Full-Time
Design for Innovation Specialist
DS Smith
10,001+ employees
End-to-end sustainable, plastic-free packaging solutions
No salary listed
Devizes, UK
Remote
Remote role with travel; ideally within easy reach of South Wales, South West England, and London.
 Art, Graphics & Animation (1) |
|---|
Get referred to DS Smith
See people who can refer or advise you
- The candidate should have an excellent project management track record.
- The candidate should have experience implementing continuous improvement and value engineering programmes.
- The candidate should have experience in the packaging industry, ideally in a technical or design role.
- The candidate should have a good technical understanding of materials and box performance factors.
- The candidate should have strong communication, presentation, and organisational skills.
- The candidate should be able to develop and execute alternative solutions.
- The candidate should have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The candidate should have excellent project and time management skills.
- The candidate should have good written and verbal communication skills.
- The candidate should be able to manage and prioritise activities to maximise value creation, business retention, and profitable growth.
- The candidate should commit to personal development programmes for continuous improvement.
- Manage and deliver programmes and projects across the UK North Cluster.
- Drive the Innovation Agenda using a solution-driven approach to deliver the customer value proposition and achieve profitable growth.
- Support the sales team by scoping technical requirements and presenting solutions that maximise successful conversion.
- Support onboarding of new business to ensure it is implemented correctly the first time.
- Support and, when applicable, lead Impact and PackRight Centre visits.
- Deliver margin enhancement projects and contractual value engineering agreements.
- Provide technical support to customers remotely and at their premises.
- Walk customer lines to identify, propose, and manage ongoing technical improvements.
- Develop commercially viable innovation solutions aligned with insight, category management, and specific customer challenges.
- Support innovation content development, Strategic Innovation Sessions, and bespoke PackRight customer sessions.
- Monitor and coordinate key projects aligned with Design and Innovation strategic goals.
- Regularly review projects to ensure they remain on track, deliver committed results, and are completed successfully.
DS Smith provides sustainable, plastic-free packaging and related services worldwide. It covers design, manufacturing, recycling, and paper products for consumer goods, e-commerce, and industrial clients. The company operates an end-to-end, circular-economy model to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Its Now and Next strategy guides its sustainability actions to help customers shift toward responsible packaging and better resource efficiency.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1940
Get referred to DS Smith
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- REUSE FAST TRACK targets 250,000 reusable packages in France by September 2026.
- Porcari’s 1,650-tonne recycled-fibre line started in 2026 for FMCG and e-commerce demand.
- Romania got €14 million of DS Smith investment in 2026, expanding capacity through 2027.
What critics are saying
- DS Smith plans Launceston closure in 2026, threatening 167 UK jobs.
- International Paper’s 2025 takeover triggers asset sales and management distraction across Europe.
- Launceston shows existential commoditization risk: packaging customers force cheaper suppliers and volume collapses.
What makes DS Smith unique
- DS Smith pairs corrugated design with recycling and reuse systems across customers.
- Its Schneider Electric switchgear pack won WorldStar 2026 for industrial circularity.
- International Paper integration gives DS Smith global scale and procurement leverage.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Paid Vacation
401(k) Company Match
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Mental Health Support
Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 9%1 year growth
↑ 9%2 year growth
↑ 9%DS Smith creates new packaging for Schneider Electric. 28 July 2026 DS Smith and Schneider Electric have collaborated to launch a universal high-performance electrical switchgear packaging design. Created for three different types of integrated electrical switchgear products, the packaging development supports Schneider Electric's sustainability ambitions by reducing material use and improving circularity in the supply chain. The switchgear components are integrated into the switchgear cabinet as a part of a finished final design, while the packaging solution comprises corrugated cardboard and is fully recyclable. The focus of the design is to facilitate its secure attachment to the moving parts of the large industrial products and ensure that they are easy to handle and manoeuvre during the production, transportation, and supply chain process. The packaging solution is also designed to fit easily into automated production lines, and the heavy-duty weight of the electrical switchgear products means they can only be moved and packed from the side with the use of an industrial manipulator. The moving parts of the three electrical switchgear products require securing into the correct position to be safely transported, with the packaging providing protection during challenging or unexpected transportation and supply chain conditions, DS explained. An openable side tray provides a 'stable' base, ensuring easy handling and that the products can be firmly anchored into place. In addition, the parts are fixed with the same corrugated cardboard sheet elements and integrated into a separate endcap. The solution is inclusive of a polyethylene bag to protect the greased elements of the product from dust. Similarly, metal connectors are protected by a simple folded corrugated cardboard insert, and each side element is glued together with several layers of corrugated cardboard. The multi-layered endcaps are also comprised of fibre-based corrugated cardboard materials. Levente Szabó, cluster director at DS Smith Hungary, commented, "The Electrical Switchgear is a complex industrial product, and it can be incredibly heavy and delicate to transport, and so achieving the correct balance between protection, handling efficiency, and sustainability, is absolutely key in a packaging solution. This design demonstrates what can be achieved with fibre-based and corrugated cardboard solutions. The intention was to make a solution that is not only robust, but fast and easy to assemble, and both sustainability and recyclability are extremely important factors for our customer."
DS Smith and Schneider Electric develop recyclable switchgear packaging design. DS Smith and Schneider Electric have created a recyclable, corrugated cardboard packaging design for heavy electrical switchgear products, cutting material use and increasing supply-chain circularity, and winning a WorldStar Global Packaging Award for 2026. DS Smith, an International Paper company that provides fibre-based packaging solutions, and Schneider Electric, an energy management, automation and digitalisation company, have developed a packaging design for three types of integrated electrical switchgear products. The companies say the packaging development supports Schneider Electric's sustainability goals by reducing material use and improving circularity in the supply chain. The switchgear components are integrated into the switchgear cabinet as part of a finished final design. The packaging is made of corrugated cardboard and is recyclable. The design is intended to allow secure attachment to the moving parts of the industrial products and to allow them to be handled and manoeuvred during production, transportation and the supply chain process. Design for mobility. The packaging is designed to fit into automated production lines. Due to the weight of the electrical switchgear products, they can only be moved and packed from the side using an industrial manipulator - a rigid arm-lifting device designed to assist in handling heavy, awkward or fragile packages. The moving parts of the three electrical switchgear products require securing into position for transport, while the packaging is intended to provide protection during transportation and supply chain conditions. An openable side tray provides a base intended to allow handling and to anchor the products in place. The parts are fixed with corrugated cardboard sheet elements integrated into a separate endcap. The packaging includes a polyethylene bag to protect greased elements of the product from dust. Metal connectors are protected by a folded corrugated cardboard insert, and each side element is glued together with several layers of corrugated cardboard. The multi-layered endcaps are also made from fibre-based corrugated cardboard. Safety components. The DS Smith design and implementation team drop-tested the packaging as part of the design and compliance process - a controlled procedure that involves releasing packaging from a set height to measure resistance to impact, shocks and potential structural damage. The design is intended to reduce unused space and use fewer materials, with the aim of reducing freight and storage costs. The packaging forms part of Schneider Electric's wider sustainability efforts across its value chain. As part of its Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) programme, which ended last year, the company says it increased the share of primary and secondary packaging free from single-use plastic, using recycled cardboard, to 85% by the last quarter of 2025. According to DS Smith, the packaging solution's components can be assembled in less than one minute on an automated packaging line, with minimal folding required during assembly. The High-performance Electrical Switchgear packaging for Schneider Electric was awarded in the Electronics category at the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards for 2026.
DS Smith and Schneider Electric innovate High-performance Electrical Switchgear packaging solution. -Protective fibre-based sustainable design for the transportation of heavy-duty electrical switchgear products. -Complex structure with fixed moving parts and multi-layered endcaps for easy handling and safety. LONDON, Tuesday 28th July 2026 - DS Smith, an International Paper company, and leading provider of fibre-based and sustainable packaging solutions, and Schneider Electric a global energy technology leader and specialist in energy management, automation, and digitalization, have collaborated to innovate a universal High-performance Electrical Switchgear packaging design for three different types of integrated electrical switchgear products. The packaging development supports Schneider Electric's broader sustainability ambitions by reducing material use and improving circularity in the supply chain. More headlines. Articles. The switchgear components are integrated into the switchgear cabinet as a part of a finished final design, and the pioneering packaging solution is comprised of corrugated cardboard and fully recyclable. This reflects Schneider Electric's commitment to reducing environmental impact across its value chain and aligning packaging choices with broader circularity and decarbonization goals. The focus of its design is intended to facilitate its secure attachment to the moving parts of the large industrial products and ensure that they are easy to handle and manoeuvre during the production, transportation, and supply chain process. Design for mobility The packaging solution is also designed to fit easily into automated production lines, and the heavy-duty weight of the electrical switchgear products means that they can only be moved and packed from the side with the use of an industrial manipulator (a specialised rigid arm-lifting device designed to assist in the handling of heavy, awkward, or fragile packages). The moving parts of the three electrical switchgear products, require securing into the correct position to be safely transported, while the packaging provides protection during challenging or unexpected transportation and supply chain conditions. An openable side tray provides a stable base, ensuring easy handling, and to ensure that the products can be firmly anchored into place for optimum product protection. In addition, the parts are fixed with the same corrugated cardboard sheet elements and integrated into a separate endcap. The packaging solution is inclusive of a polyethylene bag to protect the greased elements of the product from dust. Similarly, metal connectors are protected by a simple folded corrugated cardboard insert, and each side element is glued together with several layers of corrugated cardboard to provide the highest-level of stability. The multi-layered endcaps are also comprised of fibre-based corrugated cardboard materials. Safety components The DS Smith design and implementation team drop tested the packaging solution as a part of the design and compliancy process, and as a controlled procedure to assess the products durability and safety by releasing it from a set height to measure its resistance to impact, shocks, and potential structural damage. It is also designed to negate unused or void space and to be compact to optimise the use of as few materials as possible, with reduced freight and storage costs. The packaging initiative complements Schneider Electric's sustainability efforts, which span the company's whole value chain. As part of its SSI (Schneider Sustainability Impact) program, which ended last year, Schneider Electric increased the share of primary and secondary packaging free from single-use plastic, using recycled cardboard to 85% by the last quarter of 2025. Levente Szabó, Cluster Director, DS Smith Hungary, comments "The Electrical Switchgear is a complex industrial product, and it can be incredibly heavy and delicate to transport, and so achieving the correct balance between protection, handling efficiency, and sustainability, is absolutely key in a packaging solution. This design demonstrates what can be achieved with fibre-based and corrugated cardboard solutions. The intention was to make a solution that is not only robust, but fast and easy to assemble, and both sustainability and recyclability are extremely important factors for our customer." Despite the complexity of the High-performance Electrical Switchgear packaging solution, its components can be assembled in less than one minute on any advanced and automated packaging line, with minimal folding required during the assembly process. The High-performance Electrical Switchgear packaging for Schneider Electric was awarded in the Electronics category at the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards for 2026. DS Smith has a target-led sustainability strategy and is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for its customers worldwide.
DS Smith Tecnicarton wins GoldPack Award for packaging digitalization project. DS Smith Tecnicarton has confirmed it has received the 2026 GoldPack Award for Best Digitalisation Project, recognising its development of an automated packaging design configurator. Presented by the packaging cluster organisation, the award recognises technological innovation within the packaging industry. DS Smith Tecnicarton's winning project is a tool developed in-house by its Design department to automate the creation of 3D packaging designs across a range of formats, including corrugated board, wood, pallets and returnable packaging solutions. The configurator converts customer requirements, including dimensions, material specifications and regulatory constraints, into a validated 3D design, technical documentation and a commercial quotation. By automating these processes, the system is designed to reduce repetitive manual design work while linking product definition, technical programming and digital publication within a single workflow. "The configurator has generated more than 2,000 packaging models, ranging from standard FEFCO designs to more complex returnable packaging and flexible interior solutions," said the company in a statement. "Built on the DriveWorks platform, the system applies engineering rules and design logic to automate tasks that have traditionally required manual input. DS Smith Tecnicarton says the approach enables it to combine automation with the flexibility needed to develop customised packaging solutions. The configurator integrates multiple stages of the business process by connecting technical, commercial and production teams. Technical requirements and design rules are incorporated into the system, enabling the commercial team to generate quotations and customer documentation more quickly, while helping to reduce errors between the design and manufacturing stages." The project was developed through collaboration between the company's Design and commercial teams, alongside technology partner DriveWorks, which worked with DS Smith Tecnicarton to adapt its platform to the requirements of industrial packaging design. * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share on Whatsapp * Share on LinkedIn * Send link to friend
DS Smith starts up ANDRITZ stock preparation line in Italy. The equipment is part of a paper production set-up for packaging grades made from 100% recycled fibre. DS Smith has started up a stock preparation line and reject treatment system supplied by ANDRITZ at its Porcari mill in Italy. The equipment is part of a paper production set-up for packaging grades made from "100% recycled fibre" and aimed at the fast-moving consumer goods and e-commerce markets. Built for a capacity of 1,650tpd, the line can handle various recovered paper grades. A central component is a FibreFlow drum pulper described as the largest of its type in Europe. The machine is also the 300th FibreFlow drum pulper supplied by ANDRITZ worldwide. It is intended to pulp material gently while removing coarse contaminants, helping maintain steady operations and uniform fibre quality. The line also includes screens and LC-cleaners to maintain stock quality and reduce energy use under changing raw material conditions. The reject treatment section has a shredder and reject compactors to process material removed during pulping and coarse screening. ANDRITZ's scope for the project also covered basic and detailed engineering, commissioning, installation supervision, and operator training. DS Smith project head Alessandro Romagnolo said: "The successful start-up of this line is an important milestone for its Porcari mill. The project demonstrates the strong cooperation between its team and ANDRITZ. "With the new system now in operation, we are able to efficiently process a wide range of recovered paper grades and reliably produce high-quality packaging papers from 100% recycled fibre." ANDRITZ is an international technology group supplying plants, equipment, services, and digital systems to sectors, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, and environmental industries. Founded in 1852 and based in Austria, the listed company has 30,000 employees across 280 locations in more than 80 countries. Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.