DS Smith
Finance Director, UK Packaging
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About DS Smith
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. Operating across multiple sites, we’re committed to redefining packaging for a changing world—delivering innovation, efficiency and long-term value for our customers and communities.
As we continue to strengthen our UK Packaging business, we are seeking an exceptional Finance Director to join our leadership team.
The Role
As Finance Director – UK Packaging, you will act as a strategic partner to the Managing Director, playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering business strategy across a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment.
This is a highly visible leadership role with full accountability for financial performance, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, governance and capital allocation. You will drive sustainable value creation, performance improvement and transformation across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Partner closely with the Managing Director and leadership team to define and deliver the UK strategy
- Act as a trusted adviser and “co-pilot,” providing insight, challenge and guidance at executive level
- Lead and inspire a high-performing finance function within a matrix, multi-site organisation
- Build strong cross-functional relationships across operations, commercial and central teams
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Performance & Insight
- Develop deep understanding of market dynamics, customer economics and operational drivers
- Translate financial and operational data into clear, actionable insights
- Drive robust performance frameworks linking financial outcomes to operational KPIs
- Proactively identify risks, opportunities and performance trends
Value Creation
- Lead pricing strategy and margin optimisation across customers and segments
- Enhance customer and product profitability to support commercial decision-making
- Drive operational performance improvements in cost, productivity and efficiency
- Deliver transformation initiatives focused on cost reduction, cash generation and sustainable growth
Financial Control & Governance
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning processes
- Ensure strong financial controls, compliance and reporting integrity across all sites
- Lead capital investment decisions with a focus on return and strategic alignment
Cash & Capital Management
- Own P&L, balance sheet and cash flow performance
- Drive working capital optimisation and embed a strong cash culture
- Lead capital allocation and enterprise risk management frameworks
Transformation & Operational Excellence
- Lead the finance transformation agenda, including systems, processes and data capabilities
- Drive digitisation, automation and data-led decision-making
- Improve efficiency, standardisation and scalability across the finance function
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People & Culture
- Lead, develop and inspire a geographically dispersed finance organisation
- Build strong finance business partnering capability across the business
- Develop talent pipelines and succession plans for key roles
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
About You
We are looking for a highly credible and commercially astute finance leader who can operate at scale and pace within a complex manufacturing environment.
You Will Bring
- Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally at Finance Director level
- A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent)
- Strong track record in multi-site, operational or manufacturing environments
- Proven ability to drive performance improvement, margin enhancement and cash generation
- Experience leading transformation and change in complex, matrix organisations
- Exceptional leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills
- A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into execution
- Courage, resilience and sound judgement to challenge and drive decisions
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