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- Tasks: Lead a creative team to drive packaging innovation and design excellence.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, 25 days holiday, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of packaging while fostering creativity.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in design or manufacturing environments.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and collaboration with forward-thinking colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a driven leader passionate about packaging innovation and design excellence? DS Smith is looking for a high-performing individual to head up our Design & Innovation function across the cluster, managing a creative team and playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our packaging solutions.
As our Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, you will:
- Lead the design and innovation strategy within the cluster, ensuring alignment with our wider Division and Country objectives.
- Manage the PackRight Centre and a talented team of packaging designers, fostering innovation and ensuring high-quality, efficient solutions.
- Drive consistency in design tools, services, KPIs, and reporting, and promote a unified approach to innovation delivery.
- Champion technical innovation and creative design that delivers real value to customers and supports business growth.
- Collaborate closely with sales, manufacturing, and customer teams to ensure we are always innovating to meet market needs.
Key Responsibilities will include:
- Deliver on agreed KPIs and lead innovation development projects that create value and enhance retailer engagement.
- Understand and anticipate customer needs and market trends across the cluster, translating these insights into practical design solutions.
- Develop and maintain deep knowledge of the cluster's manufacturing capabilities, using this to influence packaging design and strategy.
- Ensure all packaging designs meet regulatory standards, developing a local centre of excellence for testing and specification.
- Lead, coach, and grow a high-performing D&I team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to influence major projects, collaborate with forward-thinking colleagues, and make a real impact across the business.
What We're Looking For:
- Strong people leadership and coaching abilities.
- Experience managing innovation/design teams in a manufacturing or packaging environment.
- Change management skills - able to challenge, improve, and drive transformation.
- Commercial acumen with a creative edge - understands how design impacts value.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Highly organised, strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
- A curious mindset - someone who asks why and digs deep for the best solutions.
- Willingness to travel up to 50% of working hours across sites.
- Fluent English required (additional European language desirable).
What we offer:
- Competitive salary + discretionary bonus.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
- Pension scheme, life assurance & income protection.
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme.
- Cycle to work & employee discount programmes.
- Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support.
Turn your passion into a career and help shape the future of sustainable packaging with DS Smith. Ready to Lead the Future of Packaging Innovation?
Location: On Site - Hinckley plus regular travel to sites and customers.
Cluster Design & Innovation Manager in Hinckley employer: DS Smith Packaging Limited
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Packaging Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cluster Design & Innovation Manager in Hinckley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best design work. We want to see how you think outside the box and tackle challenges in innovative ways.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. We need to know you’re genuinely interested in DS Smith and our mission. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with our goals in packaging innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Cluster Design & Innovation Manager in Hinckley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for packaging innovation shine through! We want to see how excited you are about design excellence and how you can contribute to our mission at DS Smith.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Cluster Design & Innovation Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing design teams and driving innovation. We love seeing how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Be Specific About Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use numbers and examples to show how you've driven change and delivered value in design and innovation.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith Packaging Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into DS Smith's recent projects and innovations in packaging. Familiarise yourself with their design philosophy and how they align with market trends. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and share examples of how you've successfully managed and inspired teams in the past. Highlight any specific strategies you've used to foster creativity and collaboration.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to drive innovation. Think of scenarios where you've had to overcome challenges in design or manage change effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the future direction of their design strategy or how they measure success in innovation projects. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to the company's vision.
