We’re looking for outstanding graduates at a Masters level to join our Group Innovation graduate programme, beginning in September 2024. This is a great opportunity for versatile talent to contribute to delivering the first commercial successes with radical innovation at DS Smith. The opportunities, which can be undertaken from our fancy corporate headquarters in London or new our R8 Innovation Centre in Redditch, will be an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurial minds to work on innovative projects that will transform the way we as a company do business. Who are DS Smith? You might not have heard of us before, but you’ll likely have handled our products on a daily basis. We’re the leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. We’ve been around for eighty years and operate with 30.000 employees in over thirty countries across the UK, Europe and the United States. From food and beverage packaging in your local supermarket to a parcel arriving at your door, the odds are high that DS Smith has created the packaging. About the programme The role will begin in one of our Growth Platforms. For instance, in the area of Channel Agility, where we are redefining what it means for our customers to be agile in the market place. You’ll be able to flex your muscles helping big global brands adopt highly adaptive packaging created by robots. You may also work in the area of Reuse. As a business, and through our network of customers, we have a key role to play in the transition to a circular economy. You could be developing reusable paper packaging systems for e-commerce to match our expertise in single-use packs, working with customers, partners, suppliers, NGOs and regulators to build a whole system for reusable packaging. The second placement will take place in the Commercial team in Group Innovation. You’ll be working closely with new business development and the Packaging Sales and Marketing organisation to deliver required commercial outputs for customer opportunities. You will run the commercial scenario building and stress testing for business models with a view to ensuring profitable contracts with customers. You will also work closely with Research & Development and the Insight teams to evaluate early stage ideas commercially using the agreed Innovation stage gate process. Throughout your graduate placement, you will have exposure to internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts, giving you access to key innovative projects which will revolutionise the future of packaging and building your network for further career steps. Development Alongside your on-the-job training, you’ll go on the DS Smith Graduate Journey where you’ll have a roadmap of development to support your career. When you join us, you’ll be given a full induction to the business, including a tour of some of our paper, packaging, and innovation factories. In year one, you’ll learn about Self Leadership and Personal Effectiveness, while in year two, you’ll learn about leadership, stakeholder management and influencing. Finally, when the programme ends, you’ll deliver a presentation about your learnings, celebrate your success with a graduation dinner and work with your Talent Lead to find the best permanent home for you. But don’t worry, you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll have a network of graduates to bounce ideas off, be given a mentor and a former graduate will be there for guidance and support throughout your journey. About you To be considered for this role you must have as a minimum: A Masters Degree (for instance in social science, e.g. business management, innovation or economics) or due to achieve this by September 2024. Be strong analytically, commercial focused and have great stakeholder management skills. Be able to start in the business full time on 2nd September 2024. Speak fluently in English (minimum B2 level). Hold the relevant right to work within the UK. Be able to travel flexibly as part of the role. Benefits So what’s in it for you? A starting salary of £30,000. 25 days holiday plus bank holidays. Company pension. Cycle to work programme. Employee Assistance Programme which offers up to eight free counselling sessions per year. Life insurance. Income protection. Assessment centre will be held on the 22nd March.

Company pension, Cycle to work scheme, Life insurance