At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitable growth by providing pricing expertise and commercial insights to strategic accounts.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for career growth in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that combines analytics with commercial strategy.
- Qualifications: A-Level education or equivalent with experience in commercial finance or analysis.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially focused and analytically driven Commercial Partner – Strategic Accounts to join the UK Retail Cluster. This role acts as the commercial co-pilot to Strategic Account Managers, providing pricing expertise, commercial insights, demand planning support, and value creation initiatives that drive profitable growth across a portfolio of strategic customers.
The successful candidate will combine strong commercial acumen, financial analysis capabilities, and stakeholder management skills to influence decision-making and maximise volume, revenue, and margin performance.
Key responsibilities- Lead pricing activities across a portfolio of strategic accounts, including tenders, innovation, and price reviews.
- Partner with Strategic Account Managers to optimise revenue, volume, and margin opportunities.
- Analyse customer performance data to provide commercial insights and support decision-making.
- Identify and drive profit enhancement and commercial excellence initiatives across accounts.
- Support demand planning and forecasting, highlighting risks and opportunities.
- Build strong relationships with Sales, Finance, Operations, and other key stakeholders.
- Support tender submissions and wider business development opportunities.
- Share commercial insights, best practice, and market knowledge across the business.
- A-Level education or equivalent.
- Commercial or finance-related experience.
- Strong analytical and numerical capability.
- Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience in pricing, profitability, and margin management.
- Advanced Excel and Power BI skills, with excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Commercially focused and results driven, able to translate data into actionable insights.
- Skilled at building relationships, influencing stakeholders, and constructively challenging to drive business performance.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage both financial and non-financial audiences.
- Proactive, collaborative, highly organised, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Experience in Commercial Finance, Commercial Analysis, Pricing, Revenue Management, FP&A or a similar commercial role.
- Strong track record of partnering with Sales, Commercial and Finance teams.
- Experience in manufacturing, FMCG, retail or multi-site environments is advantageous.
- Exposure to pricing, forecasting, tenders and performance management.
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Pension, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Program
- Digital GP and Health Checks
- Retail and leisure discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location: Hybrid Role – working across various locations in the business.
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!
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 - Strategic Accounts-1 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 - Strategic Accounts-1 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.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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 - Strategic Accounts-1 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.
