Head of Market Insight and Foresight

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

About the role

We are currently looking for a Head of Market Insight and Foresight - a pivotal role in shaping and developing the full potential of the data driven insight and foresight agenda across the organisation, with the ambition to build industry-leading insight capability and transform how we anticipate change, segment our markets, understand customer needs, and forecast performance that leads to business and growth opportunities.

You will develop and lead the EMEA market insight and foresight strategy, aligning with business priorities and long-term growth objectives. Working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing and Innovation, Data and IT teams and partnering with trusted external agencies, you will ensure that predictive analytics, scenario planning and customer research are embedded into the way we operate and innovate.

This is a senior, high-visibility role that has an impact on the overall marketing and business strategy and the delivery of all marketing sub-teams, combining strategic thinking, analytical leadership, and customer-centric vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global insight and foresight strategy, identifying key trends, disruptions, opportunities and risks to inform business and innovation strategy
• Build a best-in-class insight function that is central to strategic planning, new product development and commercial prioritisation
• Partner with Digital/ Data/ IT to apply predictive modelling and machine learning techniques to key business questions
• Run periodic cross-functional scenario planning sessions to anticipate market shifts and generate proactive responses
• Support the Strategic Marketing functions in market segmentation initiatives, integrating internal and external data to identify high-potential segments and prospects
• Oversee all customer research programmes within the Sales, Marketing and Innovation function, ensuring strategic alignment, quality and efficiency
• Build strong partnerships with selected research agencies and streamline delivery across projects
• Lead a high-performing Market Insight team, providing guidance, coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

About You

• A Degree in Business, Economics, Data Science, Marketing or related discipline
• Experience in delivering results in both B2B and B2C organisations
• Technical expertise of market research methodologies e.g. qualitative and quantitative research, applied in strategic commercial projects
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in visualisation and data analysis techniques and tools (Excel, Power BI)
• Excellent storytelling, data visualisation, and PowerPoint skills with the ability to create succinct and impactful narratives that drive action
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and translate market insights and trends into business opportunities
• Demonstrable leadership experience in a Market Insight or Strategy function in a global matrix organisation
• Experience in running scenario planning/ foresight workshops cross-functionally with or without agency support
• Curious about new technologies and entrepreneurial mindset

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual bonus and car allowance
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance, Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts
• Cycle to work scheme

Location

London (Paddington), UK, or Brussels, Belgium - hybrid

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.