Sales Graduate Programme 2023

We’re looking for outstanding and dynamic graduates to join our Sales Marketing & Innovation graduate scheme to begin in September 2023. We are a forward-looking company with a desire to remain both innovative and sustainable in an increasingly global market.We are looking for highly motivated, emotionally intelligent, hardworking, articulate communicators like you to help us achieve our growth aspirations.

**Locations**:
For 2023 we're looking for people to join one of our sites across the UK near to one of our DS Smith Packaging locations, although flexibility on location will be required for the programme. We will have one placement in the North of England and one in theSouth.

**About us**:
We are the leading provider of packaging solutions and Europe’s biggest recycler. We have a unique supply cycle strategy with an industry leading approach to sustainability: we want the brightest new ideas to continually improve our design, innovation andentrepreneurship. That’s where you come in; every person at DS Smith plays a part in helping us reduce that carbon footprint.

**About the programme**:
Our scheme runs for two years and will give graduates the foundations to succeed in the sales functions, with placements across the course of the programme. You’ll go on a rigorous development programme to give you the skillsets to succeed in these areas,whilst also developing you into becoming a DS Smith future leader. You’ll be paired up with a mentor and be given first class training from our external partner to develop leadership capabilities and be offered opportunities to put everything you’ve learnedinto practice.

Our Sales professionals help drive profitable growth for our UK business. Within this placement you’ll connect with local and national businesses to develop and grow a portfolio of commercial accounts. You will ensure volume and profit targets are met byestablishing new business, increasing market share and driving commercial excellence. This is a customer facing role and you’ll be working with our Sales, Marketing and Innovation team to maximise customer experience, to ensure DS Smith are the partner ofchoice. You will explore the art of the possible, maximising opportunities for our customers to deliver on their packaging requirements.

Alongside the role-specific skills you’ll develop, you will be part of a large cohort of cross functional graduates from across the business, who you will develop your careers alongside, and can provide a community and support network where you can sharedevelopment experiences.

In year one, we’ll focus on understanding yourself, your skills and your strengths and how to maximise your potential.
In year two, your development will be about understanding others, how to work effectively in teams and how to lead.
From there, you’ll be given the tools to lead the way, whether that’s in becoming a specialist in your chosen field or leading others to succeed.

**About you**

To be considered for this scheme you must have as a minimum:

- An appropriate degree possibly in Business Management, Arts, Finance or similar (or due to achieve this before September 2023).
- Self motivated, enthusiastic, customer centric and driven to achieve targets and KPI’s
- Be fully flexible and geographically mobile.
- *successful applicants will be invited to a virtual assessment centre in March/April 2023.

**applicants who pass the assessments will need to be able to start their first placement on 4th September 2023.