About DS Smith
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. Operating across multiple sites, we’re committed to redefining packaging for a changing world—delivering innovation, efficiency and long-term value for our customers and communities.
The Role
As Finance Director – UK Packaging, you will act as a strategic partner to the Managing Director, playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering business strategy across a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment.
This is a highly visible leadership role with full accountability for financial performance, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, governance and capital allocation. You will drive sustainable value creation, performance improvement and transformation across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Partner closely with the Managing Director and leadership team to define and deliver the UK strategy
- Act as a trusted adviser and “co‑pilot,” providing insight, challenge and guidance at executive level
- Lead and inspire a high‑performing finance function within a matrix, multi‑site organisation
- Build strong cross‑functional relationships across operations, commercial and central teams
Performance & Insight
- Develop deep understanding of market dynamics, customer economics and operational drivers
- Translate financial and operational data into clear, actionable insights
- Drive robust performance frameworks linking financial outcomes to operational KPIs
- Proactively identify risks, opportunities and performance trends
Value Creation
- Lead pricing strategy and margin optimisation across customers and segments
- Enhance customer and product profitability to support commercial decision‑making
- Drive operational performance improvements in cost, productivity and efficiency
- Deliver transformation initiatives focused on cost reduction, cash generation and sustainable growth
Financial Control & Governance
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and long‑term planning processes
- Ensure strong financial controls, compliance and reporting integrity across all sites
- Lead capital investment decisions with a focus on return and strategic alignment
Cash & Capital Management
- Own P&L, balance sheet and cash flow performance
- Drive working capital optimisation and embed a strong cash culture
- Lead capital allocation and enterprise risk management frameworks
Transformation & Operational Excellence
- Lead the finance transformation agenda, including systems, processes and data capabilities
- Drive digitisation, automation and data‑led decision‑making
- Improve efficiency, standardisation and scalability across the finance function
People & Culture
- Lead, develop and inspire a geographically dispersed finance organisation
- Build strong finance business‑partnering capability across the business
- Develop talent pipelines and succession plans for key roles
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
About You
We are looking for a highly credible and commercially astute finance leader who can operate at scale and pace within a complex manufacturing environment.
You Will Bring
- Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally at Finance Director level
- A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent)
- Strong track record in multi‑site, operational or manufacturing environments
- Proven ability to drive performance improvement, margin enhancement and cash generation
- Experience leading transformation and change in complex, matrix organisations
- Exceptional leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into execution
- Courage, resilience and sound judgement to challenge and drive decisions
