At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive innovative packaging solutions and enhance sustainability at DS Smith.
- Company: Join a global leader in sustainable packaging with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a diverse team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on packaging design while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: GCSEs, packaging design experience, and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Design for Variation Specialist to help drive smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable packaging solutions at DS Smith. Based within one of the world’s leading Global Automotive Distribution Centres, you’ll be part of our Mercia Design & Innovation Team, who play a key role in designing, maintaining and enhancing packaging solutions for a major customer’s global aftermarket network.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for identifying and delivering packaging improvement opportunities that create real value through:
- Reduced customer costs
- Optimised supply chain performance
- Improved product protection & damage reduction
- Improved sustainability impacts
You’ll oversee the day‑to‑day management of packaging Bills of Materials, while also identifying opportunities to simplify, rationalise and standardise our packaging range using an 80/20 mindset. This is a collaborative, hands-on role where you'll work closely with:
- Our customer and their 3PL provider
- Creative and Automotive Designers
- Internal technical, operational and commercial teams
Main Responsibilities will include:
- Design & Innovation
- Develop fit-for-purpose packaging solutions
- Produce conceptual/local prototypes and manage materials
- Create technical drawings, reports and packaging specifications
- Support NPI processes, internal trials and quality improvements
- Create inbound & outbound logistics pallet plans
- Provide design-for-implementation and creative support
- Continuous Improvement
- Apply DS Smith Way principles to drive ongoing improvements
- Build CI pipelines to deliver annual packaging spend savings
- Optimise systems, metrics and standards to maximise performance
- Collaboration & Communication
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal teams
- Clearly communicate project requirements and business benefits
- Represent DS Smith with professionalism and customer focus
- Data & Analysis
- Manage and interpret large data sets with strong attention to detail
- Produce compelling justification documents outlining benefits
- Health, Safety & Environment
- Take ownership for safe ways of working
- Promote a proactive culture of safety and continuous improvement
To succeed, you’ll need strong analytical skills, the ability to communicate clearly, and the creativity to turn insights into innovative, practical packaging solutions.
Minimum requirements:
- GCSEs (or equivalent)
- Experience designing packaging
- Strong competence in MS Office
- Confident user of CAD and graphics software
- Understanding of 2D/3D drawings
- Self-motivated, detail-focused and able to drive project momentum
- Able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively
- Demonstrates DS Smith values: Caring, Challenging, Trusted, Responsive & Tenacious
Desirable:
- A-levels or degree in a design-related subject
- Knowledge of corrugated automotive packaging & supply cycles
- Experience in manufacturing or warehousing environments
- Strong commercial awareness
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location: Swadlincote - Mercia Global Automotive Distribution Centre
Working hours: Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 16:00pm
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.
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.
Design for Variation Specialist in Swadlincote employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Mercia Global Automotive Distribution Centre in Swadlincote. Our culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth while championing sustainability and efficiency in packaging solutions. With competitive benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, pension scheme, and employee discounts, we are committed to supporting our team members both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design for Variation Specialist in Swadlincote
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at DS Smith. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to interview, bring along some of your design work or prototypes. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills and passion for packaging solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss real-world examples. Think about how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially around sustainability and efficiency. We love hearing about practical solutions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Design for Variation Specialist in Swadlincote
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design for Variation Specialist role. Highlight your experience in packaging design and any relevant projects that showcase your creativity and analytical skills.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in CAD and graphics software, as well as your strong competence in MS Office. We want to see how you can bring your technical skills to the table!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and how they relate to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with DS Smith!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Packaging Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the world of packaging design. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in sustainable packaging and be ready to discuss how you can apply these insights at DS Smith. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate advocate for innovative solutions.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since strong analytical skills are essential for this role, prepare examples that highlight your ability to manage and interpret data. Think about times when your analysis led to significant improvements or cost savings in previous projects. Be ready to discuss these in detail.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
This role is all about teamwork, so come prepared with stories that showcase your collaborative spirit. Whether it’s working with designers or communicating with suppliers, illustrate how you’ve built strong relationships and effectively communicated project requirements in the past.
✨Be Ready to Discuss CAD and Design Tools
As a Design for Variation Specialist, proficiency in CAD and graphics software is key. Brush up on your technical skills and be prepared to discuss specific projects where you used these tools. If possible, bring a portfolio of your work to visually demonstrate your capabilities.
