Site Head of Engineering in Sittingbourne

DS Smith Paper is seeking an outstanding Engineering Director to lead the Engineering and Maintenance function at our Kemsley Paper Mill. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will shape and deliver our engineering strategy, drive asset reliability and lead a high-performing team across mechanical, electrical and automation disciplines.

This role is ideal for a strategic engineering leader who excels in people management, long-term planning and operational reliability. You will be responsible for defining and implementing a site-wide engineering strategy that continuously improves reliability, reduces unplanned downtime and modernises how engineering supports the mill.

You will lead a team of around 67 engineers, manage a substantial £21m R&M budget, and design what Engineering will look like over the next 2-3 years, including structure, roles, systems and processes. You will be accountable for engineering standards, maintenance excellence, asset management, statutory compliance, supplier relationships and long-term investment planning. Above all, success in this role is measured by your ability to reduce unplanned engineering downtime across all major assets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and role-model a strong safety culture, ensuring all engineering work is carried out safely and in line with risk assessments and legal requirements.
• Develop and deliver the site's long-term engineering strategy, with a clear focus on improving reliability and reducing unplanned downtime.
• Embed continuous improvement across the Engineering function and support wider operational improvements.
• Create engineering investment plans and provide accurate financial forecasts for budgets and long-term planning.
• Strengthen maintenance and asset management practices to achieve world-class levels of reliability and asset availability.
• Improve planned and preventive maintenance systems, including SAP utilisation, spares management and workshop standards.
• Ensure all engineering activities meet statutory requirements and follow DS Smith standards.
• Act on recommendations from audits, insurers and external specialists to continually reduce operational risk.
• Lead, develop and motivate a team of ~67 engineers, ensuring strong performance, capability building and succession planning.
• Oversee recruitment for all engineering roles and support the development of apprentices and early-career talent.
• Set and monitor KPIs that drive department performance and positive behaviours.

We are looking for a confident people leader with a strong engineering background and a proven ability to deliver operational reliability. You will have experience leading large engineering teams in a heavy industrial environment and a track record of improving asset performance. You will be comfortable influencing at all levels, managing complex budgets and building a multi-year engineering roadmap. Extensive engineering experience within a busy organisation is essential.

Additional Requirements:

• Significant successful experience in management in a dynamic complex environment.
• Recognised maintenance leadership capability.
• Able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and experience of health and safety management and compliance management processes.

Competitive salary, qualifying sick pay scheme, pension scheme & life insurance, share save scheme, 25 days holiday plus.