DS Smith
Category Manager (E-commerce & Industrial)
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Strategic Marketing Manager (EMEA)
About DS Smith and the Role
We are DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions—together with International Paper. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible by driving innovation and partnering with customers to create a safer, more productive world.
Operating in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), DS Smith employs over 65,000 colleagues in fields spanning innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, and supply chain.
We are seeking a Strategic Marketing Manager to own the full category management process, identifying key segments, driving innovation through insight, and supporting Marketing teams in targeting opportunities across our global platform.
About the Role
The Strategic Marketing Manager (EMEA) will deliver commercial growth through strategic planning, Account-Based Marketing (ABM), customer insights, and innovation—ensuring all marketing efforts remain customer-centric and commercially impactful.
You will:
- Support Annual Business Planning (ABP) across two subregions.
- Drive strategic category planning in collaboration with local teams.
- Develop compelling value propositions for lead markets/customers.
- Monitor and analyse segment performance across EMEA.
- Co-lead research initiatives with the Insights & Foresights team.
- Support sales enablement through category insights and customer presentations.
- Contribute to innovation planning, owning the desirability lens and guiding product development.
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Key Responsibilities
- Lead ABP and category planning, ensuring ABM planning is embedded within strategic marketing, with clear objectives, precise targeting, and measurable growth KPIs.
- Define and execute segment-specific marketing strategies aligned with growth objectives, creating actionable ABM plans tailored to Most Wanted opportunities and tender management.
- Strengthen value proposition differentiation via competitor analysis, ensuring strategies remain distinctive and high-impact.
- Monitor segment performance and optimise plans based on insights and KPIs.
- Co-lead research initiatives, providing actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
- Deliver category insights to unlock customer opportunities and accelerate pipeline conversion.
- Support Account Managers in opportunity identification and ensure marketing deliverables (e.g., sell-in materials, insights presentations) drive growth and ABM success.
- Lead the Exploration phase of the Innovation process, owning the desirability lens and guiding product development—ensuring solutions meet customer needs.
About You
To excel in this role, you will have:
- A Degree or professional qualification in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in:
- Marketing planning
- Value proposition development
- Customer insights
- Sales enablement (preferably in E-commerce, Automotive, or industrial sectors).
- Proven ability to:
- Partner with senior stakeholders in complex organisations.
- Negotiate and influence effectually to achieve business goals.
- A deeply customer-centric mindset, with a track record of measurable business impact.
- Strong communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
- Financial and commercial acumen—ability to analyse data and drive actionable decisions.
- A strategic, results-driven, and proactive approach.
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Benefits
We are committed to your growth and well-being, offering:
- Competitive salary
- Discretionary bonus
- Car allowance
- 25 days of annual leave + bank holidays
- Private Medical Insurance
- Pension scheme + Life Assurance/Income Protection
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discounts
- Cycle-to-work scheme
Location:
UK (London – Paddington), hybrid
Why Join DS Smith?
As part of a world-leading organisation, you’ll:
- Contribute to sustainability-driven solutions that improve global supply chains.
- Join a diverse, inclusive culture that values creativity and innovation.
- Work alongside experts in packaging, sustainability, and technology.
- Benefit from career growth opportunities in a dynamic, evolving industry.
Now more than ever, we’re combining strengths with International Paper. Your candidate experience may include interactions with our DS Smith or International Paper colleagues.
DS Smith welcomes diverse candidates—we believe different perspectives drive better innovation. #LI-TG
Want to shape the future of sustainable packaging? Apply today.
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