We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Cluster Design & Innovation Manager to lead design, innovation, and creative packaging development across our Hungarian cluster. This role is critical in driving customer-centric innovation, strengthening market competitiveness, and supporting profitable growth through outstanding design and technical expertise.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and implement the Design & Innovation (D&I) strategy across the cluster, ensuring alignment with divisional goals
- Manage and develop the Pack Right Centre and design teams, driving excellence in creative, technical, and manufacturing design
- Deliver innovative packaging solutions that meet customer needs and market trends
- Lead customer workshops and collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to create impactful design solutions
- Oversee the full lifecycle of packaging development, including concept creation, prototyping, and implementation
- Optimize existing products to improve efficiency, quality, and cost performance
- Ensure designs are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and cluster standards
- Drive cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across sites and regions
- Manage the cluster D&I budget and ensure efficient resource allocation
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing design and innovation team
- Build a deep understanding of customer requirements, market trends, and retail expectations
- Strengthen customer relationships through innovation workshops and joint development projects
- Identify opportunities to create value through packaging innovation and design excellence
- Degree in design, packaging technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Proven experience in managing design teams in a manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and testing processes
- Experience in customer-facing innovation and workshop facilitation
- Strategic mindset with strong commercial awareness
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work effectively in a matrix and cross-functional environment
- Proficiency with design tools (e.g. ArtiosCAD, 3D design software) and Microsoft Office
- Fluent English and native-level Hungarian (both written and spoken)
- A strategic leadership role with high business impact
- Opportunity to shape innovation and design capabilities at cluster level
- International environment with strong collaboration across regions
- Home-office opportunity
If you are passionate about innovation, customer value creation, and leading creative teams, we look forward to your application.
#LI-DM
Skills Required
- Degree in design, packaging technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Proven experience managing design teams in a manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and testing processes
- Experience in customer-facing innovation and workshop facilitation
- Strategic mindset with strong commercial awareness
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work effectively in a matrix and cross-functional environment
- Proficiency with design tools (e.g. ArtiosCAD, 3D design software) and Microsoft Office
- Fluent English and native-level Hungarian (written and spoken)
DS Smith Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about DS Smith and has not been reviewed or approved by DS Smith.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered okay to good across many roles, with some plants indicating competitive or above‑market hourly rates for operators and similar positions. This supports a broadly fair perception of base pay even as experiences vary by site.
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. offerings include day‑one medical/vision and dental, employer HSA contributions, and 100% company‑paid life and short/long‑term disability, alongside an EAP. Some role descriptions also highlight mental‑health and fertility options.
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Retirement Support — Packages commonly reference a 401(k) with company match and, in some locations, pension eligibility or company‑funded retirement contributions. This positions retirement benefits as a meaningful component of total rewards.
DS Smith Insights
What We Do
DS Smith provides innovative packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services with a commitment to sustainability and a circular economy. Our core purpose is to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World, and our expert teams work closely with like-minded partners to incorporate renewable resources for products that minimize our environmental impact, reduce complexity and increase profitability through supply chain optimization
