Location: UK or Belgium
About the role
We are currently looking for a Head of Data Packaging and Business Partner to the Strategic Innovation Leadership Team. In this role you will develop the Data roadmap for the Packaging Division based on the visions articulated within the corporate plan and incorporating all functional and regional priorities. You will ensure the priorities are clearly agreed with Leadership teams tracking monitoring and reporting on the progress of roadmap delivery and value realisation.
Managing directly the Master Data and Data Governance functions you will ensure the development and deployment of data models and tools to deliver the KPIs needed to drive the SMI business performance.
You will also support the D&I community in the commercialisation pricing development profitability assessments business case development and performance tracking of Divisional Scalable Innovations and New Service offers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Define the roadmap in an exact concrete and concise way identifying outputs and outcomes to be delivered by each of the projects and areas within the business. Maintain and keep the roadmap and timeline up to date and report on progress to key sponsors (functional and regional leaders)
Drive the Master Data agenda for the division acting as the champion for all functions in terms of ensuring master data requirements are understood and taken into account in all key projects
Continue the development of a division wide Data Governance function including recommendations on the overall Governance structure and clarification on roles and responsibilities
Work with colleagues from I&T to ensure data governance is recognised as a key pre-requisite for all data projects
Ensure the data requirements of all significant programmes are understood and costed in the programmes business case. Where possible separate benefits for data standardisation should be identified and measured to ensure no single project bears the full cost of mastering a data domain
Provide leadership to the project teams in monitoring data requirements and ensure that the project data outputs meet programme goals
Develop P&L models and relevant balance sheet data to support business case development for new service offer proposals
Develop and support pricing strategies for all divisional driven non-standard product offerings ensuring value is maximised
Act as Commercial Finance Business partner for the D&I teams supporting on the tracking of initiatives and projects e.g. Eco Bowl and other divisional scalable innovations
Work in partnership with SMI leadership to develop and deploy the KPIs for the function
Responsible for the delivery of the information needed for the SMI section of the Divisional and Sub-Regional MBR.
About You
Masters degree or equivalent work experience preferably with business and technical background
Good knowledge of techniques for planning monitoring and controlling programmes
Excellent knowledge of project management approaches such as PRINCE 2
Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) with proven ability to deal with stakeholders on senior management level
Strategic and commercial acumen and strong leadership and management skills
Financial budget management MS Office MS Visio MS Project MS Teams PowerBI proficient
Ability to find innovative ways of solving or pre-empting problems.
APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE: 6TH FEBRUARY 2026
Required Experience:
Director
DS Smith is an international packaging company, offering sustainable, plastic-free packaging, integrated recycling services, and sustainable paper products.