DS Smith are seeking an experienced Network Engineer to work jointly between the Shared Services global network team and the Digital and Data (D&D) Hub to provide network engineering services and support for our digital initiatives.

About DS Smith

DS Smith is a leading supplier of recycled packaging, both within the UK market and throughout Europe. A FTSE 100 listed business with a turnover of more than £8 billion. The organisation employs over 30,000 people worldwide & is continuing to grow both organically & through acquisition. We have grown significantly through recent years via acquisitive growth and as a result we have a number of different management and information systems scattered across the estate. We have similar but not identical systems that are doing similar functions in different regions (eg multiple ERP systems) and therefore integration is difficult and they are costly to maintain.

Therefore, as part of our global I&T strategy, DS Smith accelerating the use of Digital, and Data technologies and processes to create value and enable organic growth. A key part of this is creating this “next generation” data infrastructure has been creation of a “Data Factory” for the entire business to use to leverage and exploit our data. The Data Factory includes both the underpinning cloud architecture in which to store our data as well as the necessary tools (eg data extraction tools) and capabilities (eg data analytics) to exploit. For the cloud architecture we have selected AWS as our strategic cloud partner. 

About the Role

The Network engineer will be responsible for designing and managing the implementation of Data and Digital projects using AWS Cloud networking services, on-premises corporate networking services and public internet services. You will work closely with the business, D&D team, and the Cloud Business Office to understand network and security requirements and translate them into scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. Whilst formally sitting within the Shared Service network team, this role will be 100% allocated to the Digital and Data Team and will be “their” network specialist and network engineer. They will effectively be part of the Digital and Data team whilst being formally within Shared Services plus providing a link between the two teams.

The individual will have strong networking, security, ITIL Service Management and supplier management skills coupled with a thorough understanding of AWS (essential) and Azure (desirable) Cloud networking. Key to the role is the ability to work across a diverse organization through communication and engagement with peers, senior managers, and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Be fully responsible within the D&D team for providing our network engineering and network integration capability and services.

Act as the network subject matter expert within the D&D team providing deep technical knowledge for integrating AWS and Azure cloud services and data products.

Designing and engineering network solutions for the D&D hub in line with DS Smith service offerings that align with client needs, considering factors such as availability, scalability, fault tolerance, reliability, security, and cost.

Present and run technical workshops on networking and AWS/Azure Cloud technologies for the D&D teams, IT community and wider business stakeholders.

Create and govern architecture diagrams and technical documentation for the D&D team such as High and Low-level designs.

Define Network Traffic flows and patterns for D&D projects across complex Multivendor Network and Firewall suppliers.

Represent Network Architectures for D&D at Governance boards i.e., Security Reviews, Architecture Review Board, Technical Design Authority

Submit and represent Data and Digital changes at the various Change Management Boards in line with the DS Smith Service Management and ITIL based Processes.

Manage a complicated ecosystem of Third-Party Network suppliers within associated SLAs for LAN, MPLS, SD-Wan and Firewall

Work closely with the D&D, Enterprise and Security Architecture teams to develop road maps, create and manage standards and support in the evolution of the technical and digital portfolios from current to future state.

About You

Strong corporate network skills to include Data Centre, AWS Cloud Services, Enterprise networking, WAN/LAN/WLAN, Routing, Firewall, Certificates, IDS/IPS, WAN optimisation, Proxy, VPN services, Load Balancing

Strong AWS networking and security skills to include VPC, EC2, Firewall, Security Groups, Route 53, Load Balancers, Private Link, Amazon Gateways

AWS Certified – Practitioner, Solution Architect Associate or Professional

Experience in large, multi-national, cross-functional teams influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization.

Display a strong customer focus background understanding the business needs and good business judgement.

Be up to date with the latest technologies and IT trends.

Ability to translate business needs into solution architecture requirements.

Possess strong interpersonal and influencing skills with good stakeholder engagement.

Able to manage delivery of objectives in line with agreed time scales.

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Bachelor degree in computer science, information systems, business administration or related field, or equivalent work experience in IT and business/industry