Shift Manager

Production Shift Manager

Blunham

(Shift based 12 hour shifts)

At DS Smith, we’re redefining packaging for a changing world — and people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re now looking for a Production Shift Manager to join our Production team at Blunham, leading our production teams to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of corrugated products.

As a Shift Manager, you will take full responsibility for all production, conversion, and quality activities during your shift. You’ll lead by example, creating a culture where safety, quality, and performance are top priorities. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires a proactive and visible presence on the shop floor, ensuring your team are supported, engaged, and performing at their best.

You’ll inspire and develop a diverse team of operators, ensuring clear communication, effective coordination, and high levels of accountability across the shift. You’ll be pivotal in driving continuous improvement, maintaining strong compliance with DS Smith standards and customer requirements, and fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment.

You must be able to work the following shift pattern:

Week 1 - Days 06:00 – 18:00 Mon / Tue / Fri / Sat / Sunday

Week 2 - Days 06:00 – 18:00 Wed / Thurs

Week 3 - Nights 18:00 – 06:00 Mon / Tue / Fri / Sat / Sunday

Week 4 - Nights 18:00 – 06:00 Wed / Thur

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and motivate production teams to achieve operational excellence in safety, quality, and output.
• Ensure strong leadership presence on the shop floor, providing guidance, support, and clear communication to all team members.
• Drive engagement by setting clear expectations, recognising achievements, and developing individuals to reach their potential.
• Maintain compliance with DS Smith standards, health and safety regulations, and customer specifications.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, waste reduction, and performance optimisation.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, planning, and quality teams to ensure smooth and efficient production.
• Monitor shift performance through KPIs and actively contribute to long-term business objectives.

About you

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment (packaging, print, or FMCG experience advantageous).

• A strong, visible leader who can build trust, drive engagement, and hold people accountable.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• A solid understanding of health & safety, quality, and continuous improvement practices.
• Resilient, proactive, and adaptable — able to lead through change and make confident decisions in a fast-paced setting.
• Able to work to the required shift pattern.

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.”

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