Global Supply Chain Intern

Work Location Type: Hybrid

About Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion.

Pay

The anticipated base pay compensation range for this hourly position is $24.00/hr to $27.00/hr. Individual base pay will depend on geographic work location and relevant experience and skills. The range described is subject to change, and compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower.

Benefits

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Position Details

During this 10-week paid internship, you will gain intensive, hands-on experience through a meaningful project that contributes to Grainger’s business. Interns present their work to leaders and team members at the end of the program. The summer schedule includes professional development sessions, learning sessions with the Grainger Leadership Team, and social events to connect with other interns. You will explore how modern supply chain organizations leverage data, automation, and emerging technologies to improve speed, reliability, and customer outcomes.

Following the internship, if a full-time offer is extended, you may participate in a three-year rotational development program. This program equips participants with experiences, knowledge, and skills to understand how Grainger’s supply chain delivers value to customers. You will gain experience in business analytics, continuous improvement principles, and leading teams in front-line supply chain operations to accelerate your development.

Responsibilities

As an intern, you could be placed in one of the following areas:

• Global Supply Chain Branch Network: Develop reporting and provide data-based insights to leadership to drive profitable walk-in revenue growth, service excellence, operationally sound processes, and a culture of safety and team member engagement across the US and Canadian Branch Networks.
• Customer Service: Assess, design, and build solutions through process or technology changes aimed at improving customer experience and increasing the effectiveness of customer service agents.
• DC Operations: 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.
• Supplier Performance: Partner with the overseas sourcing team to manage purchasing and availability of inventory for globally sourced items. Work closely with suppliers to ensure compliance with Grainger’s Performance Metrics for all Purchase Orders.
• Inventory: Determine where to stock, how much to stock, and when to replenish over 500,000 planned items across hundreds of North American Grainger locations. Partner with the branch network and distribution centers to plan inventory with a focus on customer experience while driving increased revenue and reduced excess.
• Network Strategy: 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 roll out solutions.
• Continuous Improvement & Supply Chain Programs: Work cross-functionally on projects aligned with the Global Supply Chain, Customer Experience, or Operations strategic roadmap, focusing on reducing cost to serve while maintaining or improving customer experience.
• Transportation: Support Transportation Operations by enhancing current reporting, addressing service issues, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and supporting operational design to deliver to customers at the right time for the right cost.

Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• No visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Currently enrolled in a college or university, working toward a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, Business Analytics, Marketing, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related majors.
• Expected graduation between December 2027 – June 2028.

Skills

• Intermediate proficiency in Excel (e.g., data analysis, pivots, formulas).
• Exposure to or interest in tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, or other analytics/visualization tools is a plus but not required.
• Proven communication (written/verbal), interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Proven analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize information, reach logical conclusions, evaluate, and improve processes.

Preferred Skills

• Coursework or project experience in data analytics, SQL, Python, R, or statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with automation, AI tools, or process digitization concepts.
• Experience working with large datasets or building dashboards through class projects or internships.
• Curiosity about how technology and analytics improve supply chain efficiency and customer experience.