​Graduate opportunities

Summer jobs and/or Student internships are a great way of getting to know Sappi before applying for a more permanent position. They offer a great experience in a fascinating and challenging field of work, and provide an opportunity to use skills acquired during studies, find new ways to put them into use and develop new competencies in line with your interests.

We are always on the lookout for new ideas and opportunities to develop our business.

Thesis work provides an important source of new ideas; every year we support approximately 10 students in their thesis work. If no suitable thesis work position is currently available and you have an idea, please get in touch to explore future opportunities.

To get more insights about our available internships, summer jobs and theses work opportunities, browse our European locations:

Alfeld Mill - Ehingen Mill - Gratkorn Mill - Kirkniemi Mill - Lanaken Mill - Maastricht Mill - Stockstadt Mill

Our European Management Trainee Programme is designed to offer an international business experience in an exciting and future-focused sector.

How about jump-starting your career and joining the European Management / Manufacturing Trainee Program at Sappi!

What is our Program all about?

With our two year European Management / Manufacturing Trainee Program we want to develop Sappi’s future leaders. It consists of two or more multidisciplinary assignments which can be situated in different locations in Europe.

In this program you will participate together with other trainees in several workshops. These workshops aim at enhancing your personal and interpersonal skills as well as giving you some foundational insights into how to lead people. You will get presentations by business directors and they will provide you with case studies to develop your Sappi Business knowledge. Visits to our Mills, Sales Offices, customers and suppliers also form an important part of our trainee program. To support you, you will be coached by your assignment managers.

Different from an internship or apprenticeship program, as a management/manufacturing trainee in Sappi, you are an integral part of a team/department managing your own projects and receiving accordingly an attractive remuneration package.

And.. our trainees have a lot of fun!

Who can join our Program?

We welcome graduates with one or multiple Master Degrees/PHD in multiple relevant disciplines being General Business, Economics, Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering,… preferably with an international experience or studied in multiple countries.

• you have a maximum of two years’ working experience • you speak and write fluent English and speak at least one other European language, Dutch, German and/or Finnish • you have strong interpersonal skills and a talent for leadership • you are driven and have a hands-on personality • you have a large capacity to adapt quickly and are looking for new challenges • you are flexible, mobile and willing to travel and work abroad (European Countries) • working in a multicultural environment attracts you.

And of course we count on your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn all about Sappi!

What do we offer?

An attractive remuneration package and interesting European career opportunities are offered. Development will be on top of your agenda! If you are interested in joining our program, please send us your letter of motivation and full CV in English via e-mail to edith.koole@sappi.com. Your application is welcome throughout the year.

Last but not least… What do our trainees say about the program?

Annukka Hirsi from Finland: “It is now time to start my second assignment as a Sappi manufacturing trainee. First year was giving me a great picture about how Sappi works as a company. After the assignment in Stockstadt Mill I have a good basic knowledge about pulp mill operations and really interesting insight in latest measurement technologies of screening quality. Now it is time to widen my knowledge also to the side of paper production in Ehingen Mill!

Johanna Järvinen from Finland: “Coming from the land of forests, and having a background in the Finnish forest industry around the world, it is extremely interesting to have this opportunity to deep-dive into the organization, culture and way of doing of a company that has its basis in South Africa. Sappi Europe has a very transparent culture that boosts development of young individuals and offers a truly European perspective to the forest industry. The position in Product Group Management Sheets team gives a very holistic view on the operative side between production and sales.”

Giorgio Comandé from Italy: “After studying and my experience in a multicultural company, I was looking for a formative and international experience to give me the chance to learn from different departments and from people from worldwide. At Sappi, I found the possibility to challenge myself and the chance to show my abilities thanks to the responsibility that they gave me.”

Lukas Rebernig from Austria: “At Sappi, I received the opportunity to start applying my knowledge and skills from the start and work in a fully motivated team that is striving for sound solutions to master future challenges. “