IBP Senior Specialist

About the role 

Have a passion for end-to-end supply chain integration and data-driven decision-making? Are you seeking an exciting new challenge?

We have a fabulous opportunity for an analytical and proactive professional to join our Paper Sourcing team as an IBP Senior Specialist. Reporting directly to the IBP Manager, this is a pivotal role where you will drive the tactical planning cycles and facilitate cross-functional alignment across our global footprint. 

This is a 6-month Fixed Term Contract (paternity cover) with the potential to extend, as per business needs.

In this role, you will lead the monthly 1–3 month tactical Integrated Business Planning (IBP) cycles while supporting longer-term strategic horizons. You will act as a trusted business partner bridging Sourcing, Sales, Finance, Supply Planning, Manufacturing, and Logistics to ensure harmony between commercial demand, operational supply, inventory targets, and financial objectives. By delivering robust scenario modeling and high-impact analytics, you will highlight supply risks, resolve operational gaps, and optimize working capital. 

A successful candidate must be a confident communicator and problem-solver who can challenge assumptions constructively, drive process standardization, and turn complex data into clear strategic direction. 

​Key responsibilities include:

• ​ IBP Cycle Leadership: Coordinate and lead monthly tactical IBP meetings (1–3 month horizon), preparing analysis and driving cross-functional alignment across demand, supply, inventory, and finance
• Scenario Modeling & Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and resolve supply/demand gaps and manufacturing capacity constraints through scenario modeling and decision-grade insights
• Business Partnering & Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple geographies, challenging planning assumptions to protect customer service and profitability
• Analytics & Performance Tracking: Develop dashboards and KPI analytics to evaluate planning accuracy, inventory health, and operational performance. 
• Strategic & Long-Term Planning: Support strategic planning cycles (1+ year horizon) and help transition tactical insights into long-term business strategy 
• Process & Systems Improvement: Drive standardization, continuous improvement, and the implementation of advanced IBP planning tools and technologies

So, if you are an experienced IBP or S&OP professional looking for a new challenge in a business which prioritises operational excellence and encourages you to make a difference — then we might be looking for you!

About you  

·       Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent; APICS/ASCM (or similar) planning certification preferred

·       5+ years of progressive experience in Integrated Business Planning, Demand/Supply Planning, or S&OP within a multinational, cross-functional environment

·       Proven experience within process manufacturing or industrial sectors; paper, packaging, or recycling experience is a distinct advantage

·       Advanced Excel and financial/commercial modeling skills; hands-on experience with visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) and enterprise planning systems (SAP IBP, OMP, Oracle, or equivalent)

·       Strong understanding of financial planning integration within IBP, balancing cost, service, inventory, and working capital optimization 

·       Excellent presentation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leaders. 

Benefits 

·       Competitive salary

·       25 days holiday plus bank holidays 

·  Employee Assistance Programme

·       Employee Discounts

·       Cycle to work scheme

Location: This is a hybrid role, based in Amsterdam/London/Viana do Castelo with occasional business travel within EMEA as required.

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 sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

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