Design for Implementation

DS Smith Europe; Hinckley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

25 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme, life assurance and, 
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Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

DS Smith is seeking a Design for Implementation Specialist to turn packaging concepts into manufacturable, commercially successful solutions. You will balance performance, sustainability, and cost while guiding prototypes, tooling, and NPI through to production.

With 3+ years in packaging design and strong CAD skills (ArtiosCAD preferred), you will collaborate across manufacturing, sales, and innovation to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' design experience in packaging or related fields.
• Technical knowledge of packaging materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD and packaging software; good 2D/3D drawings.
• Strong project management, communication and multi-stakeholder work.

Responsibilities

• Process and manage daily design enquiries from stakeholders.
• Translate customer requirements into practical packaging solutions.
• Develop fit-for-purpose designs balancing performance, sustainability, and cost.
• Create technical and manufacturing drawings with specs.
• Support NPI processes and manufacturing approvals.
• Route specifications through systems for accurate implementation.
• Produce prototypes and manage prototype materials.
• Raise tooling orders and manage technical specs.
• Support line trials, efficiency and waste reduction initiatives.
• Lead packaging optimisation projects and logistics pallet planning.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, sales, innovation and customer teams.

Skills

Design experience

CAD software

2D and 3D drawings

Project management

Analytical problem-solving

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication & presentation

Education

Packaging industry qualification

Product Design qualification

Maths and English qualifications

Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma qualification

Tools

ArtiosCAD

CAP E/Optim

Job description

About the role

At DS Smith, we're redefining packaging through innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused solutions. We are looking for a Design for Implementation Specialist to join our team and play a critical role in transforming packaging concepts into manufacturable, commercially successful solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced packaging professional who combines technical expertise, creativity, and project management skills to deliver high-quality packaging solutions that meet customer requirements while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• As a Design for Implementation Specialist, you will:
• Process and manage daily design enquiries from internal and external stakeholders.
• Assess customer insights and translate requirements into practical packaging solutions.
• Develop fit-for-purpose designs that balance performance, sustainability, manufacturing capability, and cost.
• Create and maintain technical and manufacturing drawings, including structural and graphic specifications.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) processes and manufacturing approvals.
• Route specifications through business systems to ensure accurate implementation.
• Produce prototypes and manage prototype materials to support customer and internal evaluations.
• Raise and manage tooling orders and technical specifications.
• Support production line trials, efficiency improvements, waste reduction initiatives, and margin enhancement projects.
• Provide support for board grade modelling, PACE activities, and packaging optimisation projects.
• Develop inbound and outbound logistics pallet plans to maximise supply chain efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, sales, innovation, commercial, and customer teams to ensure successful project delivery.

About you

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3 years' design experience, packaging experience would be advantageous.
• Technical knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and product development preferred.
• Experience using CAD software, preferably ArtiosCAD, alongside packaging-related software such as CAPE, Optim, or similar.
• Understanding of 2D and 3D technical drawings.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Packaging industry qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Product Design qualification or related discipline.
• Maths and English qualifications.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications.
• Competent user of CAD and graphics software.
• Health & Safety qualification desirable.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma qualification desirable.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is a proactive self-starter with a creative mindset.
• Enjoys solving complex challenges and finding innovative solutions.
• Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Shares best practices and supports continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
• Champions health and safety in everything they do.
• Builds strong relationships and collaborates effectively across teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts
• Cycle to work scheme

Location: Hinckley

Hours: Full Time

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

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