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.