At a Glance
- Tasks: Improve production efficiency and reliability using your technical skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, 25 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving positive change in the industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on production performance and sustainability with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Engineering qualification and experience with high-speed machinery required.
The predicted salary is between 35100 - 42900 £ per year.
Focus Improvement Technician – Conversion Burscough Monday - Friday (40 hours per week) £57,500
As a Focus Improvement Technician, (Conversion), you will play a key role in improving the reliability, performance and efficiency of our production assets.
Working within the Conversion area, you will use your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to identify recurring issues, reduce downtime and deliver sustainable improvements.
You will be responsible for the maintenance and optimisation of high-speed finishing equipment downstream from the corrugator, including Flexo Folder Gluers (FFGs), Rotary Die Cutters and Flatbed Die Cutters.
Your focus will be on keeping equipment running safely and efficiently while ensuring the accuracy, quality and consistency of finished products.
Working closely with Production and Maintenance teams, you will help identify chronic losses, resolve recurring equipment issues and deliver improvements that increase uptime and reduce waste.
The salary package includes compensation for undertaking up to 20 night and weekend holiday cover shifts annually.
Any holiday cover hours worked in excess of the employee's standard weekly contracted hours will be paid at the applicable overtime rate.
- Your responsibilities
- Delivering planned, preventative and corrective maintenance across the Conversion area.
- Acting as the technical subject matter expert for your assigned assets and equipment.
- Diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and automation faults quickly and effectively.
- Maintaining and troubleshooting high-speed converting equipment from manufacturers such as Bobst, Martin/FFG, Tanabe, Gopfert and Sun Automation.
- Calibrating and maintaining print cylinders, registration systems, anilox rolls, doctor blade assemblies and rotary die-cutting cylinders to ensure precise product quality.
- Maintaining high-speed feed systems, vacuum transfer tables, folder-gluer belts and associated equipment to minimise jams and production stoppages.
- Maintaining, flushing and calibrating automated hot-melt and cold-glue systems and associated inspection sensors.
- Troubleshooting multi-axis servo drives, encoders, PLCs and automated control systems responsible for machine timing and synchronisation.
- Supporting quick changeovers by improving machine setup, recipes and adjustment processes to minimise downtime between product changes.
- Identifying and eliminating chronic equipment losses and recurring failures.
- Supporting root-cause analysis and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Reviewing and optimising maintenance routines to improve equipment reliability and performance.
- Working closely with Production colleagues to build strong relationships and minimise disruption to manufacturing.
- Accurately recording maintenance activity, findings, spare parts and corrective actions within the CMMS.
- Supporting continuous improvement, Maintenance Excellence and reliability-focused projects.
- Ensuring all maintenance activities are carried out safely and in line with site procedures and engineering standards.
Person Specification
We are looking for a technically skilled and proactive engineering professional who enjoys working with complex, high-speed machinery and solving problems in a fast-paced production environment.
Qualifications and experience
- A recognised engineering qualification such as an apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3/4 or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or Maintenance Engineering.
- Experience maintaining high-speed converting, printing, packaging or similar multi-station production machinery.
- Strong mechanical and electrical engineering skills, with experience of servo motors, precision gearboxes, pneumatic actuators and electronic sensors.
- Experience troubleshooting automated machinery involving multiple axes, drives, PLCs and machine-control systems.
- The ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, pneumatic diagrams and mechanical drawings.
- Experience with precision mechanical adjustment and alignment, using tools such as dial indicators, calipers and gauges.
- An understanding of machine timing, synchronisation and registration within high-speed production equipment.
- Experience working with industrial networks such as Ether Net/IP or Profibus would be advantageous.
- Experience with PLCs and HMI systems, with Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley or similar platforms desirable.
- Experience maintaining or troubleshooting automated strapping, bundling or palletising equipment would be beneficial.
- Experience using a CMMS to manage preventative maintenance, work orders and spare parts.
- A strong focus on safety, quality and continuous improvement.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to identify the root cause of issues rather than simply fixing the immediate problem.
- The ability to work effectively with both Maintenance and Production teams.
This is an opportunity to use your engineering expertise to make a real difference to the performance of our Conversion operation.
You will play a key role in reducing downtime, improving machine reliability and ensuring our high-speed finishing equipment delivers the quality and output our customers expect.
- 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.
- #LI-SP #DSENG
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Focused Improvement Technician (Conversion) in Burscough employer: DS Smith
DS Smith is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and employee well-being in the vibrant location of Livingston, Scotland. With opportunities for personal growth and development, alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days holiday and a pension scheme, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to meaningful production processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Focused Improvement Technician (Conversion) in Burscough
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like DS Smith, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Focused Improvement Technician (Conversion) in Burscough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to DS Smith specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with DS Smith, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like DS Smith value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
