Ideation and Solutions Specialist

DS Smith; Redditch; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions company in Redditch is looking for an Ideation and Solutions Specialist to drive innovation within the Future Innovation Team. You will generate creative ideas for future products, working independently and collaboratively to shape concepts from initial brainstorming to credible outcomes. The ideal candidate brings expertise in packaging manufacturing, is energised by emerging materials and technologies, and has strong creative thinking abilities. Join us to push the boundaries of innovation and realize new possibilities in packaging solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in early-stage innovation.
• Hands-on experience of customer packaging lines.
• Demonstrate capability to translate technologies into solutions.

Responsibilities

• Drive ideation and concept generation.
• Explore ideas through sketching and prototyping.
• Collaborate with specialists to develop ideas.
• Contribute to handover materials for further stage.

Skills

Creative thinking

Problem-solving skills

Experience with CAD tools

Knowledge of packaging manufacturing processes

Ability to work collaboratively in teams

Ability to navigate ambiguity

Tools

CAD software

3D printing tools

Job description

As Ideation and Solutions Specialist in the Future Innovation Team, you will be responsible for generating new ideas that could over time be commercially viable and deliver customer delight. You will work at the front end of concept creation, where creativity is fast and free flowing, imagining what could be possible and shaping early thinking into credible starting points for future products and systems. While packaging concepts are central, your scope will cover a broad range, from primary consumer packaging through to industrial solutions. You will consider how new technologies and materials, once introduced, could be applied to influence how we manufacture, how customers pack, and how operations could evolve. You will work both independently and in group sessions to explore possibilities and evolve ideas.

• Drive new ideation and concept generation for future products and systems, having in mind the innovation road map consisting of a broad portfolio of categories from FMCG to Industrial
• Explore and evolve ideas through sketching, prototyping and creative thinking
• Imagine and ideate how new materials and technologies could unlock new possibilities
• Work independently and in collaborative sprints to shape new concepts
• Collaborate with other specialists to develop ideas into credible outcomes
• Contribute to handover materials when concepts move to the next stage
• Ensure a funnel for new ideas with continuous addition.
• Experience working in early-stage, radical or semi-radical innovation
• Recognised subject matter expert in packaging manufacturing processes, with hands‑on experience of customer packaging lines and operations. Proven ability to turn this expertise into radical, credible concepts
• Energised by emerging materials and technologies and their potential to unlock new possibilities, with demonstrated capability to translate these into practical, innovative solutions
• Expert CAD and 3D printing tools and other applications
• Experience contributing to ideation and concept development in cross‑functional teams
• Curious, passionate and open‑minded self‑starter with a drive to push the boundaries of thinking beyond the box and see the bigger picture
• Strong creative thinking and problem‑solving skills, able to communicate ideas clearly and simply
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shaping ideas at the front end of innovation.