HR Leadership Program Associate, 2027

Smurfit Westrock; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock invites applications for the HR Leadership Program Associate – 2027. This two-year rotational program develops HR professionals through immersive experiences across Labor Relations, Compliance, HRIS, Talent Acquisition, and more.

Relocation is required, offering exposure to production environments and cross-functional leadership opportunities. Participants work with senior HR leaders on high-priority projects, receiving blended training in business acumen, leadership, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• 0–3 years of HR-related work or internship experience.
• Demonstrated leadership potential and interest in HR career.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; adaptable and collaborative.
• Willingness to work in production/plant locations; relocation required.

Responsibilities

• Support design and implementation of HR programs and initiatives.
• Conduct data analysis and reporting on HR metrics.
• Advise managers and employees on HR policies and best practices.
• Lead or support cross-functional project teams.
• Evaluate HR solutions and recommend improvements.
• Partner with stakeholders to enhance the employee lifecycle experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or a related field

Master’s degree in human resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related field (equivalent experience)

Tools

HRIS Systems

Job description

Description & Requirements

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.

Description & Requirements

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.

HR Leadership Program Associate – 2027

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.

Program Experience

• 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.