Cluster Packaging Design & Innovation Leader

DS Smith Plc; Husbands Bosworth; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + discretionary bon

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme, life assurance &income

Electric car salary sacrifice scheme

Cycle to work & employee discount

Employee Assistance Programme for well

Job summary

DS Smith Plc in Hinckley is seeking a Cluster Design & Innovation Manager to lead the design and innovation agenda across our packaging division. You will manage the PackRight Centre, guide a team of designers, and ensure high-quality, value-adding solutions for customers.

You will translate market insights into practical design strategies, drive KPI delivery, and collaborate with sales, manufacturing, and customer teams. This is a hands-on leadership role with travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Strong people leadership and coaching abilities.
• Experience managing innovation/design teams in manufacturing/packaging.
• Change management skills – able to challenge, improve, and drive transformation.
• Commercial acumen with a creative edge.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Highly organised, strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% across sites.
• Fluent English; additional European language desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on KPIs and lead innovation projects that create value and retailer engagement.
• Understand and anticipate customer needs and market trends; translate into design solutions.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of the cluster’s manufacturing capabilities to influence design.
• Ensure packaging designs meet regulatory standards; develop testing and specification centre.
• Lead, coach, and grow a high-performing D&I team; foster creativity and continuous improvement.

Skills

People leadership

Packaging design

Innovation management

Change management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Travel up to 50%

Fluent English

Job description

DS Smith Plc in Hinckley is seeking a Cluster Design & Innovation Manager to lead the design and innovation agenda across our packaging division. You will manage the PackRight Centre, guide a team of designers, and ensure high-quality, value-adding solutions for customers.

You will translate market insights into practical design strategies, drive KPI delivery, and collaborate with sales, manufacturing, and customer teams. This is a hands-on leadership role with travel up to 50%.