Overview
Lead Mechanical Engineer
Kemsley Paper Mill
About the role: We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Engineering team at Kemsley Paper Mill. Reporting to the Area Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining and improving world-class mechanical uptime, supporting production performance and driving continuous improvement across our assets.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll take ownership of mechanical reliability by leading the mechanical craft team, planning and delivering successful maintenance shuts, and responding quickly and effectively to reactive issues. Working closely with both the Engineering and Production teams, you’ll monitor equipment performance, troubleshoot breakdowns, and identify long-term improvements to strengthen reliability and efficiency.
You will also engage and manage external contractors and suppliers, ensuring the right support is in place for planned and reactive maintenance activities. A key part of the role is diagnosing recurring issues through root cause analysis, implementing sustainable fixes, and contributing to the strategic development of our paper machines.
If you’re passionate about mechanical reliability, leadership, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment — this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.
Key responsibilities
* Lead the mechanical craft team to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality maintenance
* Plan, coordinate and execute major maintenance shuts and shutdown activities
* Respond dynamically to breakdowns and reactive maintenance requirements
* Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to monitor and improve asset performance
* Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to eliminate repeat failures
* Manage external contractors and suppliers to support maintenance activities
* Drive continuous improvement and support longer-term reliability strategies
* Contribute to strategic development and improvement of paper machine assets
What we’re looking for
* A recognised Engineering qualification (time-served apprenticeship and/or Engineering Degree)
* Proven experience in mechanical maintenance within a heavy industrial process manufacturing environment
* Strong leadership capability with a proactive, dynamic approach
* Excellent attention to detail and high standards of safety and quality
* Confident user of a CMMS system, able to manage and utilise maintenance data effectively
* Experience in maintenance planning (highly advantageous)
* Paper mill maintenance experience preferred — particularly liner and fluting production environments
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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