Prototype Design Specialist

DS Smith; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging company is seeking a Trainee Prototype Specialist in Ormskirk to join its Design & Innovation team. This entry-level role offers full training and involves producing prototypes, ensuring high-quality standards, and collaborating with multiple sites. Ideal for detail-oriented and tech-savvy individuals eager to start a career in packaging design. Competitive salary and benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life assurance and income protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Full training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Introductory experience with CAD or similar design tools.
• Previous experience in a similar role (not essential).
• Familiarity with corrugated materials and packaging design.
• A genuine interest in developing a career in Packaging Design & Innovation.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil prototype requests in line with customer specifications and priorities.
• Manage and prioritise the manufacturing schedule.
• Ensure high standards of safety, quality, and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple sites.
• Operate CAD software, rapid prototyping hardware, and printing equipment.
• Dispatch high-quality samples that reflect design excellence.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Organised

Collaborative

Curious and eager to learn

Tech-savvy

Tools

CAD software

Job description

? Based at DS Smith Burscough – L40 0SY

? Full-time | Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm | 40 hours per week

? Entry-level with full training provided

About the Role

We’re looking for a diligent and detail-oriented individual to join our Design & Innovation team as a Trainee Prototype Specialist. This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for someone looking to start a career in packaging design or for those with some industry experience seeking to broaden their skills.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for producing both plain and printed prototypes that meet customer requirements. Working from our Burscough site, you’ll manage prototype requests through our ordering system, ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate production. You’ll also collaborate remotely with multiple DS Smith sites to support the creation of bespoke packaging solutions.

You’ll be the crucial link between our design concepts and the physical samples that make a lasting first impression with our clients.

Key Responsibilities

As a Trainee Prototype Specialist, you’ll play a key role in bringing our packaging concepts to life.

Responsibilities will be to:

• Fulfil prototype requests in line with customer specifications and priorities
• Manage and prioritise the manufacturing schedule
• Ensure high standards of safety, quality, and performance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple DS Smith sites
• Operate CAD software, rapid prototyping hardware, and printing equipment
• Dispatch high-quality samples that reflect our design excellence

What we’re looking for

We’re after someone who is:

• Detail-oriented – you take pride in getting things right the first time
• Organised – you can manage multiple requests and deadlines
• Collaborative – you enjoy working with others to solve problems
• Curious and eager to learn – you’re excited about innovation and design
• Tech-savvy – comfortable learning new software and tools

Our desired Skills & Experience:

• Introductory experience with CAD or similar design tools
• Previous experience in a similar role (not essential)
• Familiarity with corrugated materials and packaging design
• A genuine interest in developing a career in Packaging Design & Innovation

No prior packaging experiences. No problem. Full training will be provided to help you succeed in the role.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary (based on skills and experience)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retail and leisure discounts
• Full training and development opportunities

Why Join DS Smith?

This role offers a fantastic introduction to the world of packaging design and innovation. You’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-leading tools and techniques, work alongside experienced professionals, and contribute to sustainable solutions that make a real difference.

Apply now and take the first step in your design and innovation journey with DS Smith.

About us

We’re DS Smith, the company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America

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.

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