About the role
‘Redefining packaging for a changing world’ is what DS Smith are doing – by delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions that consider the entire supply chain. In order to ensure our packaging solutions, energise sustainable growth – for our customers and consumers, our people, our business, and most importantly, our environment, we need a world-class Innovation team to lead the way and drive that change. DS Smith is the perfect place to understand customer challenges, product design, and innovation so that you can make your mark on this ever-evolving industry.
We're seeking a dynamic Central Innovation Specialist to join our central team and drive the DS Smith Innovation Agenda, delivering our business value proposition to customers.
Working with various stakeholders internally and externally you’ll lead the deployment of our D&I strategy, ensuring consistency in our methodologies, tools, and services. Leading our innovation team, you'll oversee the delivery of key performance indicators (KPIs) and projects, focusing on innovation development, value creation, and promoting retailer engagement. This role involves medium to large multi-site business units at Divisional and Group level.
Responsibilities include (but not limited):
Lead the development, management, and execution of the DS Smith innovation agenda for our strategic customers.
Drive Innovation Sales, Value Creation, Commercial Excellence & Sustainability KPI’s
Promote proactive innovation for sales and margin growth through a total cost of ownership approach.
Ideate new solutions, producing high-quality visuals, prototypes and contributing to the iterative concept analysis and testing process.
Ensure successful transition of innovations from design to deployment.
Instigate, develop and deliver proactive, insight-based innovation and management of the innovation pipeline as part of the central D&I (Design & Innovation) team.
Foster consistent usage of our technical tools, services, and processes.
Ensure alignment and consistency across Clusters and serve as a conduit with Division.
About you
University Graduate Preferred
Valuable post-graduate / master's degree
Proven track record in leading innovation projects and driving strategic growth.
Ideally 3 years relevant experience at the same or similar level
Strong leadership, project management skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Demonstrated ability to drive innovation for sales and margin growth.
Proficiency in technical packaging tools, services, and processes.
Ability to align and coordinate across diverse teams and divisions.
Join us and become a driving force in shaping the future of innovation in our organization. Apply now to take on this exciting opportunity as our Central Innovation Specialist.
Benefits
Competitive salary
Discretionary bonus
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Car allowance
Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
Share save scheme
Private medical insurance
Salary- sacrifice electric car scheme
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts
Cycle to work scheme
Location: Remote role – with travel
About us
We’re DS Smith, the FTSE100 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, proudly employing over 30,000 people, and 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.
