Global Supply Chain/Merchandising & Supplier Management Intern
WHO IS GRAINGER?
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a business-to-business distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies, and other related products and services. More than 5 million businesses and institutions worldwide rely on Grainger for products in categories such as safety, material handling and metalworking, along with services like inventory management and technical support. These customers represent a collection of industries including commercial, government, healthcare and manufacturing. They place orders online, on mobile devices, through sales representatives, over the phone and at local branches. Approximately 4,500 suppliers provide Grainger with 1.5 million products stocked in the company’s distribution centers (DCs) and branches worldwide. Grainger employs nearly 23,000 team members across the globe. At Grainger, we’re committed to our purpose – We Keep the World Working. Grainger is a Fortune 500 company and a perennial member of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies list.
THE PROGRAM
During the 10 week paid internship, there is an opportunity to further explore your career options while simultaneously gaining intensive, hands-on experience. You will be part of a structured experience that combines learning about our business, contributing to your department and having fun. Each intern will have a meaningful project that contributes to the Grainger business and will provide a formal presentation to leaders and fellow team members at the end of the program. The summer schedule is filled with professional development sessions, executive learning sessions and social events to connect with other interns. All interns are afforded the opportunity to directly learn how the best in class supply chain organization operates! Grainger’s internship provides paid housing for those interns who live outside a 30-mile radius from Lake Forest. At this time, we plan for our 2022 internship program to take place in-person. However, we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will take all necessary steps to ensure team member safety.
THE ROLE
We are looking for students who have a strong interest in continuous learning, great communication skills, and a passion to contribute to an outstanding team. The below information demonstrates what skills are vital to succeed in the internship program. As an intern, you could potentially be placed in one of the following areas:
Potential Areas
What They Do?
Global Supply Chain
Branch Network
Develop reporting and provide data-based insights to leadership in order to drive profitable Will Call and Counter revenue growth, unparalleled service, operationally sound processes, and a culture of safety and team member engagement throughout the US and Canadian Branch Networks.
Contact Centers
Assess, design, and build solutions through process/technology changes that are aimed at improving customer experience and increasing the effectiveness of our customer service agents.
DC Engineering /
Space Management
Optimize inventory storage, reduce costs, and improve operational process flows by analyzing inventory and order data, partnering with local distribution center leadership, and researching alternate techniques with external vendors.
Global Supplier Performance Management
Partner with the overseas sourcing team to manage purchasing and availability of inventory for globally sourced items.
Inventory Systems
Determine where to stock, how much to stock, and when to replenish over 500k planned items across hundreds of North America Grainger locations.
Network Design
Determine and develop supply chain network strategy capabilities to accommodate current demand and future growth, leveraging forecasting tools, data analysis, and order routing logic.
Order to Cash
Drive customer experience improvements by analyzing order data and customer information to identify trends; partner cross-functionally to find and rollout solutions.
Regional Inventory
Partner with the branch network and sales organization to plan inventory with a focus on the customer experience while driving increased revenue and reduced excess.
Supplier Performance Management
Work closely with suppliers to ensure they comply with and execute to Grainger’s Performance Metrics for all Purchase Orders.
Supply Chain Programs
Work cross-functionally in support of projects that align to Global Supply Chain/Customer Experience strategic roadmap focusing on reducing our cost to serve while maintaining/improving customer experience.
Transportation
Support Transportation Operations by enhancing current reporting, addressing current service issues, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and supporting operational design to deliver to customers at the right time for the right cost.
Merchandising / Supplier Management
GGS Engineering
Support the building of cost transparencies for private label negotiation discussions and learn about the value of global sourcing to the organization.
M&SM Operations
Learn the work that supports supplier contracts, product cost changes, reporting and analytics, customer specific solutions, product lifecycle transitions, or product compliance.
Product Information
& Search
Define and manage internal product taxonomy, attribute schema, product classification and search results to ensure customers can find, select, and confirm product selections.
Supplier Management
Determine product category strategy by selecting products and suppliers, negotiating product cost, and managing the accuracy of product information for items sourced domestically and internationally.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- No visa sponsorships now or in the future.
- Currently enrolled in a college or University, working towards a bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, Business Analytics, Marketing, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics or related majors.
- Intermediate level of expertise in MS Office is required (especially enhanced Excel capabilities).
- Proven communication (written / verbal), interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Proven analytical skills including an ability to synthesize information, reach logical conclusions, evaluate and improve processes.
- Expected graduation between December 2022 and June 2023.
Grainger is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.