General Manager

General Manager – ElyAs General Manager of our Ely site, you will hold full accountability for leading one of DS Smith’s flagship operations in the Retail Marketing division. This is a senior leadership role where you will balance operational performance, customer experience, and strategic growth.

The Ely facility is unique within DS Smith: it is both a high-volume manufacturing site powered by state-of-the-art digital printing and finishing technology, and a customer-facing innovation hub through our Impact Centre, where clients experience firsthand how packaging influences shopper behaviour. This dual purpose means the site requires a leader who is as comfortable walking the production floor as they are hosting senior retail and FMCG customers.

You will be responsible for:

Setting the long-term vision and direction of the site in alignment with DS Smith’s Retail Marketing strategy

Delivering consistent, high-quality operations with a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, sustainability, and continuous improvement

Acting as a cultural leader—developing people, building engagement, and driving a performance-based yet collaborative environment

Representing Ely within DS Smith’s senior leadership community, contributing to strategic decision-making and influencing the future direction of our Retail Marketing offering

Playing a key role in delivering growth and innovation, ensuring Ely remains at the forefront of sustainable, data-driven, and impactful retail marketing solutions

In short, this is a rare opportunity to lead a complex, high-profile site that combines cutting-edge manufacturing with client innovation—making a tangible difference for both DS Smith and some of the world’s biggest retail and consumer brands.

Key Responsibilities

Set and execute site strategy in alignment with Retail Marketing goals

Ensure efficient operations across production, quality, safety, and customer delivery

Manage all aspects of site performance including health and safety, cost control, and sustainability

Drive continuous improvement initiatives—lean, waste reduction, productivity, and quality

Maintain achievement of key KPIs including OEE, lead times, waste metrics, and customer satisfaction

Lead, develop, and motivate cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and fulfilment

Build capability and succession through effective leadership and talent development

Own PandL responsibility for the site

Control budgets and drive cost efficiency while investing in transformational projects as needed

Collaborate cross-functionally with UK leadership, sales, Sustainability, and Technology departments

Act as site ambassador internally and externally, enhancing DS Smith’s reputation for sustainability and innovation

Person Specification

Significant experience in senior operational leadership, ideally as Plant Manager or Operations Director

Proven track record in running facilities with advanced technologies—preferably in print, display, packaging, or FMCG sectors

Strong results orientation and ability to simultaneously drive safety, quality, efficiency, and innovation

Excellent strategic thinker with experience translating vision into operational reality

Financial acumen—experience managing budgets, PandL, and capital investments

Leadership excellence—skilled in developing teams, creating positive culture, and delivering sustained performance improvements

Customer-focused mindset—comfortable working with marketing and account functions to deliver exceptional outcomes

Strong change management and continuous improvement experience (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)

Pragmatic with excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills

What we can offer you:

Competitive salary

Qualifying Sick Pay scheme

Pension scheme and Life insurance

Share Save scheme

Income Protection

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Virtual GP, Occupational Health and 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!

“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 ..... full job details .....