Finance Director Packaging

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 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

We are looking for a highly credible and commercially astute finance leader who can operate at scale and pace within a complex manufacturing environment.

• 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