Head of Material Optimization North EMEA

DS Smith is now hiring a Head of Material Optimization for the North EMEA region.  

About The Role

We are seeking a driven Head of Material Optimization to work closely with Plant Managers and management teams, especially Plant Ops Excellence Managers. You will be responsible for developing capabilities and ways of working to increase packaging performance while optimizing material usage for reliable packaging with no more material than necessary. You will be accountable for optimizing waste. 

Key responsibilities include following health and safety standards, leading waste reduction development efforts, adhering to and promoting DS Smith Way principles and toolsets. You will track implementation progress, collect and report performance KPIs monthly to ensure sites deliver expected results for process/product waste, sustainability, and audits. You will lead PACE and "Paper & Board" development activities in North EMEA, promoting a unified approach to material optimization across the Nordic countries, and you are expected to build strong working relationships with plant leadership teams and peers across North EMEA and division. You will represent the North EMEA and provide input to the central Material Optimization Management Team. 

Financially, you will be responsible for delivering the country's material optimization targets and identifying financial impacts and opportunities related to board and packaging performance. 

This role reports to Supply Chain & Operations Director North EMEA and can be based at either of our North EMEA sites. 

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or relevant equivalent experience 
• Strong understanding of Lean process and experience in lean manufacturing environment 
• Good level of Corrugator and Conversion process and knowledge 
• Good understanding of paper making process 
• Good understanding of material & structural dynamics 
• Experience of working in a manufacturing production environment  
• Good problem solving experience and knowledge, supported by certified process improvement methodology such as Six Sigma 
• Pragmatic in approach and able to work collaboratively 
• Good leadership & communication skills and the ability to adapt communication style depending on the audience 

This role requires excellent language skills, oral and written, in English as well as an additional Baltic or Nordic language. 
 

The right candidate probably has a similar role within the company already, and is now ready to take on broader challenges.  

Fair recruitment in DS Smith  

Don’t meet every single requirement? At DS Smith, we are proud to recruit across a wide range of candidates. We are thriving for being a diverse workplace where everyone can realize their potential. We see equality and diversity as a strength. Thus, we hope that you will apply for the position even if you do not necessarily meet all the requirements.  
 
 

Application

For this role, you can be based anywhere within the North EMEA region.  

Hiring Manager for this position is  

Dan Johannessen

Supply Chain & Operations Director, North EMEA

+45 721 49790

Dan.Johannessen@Dssmith.Com

If you have questions regarding the process or trouble applying, please reach out to us at nordic.recruitment@dssmith.com. 

You can easily apply by visiting www.dssmith.com/yournextmove and logging into Workday with your personal email address. If this is your first time logging into Workday, you will need to change/create a password. On Your Next Move, you will also find tips for those seeking an internal position – from how to optimize your CV to how best to prepare for an interview. 
If you have a DS Smith email address, instead log into Workday via Plexus (My Careers -> Job Portal) to apply.  

In this recruitment process, you may need to undergo work psychological tests.  

Start date as soon as possible. 

We look forward to receiving your application!