Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

DS Smith | Packaging Manufacturing | Location: Featherstone (West Yorkshire)

Kickstart your career with a global leader in sustainable packaging

DS Smith is a world-leading provider of fibre-based, sustainable packaging solutions, supported by our integrated recycling and papermaking operations. Through our purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World, we are driving the transition to a more circular, low-carbon economy. Our solutions help major brands reduce carbon, replace problem plastics and keep materials in use for longer, supported by our innovative design capabilities and our unique "box-to-box in 14 days" model.

About the Role

We are excited to offer a Business Management Degree Apprenticeship pathway that allows you to apply structured management practices to develop your business knowledge and principles.

Over the course of this programme, you'll gain hands-on experience working in projects across many of our different operations, helping to improve performance, efficiency, sustainability and delivering great customer outcomes with a safety-first mindset.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will rotate across key business areas including Operations, Supply Chain, Sales and Customer Services, together with key support functions.

You will be on a 48-month structured programme with Aston University, working towards BSc Project Management and a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership.

By the end of the apprenticeship, you'll have developed the skills, insight and confidence to make a real impact and progress towards becoming a future leader at DS Smith.

Development

A structured training plan that aligns workplace experience with your degree learning
A comprehensive induction, including visits to our paper, packaging and innovation sites
Ongoing support from a dedicated mentor and line manager
Regular development reviews to track progress and support future career planning

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants should have a minimum of three A Levels at CCC or above, or equivalent BTECs.
You must have achieved a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Mathematics and English
To undertake the Project Management Level 6 Apprenticeship, you must have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for the last 3 consecutive years as it is a government funded apprenticeship programme

What's in it for you?

Starting salary of £26,000, with structured increases as you progress through the programme
Fully funded degree - no tuition fees or student debt
The opportunity to build a long-term career with a global, sustainability-led organisation

Benefits

Company pension
Life insurance
Income protection
Cycle to work scheme

About you

Be able to start in the business full time on 7th September 2026
Hold the relevant right to work within the UK.

Be fully flexible and geographically mobile as there will be placements across the country

DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED

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