At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead market insight strategy and drive data-driven decision-making across the organisation.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid work model in London or Brussels with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sustainable packaging and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business or related field; experience in market research and analytics.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world‑leading organisation and do your best work with us!
About the role
We are currently looking for a Head of Market Insight and Foresight – a pivotal role in shaping and developing the full potential of the data driven insight and foresight agenda across the organisation, with the ambition to build industry‑leading insight capability and transform how we anticipate change, segment our markets, understand customer needs, and forecast performance that leads to business and growth opportunities. You will develop and lead the EMEA market insight and foresight strategy, aligning with business priorities and long‑term growth objectives. Working cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing and Innovation, Data and IT teams and partnering with trusted external agencies, you will ensure that predictive analytics, scenario planning and customer research are embedded into the way we operate and innovate. This is a senior, high‑visibility role that has an impact on the overall marketing and business strategy and the delivery of all marketing sub‑teams, combining strategic thinking, analytical leadership, and customer‑centric vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the global insight and foresight strategy, identifying key trends, disruptions, opportunities and risks to inform business and innovation strategy
- Build a best‑in‑class insight function that is central to strategic planning, new product development and commercial prioritisation
- Partner with Digital/Data/ IT to apply predictive modelling and machine learning techniques to key business questions
- Run periodic cross‑functional scenario planning sessions to anticipate market shifts and generate proactive responses
- Support the Strategic Marketing functions in market segmentation initiatives, integrating internal and external data to identify high‑potential segments and prospects
- Oversee all customer research programmes within the Sales, Marketing and Innovation function, ensuring strategic alignment, quality and efficiency
- Build strong partnerships with selected research agencies and streamline delivery across projects
- Lead a high‑performing Market Insight team, providing guidance, coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
About You
- A Degree in Business, Economics, Data Science, Marketing or related discipline
- Experience in delivering results in both B2B and B2C organisations
- Technical expertise of market research methodologies e.g. qualitative and quantitative research, applied in strategic commercial projects
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in visualisation and data analysis techniques and tools (Excel, Power BI)
- Excellent storytelling, data visualisation, and PowerPoint skills with the ability to create succinct and impactful narratives that drive action
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and translate market insights and trends into business opportunities
- Demonstrable leadership experience in a Market Insight or Strategy function in a global matrix organisation
- Experience in running scenario planning/foresight workshops cross‑functionally with or without agency support
- Curious about new technologies and entrepreneurial mindset
Benefits
- Competitive salary, annual bonus and car allowance
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Private Medical Insurance, Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location
London (Paddington), UK, or Brussels, Belgium – hybrid
EEO Statement
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.
Head of Market Insight and Foresight in City of Westminster employer: DS Smith Europe
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to drive meaningful change. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and a generous holiday allowance, and the opportunity to work in vibrant locations like London or Brussels, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to our mission of sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Market Insight and Foresight in City of Westminster
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Market Insight and Foresight in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at DS Smith Europe, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Europe
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with DS Smith Europe’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
