Scheduling Optimisation Manager

DS Smith; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000

Job description

Support the supply chain activities to ensure that the day to day supply chain business results are achieved.

Provide analytical support and reporting on supply chain activities to ensure excellence in the overall performance of the operations.

May lead key supply chain projects from design to implementation.

Role is typically at a group or divisional level.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Scheduling Optimisation Manager to join our UK Packaging division, where you will be responsible for delivering the End-to-End Supply Chain Transformation Programme.

In this role, you will lead at a Sub-Regional level, with a proven ability to implement and manage diverse projects, ideally in transformational supply chain initiatives. You also have a strong track record of influencing within complex, matrix-driven environments.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Production Strategy: Determine which SKUs should be Make-to-Stock (MTS) vs. Make-to-Order (MTO).

2. Production Frequencies: Optimize production schedules for SKUs and Board Grades.

3. Lead Time Analysis: Assess current customer order lead times, conduct a gap analysis, and support the business in achieving desired lead time targets.

4. Complexity Reduction: Analyze board grade complexities and contribute to strategies that streamline production and reduce complexity.

5. Business Case Validation: Ensure that assumptions behind key business cases are accurate and realistic.

6. Actionable Recommendations: Provide clear, data-driven recommendations for further deployment across the region.

7. ERP System Configuration: Define how to parameterize ERP systems to support production scheduling and inventory management policies.

8. Process Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to ensure business continuity beyond project go-live.

About You

You must have significant experience in senior supply chain roles, with a strong background in stable, high-volume production environments. You’ll have successfully led or participated in supply chain transitions and can communicate effectively across all levels of the organization—from shop floor teams to senior management.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Applicable degree or equivalent experience

2. Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills

3. Deep knowledge of sub-regional markets, logistics operations, inventory management, and supply chain processes

4. Proven project management skills and experience

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a critical role in shaping the future of our supply chain operations. If you’re passionate about scheduling optimization and driving transformational change, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits

Additional benefits include:

1. 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

2. Discretionary bonus

3. Pension scheme

4. Life assurance

5. Income protection

6. Employee assistance program

7. Cycle to work scheme

8. Shopping discounts

About us

We’re DS Smith, the company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America.

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

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.