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Job Title


Finance Apprentice


Company : DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED


Location : Cheltenham, England


Created : 2026-04-25


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Kick - start 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. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and ambitious individual to join our Packaging Manufacturing site in Louth as a Finance Apprentice The Job As a Finance Apprentice you will provide financial administration support to the Louth site business, working closely with the Site Operations Finance Manager, site teams and the Shared Service Centre. Provide support for ad hoc site queries and analysis on key business performance metrics Working with departments to monitor costs throughout the month. Using SAP and other systems to generate credit notes, supplementary sales invoices as required . Requesting additions and amendments to customer, supplier and material master records via the SSC. Maintenance of the site time and attendance system and processing of payroll information to enable overtime to be paid and reported on. Supporting the Operations Finance team at month end to ensure SSC transactional processing is accurate and complete . The Apprenticeship This 18-month Level 3 Accounts Assistant A pprenticeship programme is designed to develop the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours in accounting principles, systems, and tools, building the foundations for a successful career within an Accountancy and Finance function. You will learn: Financial Accounting - Preparing financial Statements Management Accounting Techniques Tax Processes for Business Business Awareness Development Alongside your on-the-job training, you will be supported, through a structured training plan that aligns with the apprenticeship. 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. Additionally, you will have access to a dedicated mentor from the business, that will guide you through your career choices and support you through your journey. What are the entry requirements? You must have achieved GCSEs in Mathematics and English with Grade C and above/4-9 or have an achieved Level 2 Functional skills in both English and Mathematics What's in it for you? A starting salary of 19,000 . As an Apprentice your salary will be consistent with you progressing through the programme. Location: Louth Benefits Company pension Life insurance Income protection Cycle to work scheme About you Be able to start in the business full time on 3 rd September 2026 Hold the relevant right to work within the UK. About us We're DS Smith, we believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we're building the team to drive change across Europe and North America To fulfil our purpose 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. #LI-CE TPBN1_UKTJ