At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer engagement strategies and create impactful workshops for strategic partnerships.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus, 25 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be the voice of the customer and drive real change in packaging solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B marketing or customer engagement; strong storytelling and presentation skills.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Have a passion for high-impact customer experiences, compelling storytelling, and strategic collaboration? Are you seeking an exciting new challenge? We have a fabulous opportunity for an energetic, creative, and customer-focused professional to join us as Customer Engagement Manager within our UK&I Packaging division. This is a high-exposure role where you will lead the business in growing and strengthening strategic partnerships by showcasing our expertise, packaging innovations, and sustainable solutions.
You would be responsible for developing and delivering the UK&I Customer Engagement strategy and roadmap, aligning activity to strategic customers, growth opportunities, account plans and business objectives. Acting as both a strategic facilitator and the vital "Voice of the Customer" back into DS Smith, you will develop and deliver our customer engagement roadmap. You will create inspiring physical, virtual, and hybrid workshop experiences across our Customer Innovation Hubs and customer locations.
Partnering closely with Sales, Marketing, Sustainability and Design & Innovation teams, you will translate market intelligence, category dynamics, and supply chain insights into targeted Account-Based Marketing (ABM) programmes that drive commercial growth and solve real-world customer challenges. You would also be responsible for coaching and mentoring a team member to support you as you manage the day-to-day activity at the Customer Impact Centre.
A successful candidate must be a natural storyteller and relationship builder who thrives in front of an audience, co‑creating solutions with key decision‑makers and elevating our customer value proposition.
Key responsibilities include:
- Workshop & Event Leadership - Design, facilitate, and deliver tailored 1:1 and 1:many customer workshops, webinars, and inspiration sessions across physical, hybrid, and virtual environments
- Innovation Hub & Asset Management - Maintain and continually refresh the Customer Innovation Hub experiences, ensuring brand excellence and impactful showcase of new solutions
- Sales Enablement & Storytelling - Build compelling presentation assets, co‑create pitch materials, and align content with customer account plans, tenders, and ABM priorities
- Voice of the Customer - Develop a deep understanding of customer challenges, category dynamics and market trends, translating insights into compelling customer engagement opportunities and feeding these back into the business to shape future priorities, innovation and growth opportunities
- Cross-Functional Partnering - Collaborate with regional Sales, Design & Innovation squads, and sustainability leads to coordinating multi‑disciplinary customer sessions
- Performance & Impact Tracking - Measure and report on customer engagement metrics, tracking CRM‑linked opportunities, Net Promoter Score (NPS), and event ROI
So, if you are an engaging communicator with a passion for creative collaboration and customer‑centric growth, then we might be looking for you!
About you
- Proven experience in a customer‑facing B2B marketing, sales enablement, or customer engagement role within FMCG, manufacturing, retail, or agency environments
- Degree or professional qualification in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related discipline – desirable
- A passion for packaging, innovation and sustainability, along with the ability to bring customer, consumer and market insights to life through compelling storytelling and engagement experiences
- Outstanding presentation, public speaking, and workshop facilitation skills, with a track record of engaging senior decision‑makers and large audiences
- Strong commercial mindset with the ability to translate consumer trends, sustainability priorities, and category insights into tangible business opportunities
- Proficient in PowerPoint, virtual collaboration tools (360° virtual environments/webinars), and end‑to‑end event/vendor coordination
- An energetic, proactive self‑starter with a collaborative spirit, comfortable navigating ambiguity and managing diverse stakeholders across a matrix organisation
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Discretionary bonus
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location: This role is primarily based at our Customer Impact Centre in Fordham, which is our state‑of‑the‑art customer engagement facility.
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.
Customer Engagement Manager in Cambourne employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our Global Governance Assistant Secretary role offers not only competitive benefits but also ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic international environment. Join us in our commitment to sustainability and innovation, where your contributions will make a meaningful impact across our global operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Engagement Manager in Cambourne
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for DS Smith and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like DS Smith are looking for.
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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with DS Smith on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Customer Engagement Manager in Cambourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit DS Smith. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of DS Smith:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about DS Smith’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at DS Smith will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At DS Smith, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
