Title:  Co-op Student, Supply Chain Sustainability

If you are a GPI employee, please click the Employee Login before applying.

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. 

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

POSITION BACKGROUND:

Graphic Packaging International is the leading fiber-based consumer packaging manufacturer in North America.  The company produces products across all paperboard substrates, including virgin and recycled variants.  The virgin fibers that are used to produce cups and other food service packaging can be recycled up to 7 times when properly collected and processed.  Graphic Packaging has highly capable recycling assets in Kalamazoo and is in the process of constructing another state-of-the-art recycled paperboard manufacturing facility in Waco, TX.  While the objective is to recover as much of this valuable fiber as possible, the primary historical barriers have been supply chain-related.  For one, the volume of cups/material collected at QSRs is not significant enough to enable a financially viable collection system on its own.  However, leveraging GPI’s unique technology, these items can be combined with large volume corrugate collections and returned to GPI paperboard manufacturing facilities in a way that creates the most value for this high-quality fiber.  Further, GPI continues to collaborate with industry groups like the Foodservice Products Institute (FPI) to increase acceptance and sorting for paper cups at materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to address take out consumption which is disposed in home curbside recycling bins. 

The global supply chain sustainability co-op student for Graphic Packaging International, a $9B fiber-based consumer packaging leader, will be a central member of a team focused on expanding existing cup recycling project. This critical business role is responsible for developing solutions which address long-standing logistical supply chain issues for cups and other fiber-based food service packaging items for both in-store and take out consumption.  On the front end, the student will investigate options for expanding collection and retrieval at public venues near Kalamazoo (e.g. WMU campus, stadium or large gathering venues within 125 miles). This work could expand to Waco, TX when our new paperboard manufacturing facility starts operating. The student also will collaborate with GPI supply chain/manufacturing facility resources and key quick serve restaurant (QSR) partners to establish in-store collection systems and logistics for returning items to the Kalamazoo facility for recycling. With the resources at hand, it is very reasonable to assume that this co-op role can be a critical part of establishing the world’s largest and most sustainable cup collection and recycling system.  Beyond the paper cup recycling initiative, the student will also investigate circular alternative uses for facility residuals and waste, systemically reducing landfill volumes for the Kalamazoo paperboard manufacturing site.

JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Initiate contact with potential public venue collection clients within 125 miles of Kalamazoo facility; WMU itself could be an opportunity working with university sustainability resources
• Develop collection, retrieval and transportation systems for returning cups to Kalamazoo facility for pilot QSR executions
• Complete and maintain financial analysis of pilot program executions to include cost-to-serve and incremental goodwill or business growth that may result from QSR or other collaborations
• Engage with Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) resources to support expansion of paper cup recycling promotional materials supported with GPI banners 
• Leverage internal and external resources to establish valuation for combined OCC/cup collections based on yield and performance at Kalamazoo facility
• With pilot programs underway, establish scenario plans for Waco, TX recycling and recovery system which can be used as baseline upon facility start up in 2026
• Building an understanding of facility solid waste flows, primarily paper fines, and investigate alternative uses for these organic materials
• Collaborate with GPI Brand and Communications team on promotional material for engagement with QSRs, MRFs and directly with consumers
• ESG Data validation
• Condensing large amounts of information into easy to read one-pagers for company use
• Other duties as assigned.
• Expectation for work hours: Approximately 15-20 hrs/week

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Second year and above student pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management
• 3.0 or higher GPA
• Strong record of accomplishment and an aptitude for root cause problem solving techniques
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing & Supply Chain Value Stream Mapping tools and methodologies
• Understanding of emerging sustainability trends and potential legislation
• Experience working in quick serve restaurant or ‘fast-food’ environment is preferred, but not required

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work independently or in team environment, maintaining a positive attitude in a fast-paced environment
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Strong technical and analytical skills, with ability to sort through complex data and develop business solutions
• Exhibit change management and transformation leadership skills
• Willingness to learn and adapt
• Demonstrate ability to collaborate and gain support from key stakeholders
• A Supply Chain Management professional that embraces the GPI corporate vision and core values

Pay Range:    - 

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the Poster, EEO is the Law.

​