and brings a proactive, continuous improvement mindset.
Key Responsibilities- Lead, coach and develop a small engineering team (Engineers, Apprentices, and Team Lead)
- Manage the commercial aspects of the engineering function, including budgeting and cost control
- Drive equipment reliability and performance through effective maintenance strategies
- Monitor and improve key performance metrics including MTTR and MTTP
- Own and enhance engineering data reporting, using insights to drive decisions and improvements
- Ensure effective planning and execution of maintenance to minimise disruption to production
- Drive compliance and continuous improvement in HSER standards
- Support site-wide operational performance through strong cross-functional collaboration
- Degree qualified or equivalent in an Engineering discipline
- Proven experience in an engineering management role within a manufacturing or production environment
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing small to medium-sized teams
- Experience managing budgets and commercial performance within an engineering function
- Strong analytical mindset with experience in data reporting and KPI management (e.g. MTTR, MTTP)
- Sound knowledge of continuous improvement tools and techniques
- Competent in Microsoft Office and familiar with SAP systems
- Proven ability to perform in a customer-centric, commercially driven environment
- Strong decision-making capability, particularly under pressure
- Ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across the business
- 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, even those not meeting all criteria.
Engineering Manager in Ely employer: DS Smith Packaging Limited
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Ely where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our operations. As an Engineering Manager, you will lead a talented team while enjoying competitive benefits such as a comprehensive pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a global leader committed to creating a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager in Ely
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field and let them know you're on the hunt for an Engineering Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to engineering and maintenance, especially around metrics like MTTR and MTT. This will help you showcase how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've developed teams and driven performance improvements. Highlight your analytical mindset and how you've used data to make decisions in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in Ely
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, budget management skills, and any relevant engineering metrics you've worked with. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about engineering management and how your experience aligns with our values. Be sure to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead and improve performance.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since data-led decision making is key for this role, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive improvements in your previous positions. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with solid metrics!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Packaging Limited
✨Know Your Engineering Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators like MTTR and MTTP. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in your previous roles. This shows you understand the commercial side of engineering and can make data-led decisions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in managing small teams. Think about how you've coached and developed team members in the past, and be ready to share specific success stories that demonstrate your ability to engage and motivate others.
✨Understand the Business Needs
Research DS Smith and its values thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss how your engineering strategies can align with their business goals. Showing that you understand their focus on sustainability and customer-centric operations will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions about handling pressure and making decisions under tight deadlines. Think of scenarios where you've successfully navigated challenges in a fast-paced environment, particularly in maintenance or operational contexts. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and resilience.
