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- Tasks: Lead a mechanical team to enhance reliability and efficiency 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.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mechanical reliability and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Engineering qualification and experience in mechanical maintenance required.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Engineering team at Kemsley Paper Mill. Reporting to the Area Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining and improving world-class mechanical uptime, supporting production performance and driving continuous improvement across our assets. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will take ownership of mechanical reliability by leading the mechanical craft team, planning and delivering successful maintenance shuts, and responding quickly and effectively to reactive issues.
Working closely with both the Engineering and Production teams, you will monitor equipment performance, troubleshoot breakdowns, and identify long-term improvements to strengthen reliability and efficiency. You will also engage and manage external contractors and suppliers, ensuring the right support is in place for planned and reactive maintenance activities. A key part of the role is diagnosing recurring issues through root cause analysis, implementing sustainable fixes, and contributing to the strategic development of our paper machines. If you are passionate about mechanical reliability, leadership, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment - this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.
Key responsibilities:- Lead the mechanical craft team to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality maintenance
- Plan, coordinate and execute major maintenance shuts and shutdown activities
- Respond dynamically to breakdowns and reactive maintenance requirements
- Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to monitor and improve asset performance
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to eliminate repeat failures
- Manage external contractors and suppliers to support maintenance activities
- Drive continuous improvement and support longer-term reliability strategies
- Contribute to strategic development and improvement of paper machine assets
- A recognised Engineering qualification (time-served apprenticeship and/or Engineering Degree)
- Proven experience in mechanical maintenance within a heavy industrial process manufacturing environment
- Strong leadership capability with a proactive, dynamic approach
- Excellent attention to detail and high standards of safety and quality
- Confident user of a CMMS system, able to manage and utilise maintenance data effectively
- Experience in maintenance planning (highly advantageous)
- Paper mill maintenance experience preferred - particularly liner and fluting production environments
- 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.
Lead Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and experience in mechanical maintenance, as these are key for the Lead Mechanical Engineer role.
✨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 our team at Kemsley Paper Mill.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your mechanical maintenance experience and leadership capabilities, as these are key for us at Kemsley Paper Mill.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about mechanical reliability and continuous improvement. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in previous roles to grab our attention!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention instances where you’ve successfully diagnosed issues and implemented sustainable fixes. We love candidates who can think on their feet and drive improvements!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at DS Smith!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering knowledge, especially in areas relevant to paper mill operations. Be prepared to discuss specific maintenance strategies and how you've successfully implemented them in the past.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, think of examples where you've successfully managed a group. Highlight your approach to motivating others and how you handle challenges within a team setting.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled breakdowns or maintenance issues in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your analytical skills.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research DS Smith and their commitment to sustainability and innovation. Be ready to explain how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of creating sustainable packaging solutions.
