DS Smith
DS Smith
DS Smith develops sustainable packaging, paper products, and recycling services for industries including food and beverage, logistics, consumer goods, industrial applications, and retail. Its work combines packaging design, recyclable materials, advanced packaging systems, and end-to-end retail services, with a focus on supporting circular-economy models and reducing plastic waste. Operating internationally, DS Smith also pursues environmental sustainability and community engagement through strategic initiatives and partnerships.

Creative Director, Global Retail Marketing | DS Smith | Remote UK

Lead global point-of-sale, retail activation and shopper marketing strategy for TMS Global, DS Smith’s packaging services business. Build creative capabilities, develop multidisciplinary teams and introduce AI-enabled ways of working.

Description

  • Set the creative direction and quality standards for global point-of-sale and retail marketing programmes.
  • Turn consumer behaviour, category trends and retail insight into focused creative strategies with measurable results.
  • Interrogate briefs to reveal audience needs and opportunities to improve conversion.
  • Promote design excellence, innovation and ongoing improvement throughout the creative function.
  • Oversee creative work across point-of-sale, retail activation, merchandising and branded environments.
  • Balance customer engagement, brand priorities, sustainability, manufacturability and commercial outcomes.
  • Serve as a trusted strategic adviser to global brand, marketing and senior client stakeholders.
  • Present and support creative recommendations through persuasive storytelling and clear strategic reasoning.
  • Recruit, mentor and motivate high-performing multidisciplinary creative teams.
  • Set the long-term direction, capability plan and operating model for the Central Design Studio.
  • Accelerate the use of AI, automation and emerging creative technologies.
  • Create performance measures covering delivery quality, talent growth, utilisation and client satisfaction.
  • Support pitch development while communicating the company’s value proposition and wider strategy.

Requirements

  • Extensive senior creative leadership experience in retail marketing, retail design, brand activation or point-of-sale environments.
  • Advanced knowledge of consumer strategy, shopper behaviour, path-to-purchase and retail environments.
  • Experience creating point-of-sale and retail activation solutions for major FMCG or consumer brands across global or multi-market programmes.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, creative leadership and high design standards.
  • A record of successfully leading and developing multidisciplinary creative teams.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to influence and challenge senior client stakeholders.
  • Commercial understanding of retail production, implementation and activation.
  • Knowledge of sustainability, emerging retail technologies and AI-supported creative development.
  • Experience collaborating across multicultural teams and international markets.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence the future of global retail marketing and design.
  • A diverse, motivated and engaged workforce.
  • An inclusive culture that values differences, promotes fairness and gives everyone an equal opportunity to succeed.

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