About the role
As Design for Creative Specialist, you will manage the creative support service for the cluster and act as a key member of the UK creative team. You will drive, develop, and deploy best practices to support our network and customers in delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
Main Responsibilities will include:
1. Lead creative design processes ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient delivery.
2. Manage design specialists across cluster sites against agreed KPIs for lead times, accuracy, and efficiency.
3. Support the sales process with innovative design tailored to customer needs across sectors such as Point of Sale, E-Commerce, and Industrial packaging.
4. Develop quantified value creation solutions and support NPD activities.
5. Provide visualisation solutions, creative graphics, and presentation materials for new business pitches.
6. Facilitate collaborative workshops and innovation days to drive proactive solutions.
7. Oversee prototype production, including layouts, printed mock-ups, and material management.
8. Contribute to the development and deployment of the UK D&I vision and strategy as part of the cluster leadership team.
About you
Minimum requirements:
Essential:
9. Relevant design qualification or significant experience in the packaging industry.
10. Strong technical understanding of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chain requirements.
11. Proficiency in CAD software (preferably ArtiosCAD) and related packaging tools (Cape, 1A, Optim).
12. Ability to interpret and create 2D and 3D drawings.
13. Excellent project management, communication, and presentation skills.
14. Creative problem-solving ability and strong commercial awareness.
15. Experience leading teams and managing multiple priorities under strict deadlines.
Desirable:
16. Insights into retail market trends and packaging drivers.
17. Good sketching techniques and ability to produce compelling visual concepts.
18. Experience facilitating workshops and delivering proactive innovation projects.
Apply now and join DS Smith in driving sustainable, customer-focused packaging solutions.
Benefits
19. Competitive salary
20. 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
21. Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
22. Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
23. Employee Assistance Programme
24. Employee Discounts
25. Cycle to work scheme
Location: Hinckley
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday
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.
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