Production Operative

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Production Operative to join our Packaging site in Redditch. This is not an entry-level position. We're seeking individuals with proven experience operating machinery within a fast-paced manufacturing environment who can quickly become a valued member of our production team.

You'll play a key role in ensuring our manufacturing assets operate safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Ideally, you'll have experience working across multiple machine types and be confident adapting to different production processes. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning new skills, embraces continuous improvement, and is keen to develop their career within a global manufacturing business.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be responsible for operating equipment safely, following established Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), and contributing to a positive safety culture where risks and concerns are proactively identified and addressed.

What You'll Be Doing

Operating and monitoring production machinery safely and efficiently

Maximising machine performance whilst minimising downtime and waste

Carrying out machine set-up, changeovers, adjustments, and basic fault-finding

Working across multiple production assets and developing multi-skilled capability

Performing routine cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance activities

Ensuring products consistently meet customer quality standards

Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and productivity

Collaborating with colleagues to meet production targets and business objectives

Maintaining accurate production and quality records

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience & Skills

Previous experience operating machinery within a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment

Strong understanding of health and safety within a factory setting

Experience working to production targets and quality standards

Ability to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and take appropriate action

Positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn new machines and processes

Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Flexible approach and willingness to develop multi-skilled capability across production assets

Desirable Experience

Experience within corrugated packaging, print, paper, converting, FMCG, or similar manufacturing environments

Experience operating multiple machine types or production lines

Mechanical aptitude and experience supporting basic machine maintenance activities

Continuous improvement or lean manufacturing experience

Location: On Site- Redditch

Hours: 40 hours per week – Rotating shifts

06:00 – 14:30 Mon – Thurs / 06:00 – 12:00 Fri

14:00 – 22:30 Mon – Thurs / 11:30 – 17:30 Fri

Salary: starting at £33,372 with training and progression up to £35,202

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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