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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, 25 days holiday, and employee assistance programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and efficiency while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in Continuous Improvement within manufacturing and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Be part of a global team dedicated to innovation and positive change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About DS Smith
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. With sustainability, innovation and people at the heart of everything we do, we are committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement across all our manufacturing sites.
The Role
Are you a hands-on Continuous Improvement professional with a strong manufacturing background and the ability to influence people at all levels? As a Conversion OPEX Coordinator, you will play a key role in driving operational excellence across the site. Reporting to the Operations Excellence Manager, you will proactively identify, lead and support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing loss, improving efficiency and embedding a strong performance-driven culture within the conversion operation. This is a highly visible, site-based role where you will work closely with operations, engineering, and leadership teams to translate data into meaningful actions that deliver sustainable results.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively seek out, identify and prioritise opportunities to reduce performance loss across manufacturing through structured continuous improvement and effective planning.
- Provide hands-on, face-to-face technical leadership to support operational change, challenge existing ways of working and embed best practice.
- Drive accurate, consistent and granular performance data capture across the site to enable robust, data-driven improvement programmes.
- Analyse production, quality, waste, efficiency and downtime data to identify root causes and recommend practical, sustainable solutions.
- Lead and support improvement projects, tracking progress and benefits through clear reporting and governance.
- Produce regular performance and project reports, presenting findings, progress and recommendations to the site leadership team.
- Support the development and delivery of training on continuous improvement tools, problem-solving techniques and standardised operating procedures.
- Work collaboratively with operational teams to develop, document and embed new best-practice processes and ways of working.
- Play an active role in the site’s waste reduction and sustainability agenda, ensuring initiatives are inclusive, data-led and aligned to business priorities.
- Share best practice across teams to drive consistency, engagement and long-term performance improvement.
- Ensure all improvement activities are carried out in full compliance with DS Smith’s Health, Safety and Environmental standards, promoting a strong safety-first culture at all times.
About You
You will be a proactive, confident and people-focused improvement professional who enjoys being on the shop floor and influencing change through collaboration and data. Proven experience in Continuous Improvement / OPEX within a manufacturing or conversion environment. A strong background in hands-on problem solving, waste elimination and performance improvement. Experience using Lean, Six Sigma or other structured improvement methodologies (formal qualification desirable but not essential). High levels of IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel (data analysis, trends, reporting), Word and PowerPoint. The ability to analyse complex data, interpret findings and translate them into clear, actionable recommendations. Confidence to challenge existing processes constructively and propose realistic, sustainable solutions. Strong communication, facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels. Excellent people skills, with a collaborative approach that builds trust and encourages buy-in. A solid understanding of Manufacturing Health & Safety regulations and safe systems of work.
What we can offer you:
- 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.
Operational Excellence Coordinator in Blunham employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Excellence Coordinator in Blunham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research DS Smith's values, recent projects, and their approach to sustainability. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Think about how your past experiences align with the role and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the DS Smith family and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Excellence Coordinator in Blunham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Operational Excellence Coordinator role. Highlight your continuous improvement projects and any hands-on experience in manufacturing to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about operational excellence and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data analysis is key in this role, don’t forget to mention your proficiency with tools like Microsoft Excel. Share examples of how you've used data to drive improvements in past roles – we love seeing those numbers!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Continuous Improvement Tools
Make sure you brush up on Lean, Six Sigma, and any other methodologies you've used. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've applied these tools in your previous roles, especially in a manufacturing context.
✨Data is Your Best Friend
Since the role involves analysing performance data, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive improvements. Think about specific metrics you've tracked and how they led to actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
This position requires strong communication and influencing skills. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to engage stakeholders at all levels and how you've successfully led teams through change.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the importance of health and safety in this role, be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past projects. Highlight any initiatives you've led that promoted a safety-first culture in your previous workplaces.
