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Salary We’re looking for outstanding graduates to join our Regional HR Graduate Programme in September 2024. Our people are the key to our success; therefore, we need excellent people processes, development opportunities and career paths to support their ambitions. Based in the UK, the graduate will be responsible for supporting the people operations across North Europe (including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and the Nordics). The programme will deliver knowledge and experience across the whole colleague lifecycle with opportunities to manage key projects.
Who are DS Smith?
You might not have heard of us before, but you’ll likely have handled our products on a daily basis. We’re the leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. We’ve been around for over eighty years and operate in over thirty countries across the UK, Europe and the United States. From food and beverage packaging in your local supermarket to every Amazon parcel which arrives at your door, DS Smith has created packaging, which is innovative, secure and kinder to our planet.
About the programme
Based in the UK with regular travel, your first placement will be in Talent & Development, including:
Project Management of the key People Pillar projects for the North Europe region. Leading the Inclusivity project to ensure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) is a constant focus, including the roll out of Inclusive Leadership development, managing the DE&I steering group, and capturing and reporting on DE&I activity across the North Europe region. Managing the Recognition agenda for the region, including Smithies nomination and aligning to local initiatives within the sub-regions. Leading the Onboarding project within North Europe region.
In year two, dependent on your experience, interests and business priorities, you’ll be able to go into reward or broaden your experience as a HR generalist. You’ll gain knowledge and skills across the entire colleague lifecycle and work with stakeholders across the business to fulfil our people agenda.
The role will be home based, however there will be regular visits to sites across the UK and Europe, therefore being near an airport will be beneficial.
Development
Alongside your on-the-job training, you’ll go on the DS Smith Graduate Journey where you’ll have a roadmap of development to support your career. When you join us, you’ll be given a full induction to the business, including a tour of some of our paper, packaging, and innovation factories.
In year one, you’ll learn about Self Leadership and Personal Effectiveness, while in year two, you’ll learn about leadership, stakeholder management and influencing. Finally, when the programme ends, you’ll deliver a presentation about your learnings, celebrate your success with a graduation dinner and work with your Talent Lead to find the best permanent home for you.
But don’t worry, you won’t be doing this alone. You’ll have a network of graduates to bounce ideas off, be given a mentor and a former graduate will be there for guidance and support throughout your journey.
About you
To be considered for this role you must have as a minimum:
- A degree – preferably in HR or business (or due to complete this by September 2024).
- Be able to start in the business full time on 2nd September 2024.
- Speak fluent in English (a second European language would be beneficial too).
- Hold the relevant right to work within the UK.
- Be able to travel flexibly as part of the role.
Benefits
So what’s in it for you?
- A starting salary of £30,000.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Company pension.
- Cycle to work programme.
- Employee Assistance Programme which offers up to eight free counselling sessions per year.
- Life insurance.
- Income protection.
- Assessment Centres will be held in March/April 2024.
