Location: UK and Europe (40-50% travel required)
Subject to Consultation
About the role
This role is accountable for leading the quality strategy governance and performance improvement initiatives across the Packaging Division. Reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence the role ensures that all Sub-Regions and Sites consistently deliver compliant sustainable and fit-for-purpose packaging solutions that meet customer expectations and regulatory standards. The role is pivotal in protecting and growing our 80s customers and using quality to differentiate us in the market by fostering a proactive quality culture supporting functional capability building and embedding continuous improvement throughout the division.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the development and deployment of the divisional quality strategy aligned to the Packaging strategy
Develop a Quality Management System to enable standardisation delivering consistently to our customers expectations and ensuring audit readiness and continuous improvement
Define and drive key quality metrics such as First-Time Pass Rate Complaint Rate and Cost of Poor Quality
Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g. ISO 9001 BRCGS Packaging Materials) and regulatory requirements.
Provide functional leadership to Sub-Regional and Site Quality teams; support talent development and succession planning.
Act as the escalation point for major customer quality issues and internal non-conformances.
Oversee Quality Risk Management including customer complaints & audits
Partner with Procurement and Technical teams to enhance supplier quality and incoming material performance
Represent the division external customer/industry forums
About You
Degree in Engineering Packaging Science Materials Science or related discipline
Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing or BRCGS Packaging Materials qualification desirable
Significant experience in quality management roles with experience in a senior leadership or multi-site capacity
Proven track record of leading quality transformations and achieving measurable improvements in quality KPIs
Demonstrated success working with both internal and external stakeholders including major customers and certification bodies
Experience in corrugated packaging or related manufacturing environments is essential
Deep technical knowledge of corrugated board manufacturing printing conversion and quality control
Strong leadership presence with ability to influence across matrixed and multi-site structures
Expert in Quality Management Systems (QMS) lean problem-solving and regulatory frameworks
Highly analytical data-driven and able to translate complex issues into actionable insights
Excellent communicator and collaborator with a strong customer-facing orientation
Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders
Required Experience:
Director
DS Smith is an international packaging company, offering sustainable, plastic-free packaging, integrated recycling services, and sustainable paper products.