Design for Variation Specialist

About the role  

We’re looking for a Design for Variation Specialist to help drive smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable packaging solutions at DS Smith.

Based within one of the world’s leading Global Automotive Distribution Centres, you’ll be part of our Mercia Design & Innovation Team, who play a key role in designing, maintaining and enhancing packaging solutions for a major customer’s global aftermarket network.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for identifying and delivering packaging improvement opportunities that create real value through:

• Reduced customer costs

• Optimised supply chain performance

• Improved product protection & damage reduction

• Improved sustainability impacts

You’ll oversee the day‑to‑day management of packaging Bills of Materials, while also identifying opportunities to simplify, rationalise and standardise our packaging range using an 80/20 mindset.

This is a collaborative, hands-on role where you'll work closely with:

• Our customer and their 3PL provider

• Creative and Automotive Designers

• Internal technical, operational and commercial teams

Main Responsibilities will include:

Design & Innovation

• Develop fit-for-purpose packaging solutions

• Produce conceptual/local prototypes and manage materials

• Create technical drawings, reports and packaging specifications

• Support NPI processes, internal trials and quality improvements

• Create inbound & outbound logistics pallet plans

• Provide design-for-implementation and creative support

Continuous Improvement

• Apply DS Smith Way principles to drive ongoing improvements

• Build CI pipelines to deliver annual packaging spend savings

• Optimise systems, metrics and standards to maximise performance

Collaboration & Communication

• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal teams

• Clearly communicate project requirements and business benefits

• Represent DS Smith with professionalism and customer focus

Data & Analysis

• Manage and interpret large data sets with strong attention to detail

• Produce compelling justification documents outlining benefits

• Health, Safety & Environment

• Take ownership for safe ways of working

• Promote a proactive culture of safety and continuous improvement

About you   

To succeed, you’ll need strong analytical skills, the ability to communicate clearly, and the creativity to turn insights into innovative, practical packaging solutions.

Minimum requirements:  

Essential

• GCSEs (or equivalent)

• Experience designing packaging

• Strong competence in MS Office

• Confident user of CAD and graphics software

• Understanding of 2D/3D drawings

• Self-motivated, detail-focused and able to drive project momentum

• Able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively

• Demonstrates DS Smith values: Caring, Challenging, Trusted, Responsive & Tenacious

Desirable

• A-levels or degree in a design-related subject

• Knowledge of corrugated automotive packaging & supply cycles

• Experience in manufacturing or warehousing environments

• Strong commercial awareness

Apply now and become part of a team that challenges the ordinary and leads with innovation

Benefits 

• Competitive salary

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays  

• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection 

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Employee Discounts 

• Cycle to work scheme 

Location:  Swadlincote - Mercia Global Automotive Distribution Centre

Working hours: Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 16:00pm

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