Cluster Design & Innovation Manager

DS Smith•Hinckley, MN

24d•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a driven leader passionate about packaging innovation and design excellence? DS Smith is looking for a high-performing individual to head up our Design & Innovation function across the cluster, managing a creative team and playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our packaging solutions. As our Cluster Design & Innovation Manager, you will: Lead the design and innovation strategy within the cluster, ensuring alignment with our wider Division and Country objectives. Manage the PackRight Centre and a talented team of packaging designers, fostering innovation and ensuring high-quality, efficient solutions. Drive consistency in design tools, services, KPIs, and reporting, and promote a unified approach to innovation delivery. Champion technical innovation and creative design that delivers real value to customers and supports business growth. Collaborate closely with sales, manufacturing, and customer teams to ensure we’re always innovating to meet market needs.

Requirements

Strong people leadership and coaching abilities
Experience managing innovation/design teams in a manufacturing or packaging environment
Change management skills – able to challenge, improve, and drive transformation
Commercial acumen with a creative edge – understands how design impacts value
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Highly organised, strategic thinker with a hands-on approach
A curious mindset – someone who asks “why” and digs deep for the best solutions
Willingness to travel up to 50% of working hours across sites
Fluent English required (additional European language desirable

Nice To Haves

additional European language

Responsibilities

Deliver on agreed KPIs and lead innovation development projects that create value and enhance retailer engagement.
Understand and anticipate customer needs and market trends across the cluster, translating these insights into practical design solutions.
Develop and maintain deep knowledge of the cluster’s manufacturing capabilities, using this to influence packaging design and strategy.
Ensure all packaging designs meet regulatory standards, developing a local centre of excellence for testing and specification.
Lead, coach, and grow a high-performing D&I team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.