DS Smith is looking for a talented Automation Developer to join our growing team in Caerphilly. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving digital transformation by building and deploying innovative automation solutions that enhance business efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

You will work across a range of technologies including RPA platforms, Power Automate, Power BI, Python, and emerging low-code tools, collaborating with stakeholders to design and deliver impactful solutions.

Working closely with the Lead Automation Architect, you will ensure solutions align with architectural best practices and are scalable, maintainable, and fit for purpose.

About the role

As an Automation Developer at DS Smith, you will play a key role in delivering scalable automation solutions that improve efficiency and accuracy across the business. Working closely with stakeholders and the Lead Automation Architect, you will design, build, and deploy solutions using RPA and low-code technologies, ensuring alignment with best practice architecture and business needs.

You will be responsible for the full delivery lifecycle, from requirements gathering and technical design through to testing, deployment, and handover to BAU teams. This role also requires a proactive approach to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to optimise processes through automation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop automation solutions using RPA and low-code platforms (e.g. UiPath, Blue Prism, Power Automate)

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and secure sign-off prior to development

• Ensure solutions meet security, performance, and compliance standards

• Produce and maintain SDD and TDD documentation, including process flows and integrations

• Support code reviews, technical design reviews, and best practice standards

• Plan and manage automation projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget

• Assess and recommend the most suitable automation approach (RPA vs low-code)

• Conduct testing, support deployment, and ensure smooth BAU handover

• Provide documentation, training, and knowledge transfer to support teams

• Identify opportunities for process optimisation and continuous improvement

• Provide occasional out-of-hours support for critical issues or upgrades

About you

• Proven experience developing automation solutions using RPA tools and/or Power Platform technologies

• Strong understanding of automation frameworks, system integration, and APIs

• Experience with Python or other scripting languages

• Excellent documentation skills (SDD, TDD, process mapping)

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities

Benefits

• A competitive salary and discretionary bonus

• Study support and career development pathways

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays, plus banked hours

• Hybrid working: 3 days in the office, 2 from home

• Pension scheme, life assurance, income protection

• Employee assistance programme and digital GP access

• Cycle to work scheme and discounts on shopping, travel and more

Location: Caerphilly – we operate on a hybrid basis, with 3 days in the office and 2 at home.

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.