At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality management and technical performance for packaging products across EMEA.
- Company: Join a dynamic packaging division focused on quality and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and development in a fast-paced industry.
- Why this job: Be the key contact for quality excellence and drive improvements in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quality Assurance or related field; experience in international quality management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are currently looking for a Quality and Technical Lead to join our Packaging Division. You will strive to continuously improve the Quality and Service performance to our key customers and demonstrate high levels of service, agility, transparency and proactivity. In this role, you will be the customer’s key central point of contact for Quality Management and Technical (packaging products) performance matters across the network of our supplying countries.
You will lead internally a very close cooperation between our Divisional Operations and Quality functions and the Quality leads in countries and sites, to ensure we have best in class and one harmonised Quality Management towards the customer. The role calls for very active and on the ground involvement with our supplying countries and plants, on quality control planning, quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement.
Key Responsibilities- Quality Control Planning – Jointly set the direction with our supplying plants, on what we will do to ensure our products meet the customer’s quality expectations, identifying what our quality standards should be, the requirements necessary to meet these standards, and what procedures will be used to check that these criteria are being met.
- Quality control – Ensure, with the Quality leads in countries and sites, that the quality control processes we use in the different supplying plants are consistent across countries and fit for purpose to ensure the customer receives products that are free from defects and meet their needs.
- Quality assurance – Be the central point of contact for the continued roll out and maintenance of the quality assurance plan across the network. Carry out relevant internal quality audits on our supplying plants, to ensure the preventive components of our quality management processes are effective and being adhered to.
- Quality improvement – Regularly review with our internal network our findings and jointly plan how to improve our Quality Management.
- Relationship Management – Understand our contractual obligations with associated KPIs and act to minimise risks or impact of non-conformances; act as EMEA lead point of contact for customers on our quality performance and data, managing customer communication and building relationships with customer stakeholders for quality.
- Compliance – Coordinate activity related to client audits and reporting (SMETA, Sustainability, Food & Product Safety). Be up to date with regulatory requirements in each supplying country, working closely with local leads. Be ready to oversee quality aspects of any requirement to switch supply sites due to unforeseen capacity issues.
- Customer projects and Value opportunity development – Support with developing value opportunities for the customer, providing key input on quality and impact. Identify and deliver ongoing improvement projects and other quality excellence initiatives.
- Keep on top of technical innovations and be proactive in identifying and influencing the evolution of the customer’s technical strategy.
About You
- University degree within Quality Assurance course or an appropriate discipline (Sciences, Engineering, Business).
- Previous experience in Quality Management roles in an international environment; having been involved in the creation, roll‑out and management of quality assurance with end customers.
- Good understanding of packaging manufacturing processes preferred.
- Experience in conducting plant/process audits and problem‑solving workshops, managing end customer complaints, audit programs & quality expectations.
- Strong knowledge and skills in Quality management components, control techniques and process improvements.
- Skilled in 8D, PPAP, ISO 9001, TS 16949, Quality tools, etc.
- Demonstrated leadership skills from previous roles, with high credibility, experience and tangible results from driving and managing various quality projects.
- Ability to lead, negotiate and sustain networking relationships, fostering a collaborative spirit.
- An analytical, independent, and methodical international people leader with solid judgement; high levels of resilience and a holistic and positive attitude.
- Strong presentation skills and Super User level in Microsoft Office applications – particularly in PowerPoint and Excel (Pivots, Vlookups, etc.).
- Fluent English, spoken and written; additional European languages are an advantage.
Travel - High flexibility required – must be willing to undertake occasional travel within Europe for on‑site meetings.
Quality and Technical Lead - EMEA in City of Westminster employer: DS Smith
As a Quality and Technical Lead in our Packaging Division, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that prioritises quality excellence and customer satisfaction. Our company fosters a collaborative culture where your expertise will be valued, and you will have ample opportunities for professional growth through continuous learning and engagement with international teams. Located in a vibrant region, we offer competitive benefits and the chance to make a meaningful impact on our quality management processes across Europe.
