Automotive Packaging Growth Hunter (Remote)

DS Smith Plc; West of England; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

Car allowance

Private healthcare

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme, life assurance and |in

Income protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

DS Smith is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to spearhead growth across the UK & Ireland Automotive ecosystem. You will lead strategy, build high-value pipelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn opportunities into repeatable wins.

This remote role requires regular travel for client pitches, site visits, and internal meetings across the UK, demanding a proactive hunter mentality and strong English communication for engaging senior executives.

Qualifications

• Extensive B2B business development experience with a proven track record of securing new business wins.
• Deep knowledge of the Automotive ecosystem, logistics networks, and manufacturing supply chains; packaging industry experience valued but not essential.
• Ability to navigate, influence, and collaborate within multi-level matrix organizations and central teams.
• Strong financial skills including budget ownership, sales forecasting, and target delivery.
• Confident presenter with excellent written and verbal English.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Growth: Develop and execute long- and medium-term market segment strategies for the UK&I Automotive cluster to secure sustainable growth.
• Pipeline & Acquisition: Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects, converting high-value targets.
• Value-Led Pitching: Coordinate with Sales, Marketing, CX, and Design to craft pitches and playbooks focused on solutions over tenders.
• Stakeholder Management: Serve as senior contact for target Automotive clients, leading workshops and providing insights.
• Tender & Onboarding Management: Coordinate cross-functional tender responses and ensure smooth post-award handovers.
• Performance & Insights: Own sales forecasting, budgeting, and monitor market trends and competitors.

Skills

B2B sales

Hunter mindset

Stakeholder management

English communication

Negotiation

Job description

DS Smith is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to spearhead growth across the UK & Ireland Automotive ecosystem. You will lead strategy, build high-value pipelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn opportunities into repeatable wins.

This remote role requires regular travel for client pitches, site visits, and internal meetings across the UK, demanding a proactive hunter mentality and strong English communication for engaging senior executives.