Engineering Team Leader

Engineering Team Leader

Featherstone Monday – Friday | Days At DS Smith, we’re looking for an experienced Engineering Team Leader to join our Featherstone manufacturing site.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established engineering leader who enjoys developing people, improving reliability, and driving continuous improvement within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you’ll lead the day‑to‑day activities of the engineering team, ensuring maintenance is delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standard. You’ll also act as the Engineering Manager’s deputy, providing leadership and decision‑making support during periods of absence and helping drive the wider engineering strategy across the site.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll balance people management, maintenance planning, asset reliability and continuous improvement, while working closely with Production and other site functions to maximise equipment performance and operational efficiency.

• Lead, coach and develop a team of maintenance engineers, creating a high‑performing and engaged engineering function.
• Support the Engineering Manager and provide operational leadership in their absence.
• Ensure preventative, predictive and reactive maintenance activities are planned and completed effectively.
• Drive the site’s Asset Care strategy to improve reliability, reduce downtime and maximise equipment performance.
• Manage engineering activities through the site’s maintenance management system, ensuring work is prioritised, planned and completed to a high standard.
• Create and deliver training and development plans, ensuring engineers remain competent and compliant with statutory requirements.
• Manage team performance, providing coaching, feedback and development opportunities.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with company standards, contractor management and safe systems of work.
• Lead communication across engineering and operations, including safety updates, breakdown reviews, handovers and maintenance planning.
• Monitor machine condition, investigate engineering non‑conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Support site capital projects, equipment installations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain engineering documentation, preventative maintenance schedules and audit compliance.
• Ensure workshop standards, housekeeping and engineering stores are maintained to a high standard.

• A Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship (or higher qualification) in a mechanical, electrical or multi‑skilled discipline.
• Previous experience within a fast‑paced manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Proven experience leading or supervising engineering teams.
• A proactive approach to people leadership, coaching and performance management.
• Experience delivering preventative and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Knowledge of maintenance planning systems (SAP experience would be advantageous).
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills with the ability to prioritise in a busy production environment.
• Experience working collaboratively with production and cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A passion for continuous improvement, reliability and developing others.

• 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.