Mill Controller Trainee

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title:

Mill Controller Trainee

Pay Rate

$100,000 – $130,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift :

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location :

Riverdale Mill

601 County Road 78 Selma, Al 36703

The Job You Will Perform:

The position of Mill Controller plays a key role in assisting operating management with driving business results. In order to enhance the finance organization’s ability to develop high-performing talent to fill Mill Controller roles, the position of Mill Controller Trainee has been established. This position reports directly to the Manufacturing Finance Lead, Containerboard, and functionally to the Controller at the mill where the trainee is assigned.

Depending upon the candidate’s background, it is envisioned that this could be multi-year assignment. However, the individual’s performance will dictate tenure in the program and whether or not they become eligible for consideration for a Mill Controller position.

The candidate must be an active learner, have demonstrated skills sets, and have the desire to promote to a future Mill Controller.

Key Accountabilities :

An overall development framework has been created, however, within its context it will be tailored to the specific individual based upon their previous background and skills. The framework focuses the trainee’s competency development in the areas of: functional/technical skills; leadership; lead team interaction; and key core skills. The following are high-level perspectives of the program depending upon if the person has sufficient prior mill experience or not:

Job Experience to Include:

• Gaining and demonstrating knowledge in SAP operating model familiarity, mill area process knowledge and analytics, mill month-end close variance and analysis, financial operations, key cost drivers and key metrics, forecasting, and mill control environment.
• Take a lead role in cost accounting/standards, planning, supervising, capital policies and management, overall mill analytics, mill strategic analysis, division assignments, and community involvement. Participating and having active engagement with the Mill Lead Team.
• Participating and having active engagement with the Mill Lead Team, gaining and demonstrating knowledge in capital policies and management, overall mill analytics, mill strategic analysis, division assignments, and community involvement.
• Participate in ad-hoc requests designated by the Senior Manager, Mill Finance Optimization supporting enterprise initiatives.

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• 5-10 years’ experience in finance roles
• Finance experience in a business and/or facility preferred
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills
• Strong functional technical skills
• Effective communicator with excellent oral, written and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Self-starter and active learner
• Results oriented with a drive to implement sustainable improvements
• Proven ability to work both individually and as a part of a team
• Ability to relocate now and in the future in the US manufacturing system

Key Competencies :

• Organizing
• Problem Solving
• Action Oriented
• Self-Development
• Perseverance
• Time Management
• Learning on the Fly
• Peer Relationships
• Timely Decision Making
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Customer Focus
• Drive for Results
• Priority Setting
• Integrity
• Trust
• Listening

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

• Paid time off including Vacation and Holidays
• Retirement, and 401k Matching Program
• Medical & Dental
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Life & Disability Insurance

The Career You Will Build:

• You will have opportunities to learn, develop, and contribute to the success of International Paper.
• Our team is comprised of members with diverse backgrounds.
• You will have the opportunity to grow your global business acumen and perspective.

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 120 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP .

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected] or (877) 973-3919.
Selma AL 36701-8311