Corrugated Business Associate (Sales) Northampton, MA

Packaging Corporation of America; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary range: $70,000 - $80,0

Annual bonus

Paid vacation

Holidays

401k with match

Job summary

The Corrugated Business Associate role is part of PCA’s GIFT program, a 10–12 month rotational training track for recent graduates. You rotate through Design, Production, Customer Service, and Sales, network at group conferences, and transition into a full-time Sales Representative role upon successful completion.

This is a full-time position with benefits, offering a starting salary range of $70,000 to $80,000, plus a bonus program, vacation, holidays, and a 401k with company match.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required at start of position.
• Ability to start between May 2027 and July 2027.
• Willing to travel as necessary and have travel documents for air and car travel.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through four main departments: Design, Production, Customer Service, Sales.
• Work with GIFT Mentor to stay on track and meet program goals.
• Complete department assignments under supervisor guidance.
• Learn how departments interrelate to run the plant efficiently.
• Identify issues and present possible improvements and solutions.
• Attend GIFT program training conferences and network with peers.
• Collaborate with other Corrugated Business Associates on projects.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People

• Customers
• Trust

Description Of Role

The Corrugated Business Associate is part of the GIFT (Generational Investment for Tomorrow) Program, which focuses on hiring recent college graduates into a rotational training experience with the goal of developing them into well-rounded employees and future leaders at PCA. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits.

What is PCA’s GIFT Program?

The GIFT Program is a comprehensive rotational training program designed to give recent college graduates experience in the major departments of a corrugated box plant and a well-rounded knowledge of the corrugated packaging industry as a whole. The program lasts anywhere from 10-12 months and is focused on sales development. The department rotations included in the program are Design, Production, Customer Service, and Sales. The program also has group conferences where Corrugated Business Associates will network and participate in professional training with others in the same position. Upon successful completion of the program, the Corrugated Business Associate will transition into a new full-time role as a Sales Representative.

Principle Accountabilities

Work closely and communicate often with the assigned GIFT Mentor throughout the program to help stay on track and reinforce the goals of the role.

Rotate through the four main departments at a corrugated plant: Design, Production, Customer Service, and Sales.

Work on any assignments or projects in the given department under the instruction of the department supervisor.

Learn about the specifics of how the main departments in the plant work together.

When possible, identify issues and areas for improvement and present findings as well as possible solutions to the department supervisor and GIFT Mentor.

Attend and participate in the GIFT program training conferences.

Collaborate with other Corrugated Business Associates to complete projects.

Know and follow policies and procedures of the company, share information that would benefit other members of the team and find ways to improve the delivery of service to our customers.

Strive to continually strengthen PCA’s business philosophy of meeting needs and exceeding expectations for customers specifically supporting PCA’s Commitment to Service that involves doing what is right for our customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping the promises that we make.

Basic Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree is required upon starting the position.

Must obtain Bachelor’s degree between designated dates: 12/2026 – 05/2027

Ability to start position on a day between designated dates: 05/2027 – 07/2027

Must be able to travel as necessary and possess valid documents for travel via air and car.

Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.

Capacity to stand and sit for long periods of time.

Capability to squat, kneel, bend over as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

A minimum of one Internship or Co-op is preferred especially in an environment related to the GIFT position type.

Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in preferably Sales, Marketing, Business Management or a related field.

The successful candidate must possess the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to learn quickly and put new knowledge into practice.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Leadership experience or strong leadership skills with the drive to lead others.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to network and build relationships with individuals of various experiences and professional levels both within and outside of the company.

Quick and concise decision and problem solving skills.

Previous work experience as a member of a team, or a strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing between team members.

All qualified applicants must apply at Careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

Compensation And Benefits

• Starting salary range for position: $70,000 - 80,000.
• Bonus: Annual – Based upon individual contribution and overall, Company performance.
• Paid Vacation: Three (3) weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.