About the Role
DS Smith is looking for an experienced and motivated Logistics Lead to join our UK Logistics team. This is a highly visible role, working across our Packaging division to support the delivery of our UK Logistics Strategy through process standardisation, operational excellence, supplier performance management and continuous improvement.
Working closely with site teams, external logistics partners and key stakeholders, you will drive consistency, safety, service and efficiency across our UK network. In your first few months, you will build relationships across the business, visit UK sites, gain an in-depth understanding of our logistics operations and distribution network, and identify opportunities to enhance performance, improve ways of working and deliver lasting value.
What You'll Be Doing
As Logistics Lead, you will:
- Support the delivery of the UK Logistics Strategy across DS Smith's UK operations.
- Drive the review, development and standardisation of logistics processes and procedures.
- Implement consistent transport planning, transport order management and operational best practices.
- Develop and maintain Transport and Warehousing Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Partner with site teams and stakeholders to embed new ways of working and support change initiatives.
- Promote a strong safety culture by working closely with site teams and logistics providers.
- Ensure robust logistics safety processes and procedures are consistently applied across UK sites.
- Manage relationships with external logistics partners, monitoring performance against key KPIs such as OTIF, load optimisation and service levels.
- Identify and deliver continuous improvement opportunities across transport and warehousing operations.
- Collaborate with logistics, procurement and supplier partners to optimise network performance, service and efficiency.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Previous experience in a logistics, transport, warehousing or broader supply chain role.
- Strong understanding of logistics operations, transport planning, inventory management and supply chain processes.
- Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and drive positive change across multiple locations.
- Strong relationship-building skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience managing supplier performance and operational KPIs.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to DS Smith sites across the UK.
Desirable
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Experience with Process Mapping and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge of transport management systems and logistics performance reporting.
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: Remote flexible UK Location / Hybrid working
Hours: Monday – Friday – 09:00 - 1700
Contract: Perm
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.
#LI-CE
Skills Required
- Previous experience in logistics, transport, warehousing, or a broader supply chain role
- Strong understanding of logistics operations, transport planning, inventory management, and supply chain processes
- Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and drive change across multiple locations
- Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience managing supplier performance and operational KPIs
- Proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to DS Smith sites across the UK
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
- Experience with process mapping and continuous improvement methodologies
- Knowledge of transport management systems and logistics performance reporting
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
