Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment to drive productivity and safety.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and shopping discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that fosters growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and a background in manufacturing is preferred.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and positive change.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 procedure and legislation
- Review & Update Risk Assessments & Safe Systems of Work
- Analyse contractor Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) & review contractor insurance’s, 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 optimize 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
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.
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
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Shift Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Shift Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching DS Smith and understanding their values and goals. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of sustainability and continuous improvement. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven productivity and engaged teams in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on approach and problem-solving skills will resonate well with the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the DS Smith team and contributing to our exciting journey in sustainable packaging.
We think you need these skills to ace Shift Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Shift Manager role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing and any relevant achievements that align with our focus on productivity and continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead from the front! Share examples of how you've motivated teams, driven performance, and maintained high standards in health & safety and quality. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at DS Smith Birmingham.
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Shift Manager at DS Smith. Familiarise yourself with their focus on health & safety, productivity, and continuous improvement. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a hands-on leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, tackled challenges, and driven performance. Highlight your ability to build trust and foster a positive culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure. Think of situations where you've had to analyse data to inform strategies or implement improvements. Be ready to discuss the outcomes and what you learned.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.