About Us
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide. Through our purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and our Now and Next sustainability strategy, we are committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for our customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions.
About the role
Are you ready to lead the charge in driving innovation and strategic growth?
We're seeking a dynamic UK Innovation Manager to join our team and lead the development, management, and execution of our strategic innovation projects.
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 engaging with medium to large multi-site business units and at Divisional, Group level.
Key accountabilities
Responsibilities include (but not limited to):
1. Lead the development, management, and execution of the strategic innovation project portfolio.
2. Ensure successful transition of innovations from design to deployment.
3. Drive the innovation roadmap in collaboration with customers, categories, and divisions to achieve desired outcomes.
4. Drive and coordinate the strategy and pipeline as part of country strategic Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) leadership.
5. Lead the strategic innovation team to achieve agreed KPIs and associated actions.
6. Promote proactive innovation for sales and margin growth through a total cost of ownership approach.
7. Drive Innovation Sales, Value Creation, and Commercial Excellence KPIs.
8. Foster consistent usage of our technical tools, services, and processes.
9. Ensure alignment and consistency across Clusters, cross-functional teams and as a conduit with Division.
About you
10. University Graduate Preferred
11. Valuable post-graduate / master's degree
12. Proven track record in leading innovation projects and driving strategic growth.
13. Ideally 3 years relevant experience at the same or similar level
14. Strong Leadership, Project management, planning and organisational skills.
15. Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
16. Demonstrated ability to drive innovation for sales and margin growth.
17. Proficiency in technical tools, services, and processes.
18. 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 organisation. Apply now to take on this exciting opportunity as our UK Innovation Manager.
Benefits
Additional benefits include:
19. 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
20. Discretionary bonus
21. Pension scheme
22. Life assurance
23. Income protection
24. Employee assistance program
25. Cycle to work scheme
26. Shopping discounts