About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and detail-driven individual to join us as a Despatch Planner at our Birmingham (Smethwick) operational hub. This is a key position within our logistics and supply chain operations during an exciting period of modernisation, following the implementation of our new scanning systems, and a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high-performing site team!
Working closely with the Despatch Team Leader, Production, and Customer Services teams, you will use your planning expertise and problem-solving skills to manage the daily production schedule and UK-wide transport plan. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role where you will take ownership of route optimisation, load utilisation, and vehicle allocation across our supplier and customer delivery networks to drive on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery.
As a confident communicator and natural organiser, you will thrive on liaising between on-site manufacturing teams and external transport partners to ensure smooth inbound and outbound goods flow. You will balance daily operational workloads, proactively manage early-morning volume peaks, and identify continuous improvement opportunities to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce waste, and deliver world-class service to our customers.
So, if you have experience in transport planning or logistics, have the energy and tenacity to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and are eager for a new challenge — then we might be looking for you!
About you
- Background in transport planning, despatch, or logistics, ideally within manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong understanding of vehicle capacities, load planning, and route optimisation
- Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to manage early-morning volume peaks under pressure
- Clear and effective communicator, confident liaising across site teams and external hauliers
- Attention to detail regarding paperwork, system scheduling, and transport compliance
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
Location: This is an on-site role based in our site in Birmingham with the working hours; Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 16:00 & Friday 08:00 – 15:00.
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.
As a Safety‑first employer, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards across our operations. Our approach to safety means going beyond minimum legal requirements and focuses on continuously elevating how we work safely - every day, at every level. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a brief safety questionnaire as part of the selection process. This helps us ensure that everyone who joins our team shares our focus and commitment to design, operate and maintain injury-free workplaces for our employees and everyone who enters our facilities.
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Skills Required
- Background in transport planning, despatch, or logistics
- Experience in manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong understanding of vehicle capacities and load planning
- Strong understanding of route optimisation
- Proven problem-solving skills, including managing early-morning volume peaks under pressure
- Clear and effective communication skills with site teams and external hauliers
- Attention to detail with paperwork, system scheduling, and transport compliance
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
