Business Management Degree Apprentice

DS Smith is offering a Business Management Degree Apprenticeship in Featherstone, UK, focusing on financial management, operational strategy, and commercial awareness. The 48-month program includes hands-on experience across various business areas and a partnership with Aston University for a BSc degree. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and be flexible for placements across the country. The starting salary is £26,000 with opportunities for career growth in a sustainable packaging leader.
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 build rounded business knowledge and principles, focusing on key areas such as financial & budgeting, strategic and operational management and commercial awareness, with exposure to other functional business areas.
Over the course of this programme, you’ll gain hands‑on experience managing projects across our manufacturing and commercial operations, helping to improve performance, efficiency, sustainability and customer outcomes.


Throughout the apprenticeship, you will rotate across key business areas including Operations, Supply Chain, Sales and Customer Services, with additional exposure to Finance, HR and Commercial functions. These rotations will allow you to develop a broad business understanding while applying structured management approaches in a real‑world environment.


The degree element is a 48-month structured programme with Aston University, you will work towards your BSc 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 toward 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