DS Smith
Account Director (Retail Marketing)

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Account Director (Retail Marketing)
About The Role
The DS Smith customer service team are a dynamic and vibrant mix of professionals who focus on delivering the sales strategy, goals and performance whilst working to delight our customers by showcasing our sustainable and innovative packaging solutions - The client service team are the face of our business and our biggest ambassadors!
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced sales professional to join the Retail Marketing Division, part of the Speciality Cluster, as an Account Director. In this key role, you will be focused on nurturing customer relationships, driving organic sales growth, and supporting margin targets through a value-added, consultative approach.
Reporting directly into the Client Director, you will hold a pivotal position within the team, acting as a bridge between high-level strategy and daily execution. You will be instrumental in building strong internal partnerships across the Operations and Sales teams, using your commercial acumen to lead your team of Account Managers with drive and passion.
The successful candidate will be expected to manage and reinforce the strength of their direct reports, supporting individual development to ensure we provide a "best-in-class" service to our customers. As a key point of contact for our accounts, you will lead client meetings and support negotiations to ensure we are consistently delivering against our Sales KPIs and growth targets.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
So, if you have experience in people management, a proven track record in Retail Marketing, and are eager for a new challenge in a fast-paced environment – then we might be looking for you!
About You
Strong experience in Sales & Marketing and ability to manage complex contract renewals and retentions Excellent communication skills and ability to present confidently to senior management Ability to collaborate and develop strong relationships with internal and external partners Proven ability to manage, support and develop junior team members Ability to grasp, analyse and initiate actions based on financial insights and understanding Drive, determination and resilience with energy, enthusiasm and a can-do attitude and behaviours
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 a full-time, hybrid role with frequent travel to our customers and our site in Ely, Cambridge.
About Us


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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!
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.
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