DS Smith

Cluster Design and Innovation Manager

DS Smith  •  Budapest, HU (Onsite)  •  4 hours ago
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Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Cluster Design & Innovation Manager to lead design, innovation, and creative packaging development across our Hungarian cluster. This role is critical in driving customer-centric innovation, strengthening market competitiveness, and supporting profitable growth through outstanding design and technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and implement the Design & Innovation (D&I) strategy across the cluster, ensuring alignment with divisional goals
  • Manage and develop the Pack Right Centre and design teams, driving excellence in creative, technical, and manufacturing design
  • Deliver innovative packaging solutions that meet customer needs and market trends
  • Lead customer workshops and collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to create impactful design solutions
  • Oversee the full lifecycle of packaging development, including concept creation, prototyping, and implementation
  • Optimize existing products to improve efficiency, quality, and cost performance
  • Ensure designs are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and cluster standards
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across sites and regions
  • Manage the cluster D&I budget and ensure efficient resource allocation
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing design and innovation team

Customer & Market Focus

  • Build a deep understanding of customer requirements, market trends, and retail expectations
  • Strengthen customer relationships through innovation workshops and joint development projects
  • Identify opportunities to create value through packaging innovation and design excellence

Your Profile

  • Degree in design, packaging technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
  • Proven experience in managing design teams in a manufacturing environment
  • Strong knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and testing processes
  • Experience in customer-facing innovation and workshop facilitation
  • Strategic mindset with strong commercial awareness
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a matrix and cross-functional environment
  • Proficiency with design tools (e.g. ArtiosCAD, 3D design software) and Microsoft Office
  • Fluent English and native-level Hungarian (both written and spoken)

What We Offer

  • A strategic leadership role with high business impact
  • Opportunity to shape innovation and design capabilities at cluster level
  • International environment with strong collaboration across regions
  • Home-office opportunity

If you are passionate about innovation, customer value creation, and leading creative teams, we look forward to your application.

#LI-DM

DS Smith

About DS Smith

DS Smith provides innovative packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services with a commitment to sustainability and a circular economy.

Our core purpose is to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World, and our expert teams work closely with like-minded partners to incorporate renewable resources for products that minimize our environmental impact, reduce complexity and increase profitability through supply chain optimization.

Industry
Manufacturing & Production
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
LONDON, GB
Year Founded
Unknown
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