Recycling Operational Excellence Graduate Programme

Job Description

We’re looking for outstanding graduates to join our Recycling Operational Excellence Graduate Programme beginning in September 2024. We’re Europe’s largest cardboard and paper recycler and we’re helping organisations of all sizes waste less and recycle more.Within this programme, you’ll be at the heart of our sustainability agenda as it’s here that you’ll support all operational activity in countries where our recycling business operates. You’ll benefit from working on projects and initiatives, be involved inour continuous improvement activities, and supporting regional teams across Europe in embedding the DS Smith Way.Who are DS SmithYou might not have heard of us before, but you’ll likely have handled our products on a daily basis. We’re the leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. We’ve been around for over eighty years and operatein over thirty countries across the UK, Europe and the United States. From food and beverage packaging in your local supermarket to every Amazon parcel which arrives at your door, DS Smith has created packaging, which is innovative, secure and kinder to ourplanet.About the programmeYou’ll be reporting into the Head of Operational Excellence where you will be working on a number of projects and initiatives relating to the DS Smith Way of working, helping regional teams across Europe embed this into their depots. You’ll be given theopportunity to travel across Europe to visit our sites, supporting the teams on operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives. You’ll be given opportunities to own and manage your own projects, build relationships with key stakeholders acrossthe business and support our mission in sustainability.The operational excellence team sits centrally, supporting all countries within recycling. The role is predominantly project based with the graduate supporting continuous improvement, lean, cost saving and efficiency initiatives across the business. You’llbe supporting strategic projects for the division which will include a focus on logistics process improvements and projects supporting our growth objectives, including development of new operational facilities.The role can be based anywhere in the UK, but you’ll need to be able to travel flexibly across the UK and Europe regularly.DevelopmentAlongside your on-the-job training, you’ll go on the DS Smith Graduate Journey where you’ll have a roadmap of development to support your career. When you join us, you’ll be given a full induction to the business, including a tour of some of our paper, packaging,and innovation factories.In year one, you’ll learn about Self Leadership and Personal Effectiveness, while in year two, you’ll learn about leadership, stakeholder management and influencing. Finally, when the programme ends, you’ll deliver a presentation about your learnings, celebrateyour success with a graduation dinner and work with your Talent Lead to find the best permanent home for you.But don’t worry, you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll have a network of graduates to bounce ideas off, be given a mentor and a former graduate will be there for guidance and support throughout your journey.About youTo be considered for this role you must have as a minimum:

• A degree in business, management, logistics or supply chain disciplines (or due to complete this before September 2024.
• Speak fluently in English (minimum B2 level). A second European language would be beneficial too.
• Have the right to work in the UK.
• Be able to travel across the UK and Europe.
• Able to start in the business on 2nd September 2024.

BenefitsSo what’s in it for you

• A starting salary of £30,000.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Company pension.
• Life insurance.
• Income Protection.
• Employee Assistance Programme (where you can get up to 8x free counselling sessions per anum).
• Cycle to work scheme.

*Assessment Centres will be held virtually on the 28th March 2024.