Site Engineering Director in Sittingbourne

DS Smith Paper is seeking an outstanding Engineering Director to lead the Engineering and Maintenance function at our Kemsley Paper Mill. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will shape and deliver our engineering strategy, drive asset reliability and lead a high-performing team across mechanical, electrical and automation disciplines.

This role is ideal for a strategic engineering leader who excels in people management, long-term planning and operational reliability.

This role will be responsible for defining and implementing a site-wide engineering strategy that continuously improves reliability, reduces unplanned downtime and modernises how engineering supports the mill. You will lead a team of around 67 engineers, manage a substantial £21m R&M budget, and design what Engineering will look like over the next 2–3 years, and into the future - including structure, roles, systems and processes.

You will be accountable for engineering standards, maintenance excellence, asset management, statutory compliance, supplier relationships and long-term investment planning. Above all, success in this role is measured by your ability to reduce unplanned engineering downtime across all major assets.

• Lead and role-model a strong safety culture, ensuring all engineering work is carried out safely and in line with risk assessments and legal requirements.
• Build the right team structure and ensure all engineers are trained, competent and fully compliant.
• Develop and deliver the site’s long-term engineering strategy, with a clear focus on improving reliability and reducing unplanned downtime.
• Embed continuous improvement across the Engineering function and support wider operational improvements.
• Create engineering investment plans and provide accurate financial forecasts for budgets and long-term planning.
• Deliver clear, concise communication and reporting to support effective decision-making across the site.
• Strengthen maintenance and asset management practices to achieve world-class levels of reliability and asset availability.
• Improve planned and preventive maintenance systems, including SAP utilisation, spares management and workshop standards.
• Build strong relationships across the DS Smith Paper Division and with key suppliers to give the site rapid access to expertise and industry best practice.
• Ensure all engineering activities meet statutory requirements and follow DS Smith standards.
• Act on recommendations from audits, insurers and external specialists to continually reduce operational risk.
• Lead, develop and motivate a team of ~67 engineers, ensuring strong performance, capability building and succession planning.
• Oversee recruitment for all engineering roles and support the development of apprentices and early-career talent.
• Set and monitor KPIs that drive department performance and positive behaviours.

We are looking for a confident people leader with a strong engineering background and a proven ability to deliver operational reliability. You will have experience leading large engineering teams in a heavy industrial environment and a track record of improving asset performance. You will be comfortable influencing at all levels, managing complex budgets and building a multi-year engineering roadmap.

• Chartered member of relevant professional body or equivalent experience.
• Extensive engineering experience within a busy organisation is essential.
• Significant successful experience in management in a dynamic complex environment.
• Recognised maintenance leadership capability.
• Able to demonstrate in depth knowledge and experience of health and safety management and compliance management processes.
• Proven ability to influence decision making and build cross functional / cross company relationships.
• Experience managing budgets, operations, and forecasting.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.

• 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, 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.