Learn your way

Not all journeys start when you leave university. Many people continue their education once they’re already in their chosen career and develop the. Our graduate scheme is open to colleagues no matter when you received your degree.

Our two or three-year award-winning graduate programmes will give you real, hands-on experience. As well as the support and tools to develop into specialists of the future as you grow with a career within a world leading organisation. 

As part of the scheme, you’ll be given a mentor and taken on a development pathway filled with structured learning and projects that stretch you along the way. All while being part of a supportive network of fellow graduates. 

Whatever your background, we’re looking for graduates who care, not afraid to challenge, who are responsive, collaborative, tenacious and who are passionate about sustainability.

Award-winning Graduate Scheme 

We won the British HR 2024 Award for Manufacturing & Engineering Company of the Year for transforming our graduate scheme to make it more relevant and appealing to graduates by equipping them with industry knowledge, essential skills, and management behaviours that our business needs now and in the future. 

Boundless opportunities

No matter what degree you have, your interests or your passions – we welcome you to join us, and celebrate the diversity of our teams. We're offering programmes across the following disciplines:

• Sales, Marketing & Innovation
• Engineering
• Operational Management
• Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Recycling
• Paper Sourcing
• Human Resources
• Research & Development
• Finance
• IT
• Corporate Affairs

Your turn to step up

• To be considered for one of our programmes, you’ll already have a Bachelor's degree.
• Some of our programmes will require you to have studied in a certain discipline or speak more than one language (details of minimum requirements will be included in the individual programme description).
• You’ll also need the right to work in the relevant country you’re applying to. 
• Be ready to start your employment with us in September and be fully mobile in terms of location to ensure you get the maximum opportunities offered to you and to get the best out of the scheme and your career at DS Smith. 

With all our programmes, you will receive training and development specific to your role. Along with a broader programme of personal and professional development that runs across all programmes we will give you an opportunity to develop your career.