Technology Manager – OCC
Location: Remote – based anywhere in Europe
Function: Technical & Engineering Services
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Technology Manager – OCC to lead technical performance and continuous improvement across OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) operations within the DS Smith Paper division.
This is a European-level role, working across our paper mill network to identify opportunities, improve performance and share best practice. You will use operational data, digitalisation and your technical expertise to understand how our OCC processes are performing, identify areas for improvement and work with local teams to turn opportunities into practical, sustainable solutions.
You will build strong relationships with mill and operations teams, using data and technical insight to challenge existing ways of working, develop action plans and support both short-term improvements and longer-term technology and investment strategies.
A key part of the role will be supporting our mills through major OCC preparation projects, as well as keeping DS Smith at the forefront of emerging technologies and solutions that can improve fibre yield, capacity, quality, cost and energy performance.
This is an influential role where you will operate across the division, connecting technical expertise, operational performance, digitalisation and investment planning to deliver improvements at scale.
What you can expect
This is an opportunity to have a divisional impact across DS Smith’s Paper network, rather than focusing on a single site or country.
You will have the opportunity to influence how OCC is prepared and managed across our mills, identify and scale best practice, shape future technology investments and contribute directly to improvements in operational performance.
Working remotely from anywhere in Europe, you will operate as a key technical partner to our mills and project teams, helping DS Smith continuously improve the way we recover and use valuable fibre.
If you are passionate about technical excellence, manufacturing performance, digitalisation and continuous improvement, and want to influence change across a European network, we’d like to hear from you.
Role responsibilities
- Lead the OCC performance agenda across the DS Smith Paper division, working with mills and OCC specialists to identify and deliver opportunities for improvement.
- Define, develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide clear visibility of OCC performance across the network, making effective use of digital tools and data.
- Analyse operational and performance data to identify trends, gaps and improvement opportunities across areas including fibre yield, capacity, fibre quality, reject disposal costs and energy consumption.
- Work closely with local operations and technical teams to understand current processes, assess existing technology and identify practical opportunities to improve performance.
- Support and follow up on PaperPro audits, ensuring identified OCC opportunities are translated into clear action plans and measurable improvements.
- Develop and support implementation of improvement plans, working with mills to prioritise initiatives based on operational impact, technical feasibility and business value.
- Share and embed best practice across the Paper division, ensuring successful approaches and technologies are replicated across the wider network rather than remaining isolated at individual sites.
- Provide technical support and expertise to major OCC preparation projects, from early concept and feasibility through to implementation.
- Support mills with the development of long-term technology and investment plans, helping to build robust business cases for future CAPEX requirements.
- Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and future solutions that could improve OCC performance, automation, digitalisation, sustainability or operational efficiency.
- Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to assess potential technology solutions, ensuring proposed investments are aligned with DS Smith’s technical and operational requirements.
- Lead or support the RFQ process for major CAPEX projects, coordinating supplier proposals and preparing comparative analysis to support robust commercial and technical decision-making.
- Coordinate with factories, suppliers and project teams to develop and execute project plans, ensuring agreed scope, timelines, deliverables and budgets are effectively managed.
- Maintain oversight of OCC-related projects within the divisional and corporate investment plan, challenging progress where required and ensuring projects remain aligned to agreed budgets and business objectives.
- Work closely with Finance and local project teams to monitor cash CAPEX expenditure, forecast requirements and ensure budgets are managed effectively.
- Build strong relationships across the Paper division, acting as a technical partner to mill leadership, operations, engineering and project teams.
- Influence without direct authority, bringing together different stakeholders to drive consistent standards, accelerate improvement and deliver measurable business benefits.
About you
We are looking for someone with strong technical and operational experience within paper manufacturing, OCC preparation, recycling or a closely related process environment, who can operate confidently at a European or divisional level.
You will bring:
- Strong technical knowledge of OCC preparation and paper mill processes, with an understanding of how technology and process performance influence fibre yield, quality, capacity, energy and cost.
- Experience using operational data and KPIs to identify performance gaps, develop improvement opportunities and measure results.
- A track record of delivering continuous improvement, technical projects or process optimisation within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Experience working with CAPEX projects, including technical evaluation, supplier engagement, RFQs, investment proposals, project budgets and implementation.
- The ability to work collaboratively with operations, engineering, finance, suppliers and senior stakeholders across multiple locations and cultures.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn complex technical information into clear recommendations and practical action plans.
- A proactive approach to identifying new technologies and understanding how emerging solutions could improve business performance.
- The confidence to challenge existing processes constructively and influence stakeholders without relying on direct reporting lines.
- Strong project and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across a geographically dispersed network.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build credibility with both technical specialists and operational leadership.
- Willingness and ability to travel across Europe to support mills, projects and technical initiatives as required.
What we can offer you:
- Willingness and ability to travel across Europe to support mills, projects and technical initiatives as required.
- Competitive salary
- Qualifying Sick Pay scheme
- Pension scheme & Life insurance
- Share Save scheme
- Income Protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP, Occupational Health & free Flu vaccine
- Cycle to Work and shopping discounts
LI-SP
