At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitable growth and support pricing strategies for key retail accounts.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible home-based role with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced commercial environment with a focus on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Graduate calibre with commercial finance or business partnering experience.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
About the Role
The Commercial Partner - Retail Accounts plays a critical role within the UK Retail Cluster Commercial Team, partnering closely with a Retail Sales Manager and wider Sales and Commercial teams to drive profitable growth across key retail accounts. This position combines commercial finance expertise, pricing strategy, business partnering, and people leadership to support volume and margin growth while delivering value creation initiatives across the retail customer base.
Key Responsibilities
- Pricing & Commercial Support
- Support pricing activities, customer quotations, and tender submissions across retail accounts.
- Work closely with Sales teams to provide commercial insights and recommendations.
- Help analyse pricing data and customer feedback to identify opportunities for growth and profitability.
- Commercial Analysis & Value Creation
- Assist in monitoring account performance, profitability, and commercial trends.
- Support commercial projects and continuous improvement initiatives within the Retail Cluster.
- Use financial and operational data to help inform pricing and business decisions.
- Business Partnering
- Build strong working relationships with Sales, Finance, and Commercial teams.
- Provide clear and accurate analysis to support decision-making.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the business to help deliver commercial objectives.
- Development & Team Support
- Support the wider Commercial team with day-to-day activities and projects.
- Take ownership of personal development and actively seek learning opportunities.
- Develop commercial, analytical, and stakeholder management skills through hands-on experience.
About You
Qualifications
- Graduate calibre.
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with at least 1 year post-qualification experience; or 4-5 years' demonstrable commercial experience in a relevant business environment.
Experience
- Commercial finance, pricing, business partnering, or commercial analysis experience.
- Proven ability to influence and challenge stakeholders.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams.
- Previous leadership or people management experience.
- Manufacturing, FMCG, logistics, or multi-site business experience would be advantageous.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of financial management principles.
- Ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights.
- Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location: home based with frequent travel to sites
Hours: 37.5 - Monday to Friday
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.
Commercial Partner - Retail Accounts 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 Commercial Partner - Retail Accounts in Solihull
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like DS Smith. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Partner - Retail Accounts in Solihull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to DS Smith.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on DS Smith's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with DS Smith.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at DS Smith will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former DS Smith employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
