People are our greatest assets

Smurfit Kappa Group has developed Management for Continuous Improvement programs in all its operations. That’s the reason why it is eager to hire highly qualified individuals who are always ready to learn how to go further.
The group has developed several programs in various countries to ensure that selected candidates can take full advantage of developing their potential while contributing to the success of the Company.

At the corporate level, several programs are monitored in order to train and prepare the Group’s future Managers.

The Smurfit Kappa Graduate Programme: develops knowledge through work experience

Established in 1979, the Smurfit Kappa Ireland’s Graduate Management Training Program provides young students with the opportunity to take a two-year course via four 6-month internships within different and distinct business units of the Group.
Any and all disciplines can apply, whether it be a Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree holder.
The selection process, in line with the Group culture, places greater emphasis on personality and managerial potential than on academic standing. At the end of the program, details of suitable vacancies within Smurfit are given to the candidates.
The major benefits of the program are to offer tangible opportunities to develop as a Manager, to learn how to deal with various business issues, gain experience, and exchange ideas.
Application forms may be obtained from the Careers Office or from Colette Norman from the month of November every year.

Smurfit Kappa International Trainee Programme

The Smurfit Kappa International Trainee Programme supports a select group of high calibre university graduates throughout Europe to develop into international management roles. During this two year programme they will meet each other several times in order to share experiences, to increase skills and competencies and to enhance their network within the Smurfit Kappa organisation.

The Smurfit Kappa University: training the Group’s future managers

Created in 1999, this in-house program has been part of an ongoing development process for managers so that they can play a significant part in the achievement of the company’s overall strategies and objectives, with a specific focus on performance, innovation and customer satisfaction. The participants must have a track record of achievement within the organization and be considered as individuals with high potential.
Keeping in line with the Group’s culture, networking, exchange of ideas and cross-cultural experiences are crucial elements of this program.

Smurfit Kappa Latin America’s Trainee program

In the Smurfit Kappa Latin American operations, recently recruited graduate students enroll in a training program that normally lasts between 12 and 18 months. The recruiting and hiring is done year round at the local level, according to individual country needs. The recommended contact is the Personnel Director of each operating company, who will interview the candidates and send them on to other Senior Managers for further interviewing. Again, greater emphasis is placed on personal character and managerial potential than on academic standing.