HR Leadership Program Associate, 2027

Smurfit-Westrock; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is launching a two-year HR Leadership Program designed to develop emerging HR professionals through targeted rotations across HR functions. This program requires relocation and offers immersive experiences in Labor Relations, Compliance, HRIS, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and more.

Participants will partner with senior HR leaders, work on high-priority projects, and receive blended training across business acumen, leadership development, and mentorship, preparing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field.
• Master’s degree in HR, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred.
• 0–3 years of relevant HR experience or internships.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in a long-term HR career.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work in production/plant locations.
• Relocation flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Assisting design and implementation of HR programs and initiatives.
• Conducting data analysis and reporting on HR metrics.
• Advising managers and employees on HR policies and practices.
• Leading or supporting cross-functional project teams.
• Evaluating HR solutions and recommending improvements.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to enhance the employee lifecycle experience.

Skills

Communication

Leadership potential

Adaptability

Production plants

Relocation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field

Master’s degree in HR, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field (preferred)

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The Opportunity

The HR Leadership Program (“HRLP”) is a two-year rotational program composed of targeted leadership development, designed to support emerging HR professionals. Over the course of two 12-month rotations, associates will gain immersive, cross-functional experiences across the full spectrum of human resources. Upon completion of the program, HRLP graduates will be strategically prepared to drive impact and step into future leadership roles, forming a robust pipeline of HR talent.

This program requires relocation.

ProgramExperience:

• Exposure to key HR focus areas including (but not limited to): Labor Relations, HR Compliance, HRIS Systems, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, Succession Planning, and Performance Management.
• Partner with senior HR professionals and cross-functional leaders to collaborate on high-priority projects and reinforce the HR strategy.
• Fuel innovationby embracing fresh,diverse thinkingandfuture-readyapproaches, preparing our businesses for the evolving workforce and technologies.
• Receive comprehensive training through a blended model of experience, exposure, and education. The curriculum covers business acumen, professional and leadership development, mentorship access, networking opportunities, and more.
• Collaborate on initiatives that align HR strategy with broader business goals, including organizational effectiveness, culture, and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

While responsibilities vary by rotation, typical duties may include:

• Supporting the design and implementation of HR programs and initiatives
• Conducting data analysis and reporting on key HR metrics
• Advising managers and employees on HR policies and best practices
• Leading or supporting cross-functional project teams
• Evaluating the effectiveness of HR solutions and recommending improvements
• Partnering with stakeholders to enhance the employee lifecycle experience

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in human resources , Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field
• Preferred: Master’s degree in human resources , Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field (equivalent experience)
• 0–3 years of relevant work or internship experience in HR-related roles
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in a long-term HR career
• Clear communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to adapt to new environments and work collaboratively
• Willingness to work in production/plant locations (non-corporate environments)
• Relocation flexibility

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.