Engineering & Maintenance Manager

Ely (Onsite)

We are recruiting for an Engineering Manager at our Retail Marketing site in Ely. This is a key leadership role responsible for both the strategic and day-to-day delivery of the engineering function, supporting a fast-paced, customer-focused operation.

You will lead a small but highly capable team, ensuring high performance, strong engagement, and ongoing development across the function. Alongside people leadership, you will take ownership of the commercial performance of engineering, balancing cost control with operational efficiency and service delivery.

The role is accountable for ensuring all site equipment is maintained to the highest standard, driving reliability and minimising downtime. A strong focus will be placed on data-led decision making, including tracking and improving key metrics such as MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) and MTTP (Mean Time to Production/Performance), alongside wider engineering KPIs.

You will lead the development and execution of the maintenance strategy, ensuring it aligns with business needs while continuously improving performance through robust reporting, analysis, and improvement initiatives.

We’re looking for a credible and forward-thinking leader who champions DS Smith values, thrives in a commercial environment, and brings a proactive, continuous improvement mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a small engineering team (Engineers, Apprentices, and Team Lead)
• Manage the commercial aspects of the engineering function, including budgeting and cost control
• Drive equipment reliability and performance through effective maintenance strategies
• Monitor and improve key performance metrics including MTTR and MTTP
• Own and enhance engineering data reporting, using insights to drive decisions and improvements
• Ensure effective planning and execution of maintenance to minimise disruption to production
• Drive compliance and continuous improvement in HSER standards
• Support site-wide operational performance through strong cross-functional collaboration

About You

• Degree qualified or equivalent in an Engineering discipline
• Proven experience in an engineering management role within a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing small to medium-sized teams
• Experience managing budgets and commercial performance within an engineering function
• Strong analytical mindset with experience in data reporting and KPI management (e.g. MTTR, MTTP)
• Sound knowledge of continuous improvement tools and techniques
• Competent in Microsoft Office and familiar with SAP systems
• Proven ability to perform in a customer-centric, commercially driven environment
• Strong decision-making capability, particularly under pressure
• Ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across the business

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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