At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth strategies and develop innovative marketing plans for key segments.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus, 25 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel opportunities across the UK & Ireland.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of sustainable packaging.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the UK & Ireland Marketing team at DS Smith as a Category Manager. This is a highly visible role, responsible for leading the development of our growth agenda across priority segments.
You will help lead the Annual Business Planning process for UK&I through profit pool mapping, category strategy development, growth roadmaps, and market opportunity assessments. Working closely with Sales, the wider Marketing team and Innovation teams, you will combine external market, customer and category insights with internal business intelligence to identify growth opportunities, shape strategic priorities and build targeted customer growth partnerships.
You will also develop differentiated value propositions for key segments and customers, clearly articulating DS Smith's unique value and competitive advantage. Working with the broader Marketing team, you will help shape segment- and account-specific communication plans, providing ongoing category expertise, actionable insights and strategic support to commercial teams across the region to drive customer engagement and business growth.
By developing a deep understanding of market dynamics, industry trends, shopper behaviour, and retail developments, you will translate insights into actionable strategies and initiatives. This includes leading competitor benchmarking, market mapping, customer prioritisation and share-of-wallet analysis to identify and size growth opportunities that drive sales growth, enhance value performance across focus categories, and create competitive advantage for both DS Smith and our customers.
Partnering closely with Sales teams, you will strengthen our position as a trusted packaging and category expert, helping customers navigate evolving market demands while delivering sustainable business growth. You will also support customer engagement through the development of compelling customer presentations, pitches, and growth-focused proposals.
You will play a key role in shaping the innovation agenda, assessing the competitive landscape and our existing product portfolio to identify gaps, growth opportunities, and innovation priorities. You will lead category innovation exploration to address unmet customer needs and pain points, identify emerging packaging and sustainability opportunities, and evaluate the size and commercial potential of opportunities within the market.
This role also involves monitoring sustainability, circular economy and regulatory developments, including PPWR, EUDR and Digital Product Passport requirements, working closely with the Sustainability Manager to translate market and legislative changes into customer opportunities.
To succeed, you will be a strong collaborator and influencer, capable of engaging stakeholders at all levels across a matrix organisation. You will bring experience in category management, strategic marketing, customer insight, combined with a passion for innovation and growth. Experience leading business planning, category planning or strategic account planning processes, and translating market insights into actionable commercial strategies, would be highly advantageous.
If you are commercially minded, insight-driven and passionate about turning market trends into growth opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.
About you:
- Demonstrable Marketing, Category Management, ideally within a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or B2B company
- High familiarity with major market research databases and data sources such as Euromonitor, Mintel, IGD, or Kantar/Nielsen
- Proven ability to link deep analytical research to business performance, driving actionable plans that translate complex consumer and retail trends into clear profit metrics
- Exceptional presentation and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset to confidently guide matrix contacts and establish strong customer partnerships
- Strong organisational capability, acting as an outcome-focused self-starter who can effectively prioritise projects, judge business risks, and manage pre-defined budget targets
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel); a strong curiosity and foundational interest in consumer behaviour, manufacturing supply chains, and fast-changing sales channels (e-commerce, retail marketing)
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 is a home-based role, with the need to travel to our site network across the UK&I and attend client meetings.
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!
Fair recruitment at DS Smith: 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.
Category Manager in Solihull employer: DS Smith
DS Smith is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and employee well-being in the vibrant location of Livingston, Scotland. With opportunities for personal growth and development, alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days holiday and a pension scheme, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to meaningful production processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Solihull
✨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.
✨Leverage Social Media
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
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at DS Smith. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Solihull
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.
