Role typically operates within a division or region.
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!
About the role
We are currently looking for a Strategic Marketing Manager EMEA, who will deliver growth through strategic planning, ABM planning, customer insights, and a strategic innovations pipeline, while ensuring marketing efforts are customer-centric and commercially impactful. This role supports the Annual Business Planning (ABP) process across two subregions and drives strategic category planning in collaboration with local teams. You will develop compelling value propositions with lead markets or customers and monitoring segment performance across EMEA. Additionally, you will co-lead research initiatives with the insights and foresights team, support sales enablement through category insights and customer presentations, and contribute to innovation planning by owning the desirability lens and guiding product development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead ABP and category planning, ensure ABM planning is fully embedded in strategic marketing, with clearly defined objectives, precise targeting, and measurable growth KPIs
Define and deliver segment-specific marketing strategies aligned with commercial growth objectives, developing compelling value propositions with lead markets/customers and translating them into actionable ABM plans, with a strong focus on Most Wanted opportunities and tender management excellence to drive commercial impact and customer relevance
Strengthen our value proposition differentiation by identifying key points of difference versus competitors through competitor analysis, ensuring strategies and propositions are distinctive and impactful
Monitor segment performance and optimise plans based on insights and KPIs. Co-lead research initiatives with the Insights & Foresights team to inform strategic decisions
Provide relevant category insights to unlock customer opportunities and accelerate pipeline conversion. Support Account Managers with opportunity identification and ensure marketing deliverables (e.g., insights presentations, VP translation into sell-ins) are tailored to support growth targets and ABM activation
Support Marketing Communications in development of perfect offer, ensuring marketing campaigns reflect strategic growth priorities and customer needs
Lead the Exploration phase of the Innovation process, own the desirability lens through to product development, and define prioritisation and customisation by being the voice of the customer.
About You
A Degree or professional qualification in Business administration, Sales, Marketing, or other relevant field of study
Demonstrated expertise in marketing planning, value proposition development, customer insight, and sales enablement from previous marketing roles (ideally within E-commerce, Automotive, or other industrial environment).
Proven success in partnering with senior stakeholders across complex organisations, negotiating and influencing effectively to achieve business goals
Deep understanding of customer-centricity, with a track record of delivering tangible business impact.
Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
Commercial acumen with proven ability to grasp, analyse and initiate actions based on strong financial insights and understanding.
Strategic mind set, result-oriented, accountable, energetic.
Benefits:
Competitive salary
Discretionary bonus
Car allowance
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Private Medical Insurance
Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
Employee Assistance Programme
Employee Discounts
Cycle to work scheme
Location: UK/ London (Paddington) – hybrid
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.
#LI-TG
Skills Required
- Degree or professional qualification in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or related field
- Proven expertise in marketing planning, category management, and ABM planning
- Experience developing value propositions, customer insight work, and sales enablement materials
- Experience within E-commerce, Automotive, or other industrial environment
- Proven success partnering with senior stakeholders, negotiating and influencing effectively
- Strong commercial acumen with ability to analyse financials and drive actions from insights
- Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills
- Strategic mindset, results-oriented, accountable, and energetic
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
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