WestRock Company · 3 months ago
Fiber Supply Intern - Summer 2026
Atlanta, GA
Internship
Onsite
Intern
Start in 2026 SummerWestRock Company is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, seeking to hire interns for their Fiber Supply team. The internship provides an opportunity to learn about fiber procurement operations and associated supply chains, with projects culminating in presentations to senior leadership.
CommercialManufacturingPackaging ServicesPaper ManufacturingSustainability
Responsibilities
Summer Intern Project: Each intern is assigned a project to develop and execute during the intern period. The project will allow the student the opportunity to learn and gain exposure to Smurfit Westrock’s virgin fiber procurement operations. The project will be complete, and findings are summarized through the final project presentation that is then presented to senior leadership at the conclusion of the internship period
The internship is an opportunity to learn and apply current knowledge through exposure to all facets of the fiber procurement operations and associated supply chains including:
Timber/tract evaluations – timber cruising, soil evaluation, topography impacts, product quality GIS analysis, GPS data collection, and pricing
Markets – internal and external competition and market impacts to logging capacity and fiber pricings
Fiber purchasing techniques and types – direct stumpage (pay as cut/lump sums), open market, residuals, biomass
Fiber handling – Mill woodyards, chip mills, Wet Storage facilities, harvesting operations
Sustainability – Fiber certification requirements, Best Management Practices, ATFS certification process
Learn and display through actions the company values, behaviors, and the culture of safety and environmental compliance
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders including peers, the fiber procurement team, management, landowners, and suppliers in verbal and written form related to relevant operations, strategies, and status of execution
Fiber grade and grade quality evaluations – learning different fiber grades/specifications and quality ratings by grade, visiting supply points to evaluate their product
Understanding relationships of internal and external competition and the impacts to the market based on consumption capacity and fiber pricings
Learn difference between retail, grocery, pre/post-consumer generation and short term versus long term relationships
Understanding importance delivery timing, loading/unloading procedures, and storage capabilities
Fiber certification requirements, Best Management Practices, FSC certification, and chain of custody
Recycle Plant Operations – learn strategic approach to controlling cost within budgetary limits to achieve profitability while maintaining routine preventative maintenance to ensure maximum productivity
Understanding of quality control measures and systems to ensure compliance with customer specifications
Gain knowledge of fiber acquisition and sales of recycle fiber from new customers and management of existing customer relations
Understanding importance of delivery timing, loading/unloading procedures, and storage capabilities
Learn and display through actions the Smurfit Westrock values, behaviors and the culture of safety and environmental compliance
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders including peers, the plant operations and procurement team, management, and suppliers in verbal and written form related to relevant operations, strategies, and status of execution
Qualification
Required
Student must be currently enrolled and pursuing a degree in one of the following: Forestry, Forest Resources, Fiber Supply, Wood and Paper Science or other closely related field
Eagerness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment, Energetic, self-starting
Ability to communicate in an effective manner (verbal and written skills)
Display integrity and work ethics through applying current level of knowledge to assist with the summer intern project and provide support to the procurement staff as needed
Student must have strong technical and analytical skills, including a basic working knowledge of GIS & GPS
Research ability, problem solving skills, attention to detail and critical thinking abilities demonstrated through a competitive academic record and the interview
Basic understanding and working knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office Suite
Clean MVR record and personal automobile insurance liabilities that are within Smurfit Westrock guidelines
Alignment with Smurfit Westrock Values
Benefits
Competitive hourly rate and assistance where needed in lodging for the local area.
Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence
Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
A potential career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.
Company
WestRock Company
Smurfit Westrock is the global leader of paper-based packaging solutions.
Founded in 1953
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
WestRock Company has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (14)
2023 (25)
2022 (8)
2021 (24)
2020 (21)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
unknown2023-09-12Acquired
2015-07-02IPO
Leadership Team
S
Samuel Shoemaker
President, Consumer Packaging
Recent News
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase