DS Smith
Business Development Manager UK&I
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Business Development Manager UK&I
Business Development Manager – UK Central Packaging Division (Home-Based with Frequent Travel)
About the Role
The DS Smith Sales team combines dynamic professionals who deliver Sales strategy, performance, and customer-centric solutions. They drive our mission to showcase sustainable and innovative packaging—connecting with Global Brands, Business Development contacts, and FMCG industries.
We are seeking a proactive, ambitious, and customer-focused individual to join as a Business Development Manager for the UK Central Packaging Division, a key role aligned with our growth strategy. You’ll work across UK and European packaging teams while collaborating with Sales Managers, using autonomy and input to transform the role.
This is a true Business Development position—admin support will assist in nominal account management tasks, ensuring you can focus on networking, opportunity creation, and driving new business across Drinks, Snacks, and wider FMCG markets.
Ideal candidates thrive in fast-paced environments, possess new business development expertise, and love presenting, negotiating, and building strong client relationships. If you enjoy travel, customer engagement, and targets with sustainability at the heart of the business, this might be your next big challenge!
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate across UK and European packaging teams and liaise with Sales Managers to drive growth.
- Focus on new business development, building working relationships with existing and potential customers.
- Contribute to pipeline management and sales reporting to support strategic planning.
- Present dynamic, professional proposals to both new and existing clients.
- Work independently in a remote/hybrid environment with frequent travel across the UK.
- Advocate for DS Smith’s sustainable solutions to customers.
- Drive sales performance and contribute to target attainment.
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Requirements & Qualities
- Proven success in Business Development, preferably within FMCG or packaging sectors (Backgrounds in other industry sectors are welcome).
- FMCG and packaging industry knowledge is desirable, though transferable skills may be considered.
- A full, valid driving licence is essential to support travel.
- Self-driven and experienced working independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and business acumen.
- Ability to convert pipeline activity into revenue and drive towards sales targets.
- Experience with pipeline management and sales reporting.
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with clients and stakeholders.
- Proficient in dynamic presentation and professional communication.
Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Car allowance for travel-based duties.
- Sales bonus scheme to reward performance.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme with life assurance and income protection.
- Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support.
- Employee discounts and exclusive benefits.
- Cycle-to-work scheme for active commuting.
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Location
- Full-time home-based role with frequent national travel to meet customers and ensure face-to-face connection. (At times, NRG, UK sites and International Paper offices may also feature in candidate experience.)
About DS Smith
We’re redefining packaging for a changing world. As a leader in sustainable solutions, DS Smith collaborates with International Paper to drive transformation in packaging, sustainability, and supply chain innovation.
- Operates in over 30 countries, employing 60,000+ people across Europe, North America, and EMEA.
- Specialises in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, and sustainability to deliver value-added future-proof solutions.
- A diverse, inclusive culture where employees thrive in collaborative environments.
- Sustainability-first approach embedded in all strategies—money talks, but impact defines us.
"Together, we make the world safer and more productive—one sustainable packaging solution at a time!"
Equality & Accessibility
We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of background or experience. Ideal qualifications? Involved, but we celebrate potential and passion. Beecome part of an organisation driven by inclusion, engagement, and bold action for a greener future.
Next Steps
We’re eager to hear from those who are passionate about sales, growth-focused development, and sustainability. Apply now and join a company that resists the status quo—and turns everyday challenges into groundbreaking opportunities.
#LI-RHM #DSMISC
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