Group Innovation Graduate Programme London 2024

We’re looking for outstanding graduates (engineering or product design disciplines preferred) 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 within our London Head Quarters or our Redditch Innovation Centre will be an exciting opportunity for creative minds to work on innovative projects, which will transform our offering to customers.

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 over eighty years and operate in over thirty countries across the UK, Europe and the United States. From food and beverage packaging in your local supermarket to every Amazon parcel which arrives at your door, DS Smith has created packaging, which is innovative, secure and kinder to our planet.

About the programme

The role, which can be based either at our London office in Paddington, or in our innovation centre in Redditch, will begin in our Growth Platform Teams. We have two platforms which the successful graduate could get involved in. The first is our Channel Agility Ability platform, where you’ll focus on FMCG brands such as Nestle and Unilever, to determine the art of the possible in regards to deliver adaptable packaging with flexibility which will serve different retail channels. This will involve working with robots to create flexible, adaptable, strong and sustainable packaging which our factories across the country could then implement and deliver on our commitments.

The second channel is focused on reusable packaging, particularly in the ecommerce space. We work with big ecommerce brands such as Amazon to deliver cost effective, sustainable and robust packaging. We also have a commitment to provide 20% reusable packaging by 2030, therefore you’ll be responsible for helping us find opportunities for fibre based reusable packaging, developing propositions which will help us deliver on this target. This goes beyond just the simple cardboard box. You could be exploring alternatives to the standard packaging offer, or even exploring the supply chain to see where we can become more sustainable, working with our partners, our customers, our suppliers, NGOs and regulators to build a whole system for reuse packaging. This will be a rounded role which will give you exposure to internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts, giving you access to key innovative projects which will revolutionise the future of packaging.

The second placement will take place in Commercial. You’ll be working closely with the Group Innovation new business development team and packaging SMI 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.

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 (preferably in an engineering or product design discipline) 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 Centres will be held on the 22nd March.