About the Role
Are you a passionate manufacturing leader with a continuous improvement mindset and a drive for operational excellence? At DS Smith, we're looking for a Shift Manufacturing Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to creating a culture where safety, performance, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you will take full responsibility for production, quality, safety, and people performance during your shift. As a visible and hands-on leader, you will spend time on the shop floor coaching, developing, and supporting your team while identifying opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and enhance overall operational performance. You will play a critical role in embedding continuous improvement methodologies, driving problem-solving behaviours, and fostering a culture where every colleague is empowered to contribute ideas that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities (Including but not limited to)
- Lead by example to create and maintain a safe working environment, ensuring health and safety standards are always met while continuously identifying opportunities to improve workplace safety.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to challenge the status quo, eliminate waste, and implement sustainable process improvements.
- Ensure production plan attainment across digital printing, cutting and die preparation operations.
- Monitor operational performance throughout the shift, using data and visual management tools to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
- Lead structured problem-solving activities and corrective actions to improve productivity, quality, and machine performance.
- Analyse variances in material consumption and waste, operational efficiencies and implement robust improvement plans to minimise waste and control costs.
- Coach and develop teams in continuous improvement methodologies, building capability and ownership across all operational areas.
- Collaborate closely with Production control, Planning, Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure production plans align with customer requirements and business priorities.
- Facilitate effective shift handovers and performance reviews, ensuring clear communication of priorities, actions, and improvement opportunities.
- Support and deliver site KPIs through data-driven decision-making and a relentless focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Champion quality standards and customer requirements, driving right-first-time performance and reducing non-conformance.
About You
We're looking for a resilient and proactive manufacturing leader who has a proven track record of delivering results through people, processes, and continuous improvement. You will be passionate about creating high-performing teams and fostering an environment where colleagues are engaged, empowered, and focused on making things better every day. You will be a hands-on coach who can inspire teams, solve problems effectively, and use data to identify opportunities for operational excellence. Your leadership style will balance accountability with development, ensuring both people and performance continue to grow.
- Strong experience leading teams within a manufacturing environment, ideally within packaging, print, FMCG, or another fast-paced production setting.
- A proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable operational benefits.
- Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
- A commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
- A sound understanding of health and safety, quality management systems, and operational excellence principles.
- The ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining focus on long-term improvement and sustainable performance gains.
Minimum Requirements
- Previous leadership experience within a manufacturing environment (packaging, print, or FMCG experience advantageous).
- Demonstrable experience delivering continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, problem-solving techniques, and performance management.
- Excellent communication and people management skills.
- Knowledge of health & safety regulations and quality management systems.
- Ability to work the required rotational shifts.
Benefits
Additional benefits include:
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Employee assistance program
- Cycle to work scheme
- Shopping discounts
- Subsidised staff canteen
- On site parking
Location: Ely Working Pattern: Rotational Shift Week 1: Monday-Friday - 06:00 - 14:00 Week 2: Monday - Friday - 14:00 - 22:00
About us
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!
Fair recruitment at DS Smith
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. 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.
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Shift Manufacturing Manager in Ely employer: Total Marketing Support Limited
Total Marketing Support Limited is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability in the packaging industry. With a hybrid work model, employees enjoy flexibility while being part of a collaborative culture that prioritises professional growth and development. The company offers unique opportunities to lead impactful change initiatives, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful difference.
Contact Details:
Total Marketing Support Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shift Manufacturing Manager in Ely
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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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 Total Marketing Support Limited, 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!
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 Total Marketing Support Limited 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 Total Marketing Support Limited
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Total Marketing Support Limited, 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 Total Marketing Support Limited 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.
