Celebrating the Graduates of Mondi’s International Graduate Programme – Cohort 2023

Our International Graduate Programme (IGP) is more than just a career stepping stone—it’s a platform that empowers graduates to develop their skills, tackle real business challenges, and contribute meaningfully to our global operations. 

The 18-month programme provides hands-on experience across different departments and locations—including Austria, Sweden, Egypt, Morocco, and Belgium — offering a unique perspective on how we create sustainable packaging and paper solutions. In 2023, eight talented graduates from diverse backgrounds embarked on this transformative journey, and last week, we proudly celebrated their achievements. 

Learning, growing, and making an impact 

Throughout the programme, graduates worked on high-impact projects, each guided by a dedicated sponsor from the business. This year’s graduates tackled challenges ranging from developing a wood sourcing forecast model to optimising spare parts management. Their fresh perspectives and innovative approaches not only helped advance Mondi’s strategic priorities but also drove meaningful change within our organisation. 

Manon Dols, Head of Quality Paper Bags, who served as a business sponsor, shared her experience: 

Investing in young talent through this programme is crucial for Mondi’s future success. The fresh perspectives of our graduates challenge us to rethink and improve our internal processes. Supporting and mentoring them is incredibly rewarding, and it’s inspiring to see their professional growth.

The impact of the graduates’ work was also recognised by our Finance Director, Clemens Eder: 

Our graduates have made a great effort and impressed us with a very professional presentation of their work. It was clearly visible that they took their assignments very seriously and had the ambition not only to complete their projects but to make a real and lasting impact for Mondi.

The projects tackled real business needs, directly addressing challenges within Flexible Packaging Finance management: 

The project topics were taken directly from the list of open to-dos of the Flexible Packaging Finance management. We were eagerly anticipating the outcome of our trainees’ work, as each of the projects addressed a process that is currently not working effectively enough, so any improvement ideas are greatly appreciated.

A Graduate’s Perspective 

Tommaso Menneghin, one of our graduates, reflected on his journey: 

The project my teammate and I worked on over the last 18 months was an incredible learning experience. It allowed us to dive deep into production processes, master essential quality tools like FMEA, and refine our project management and soft skills. It has truly been a journey of growth.

Tommaso´s graduate journey began at Mondi Padova (Italy) in the Finance department. After the first 6 months he started his first international rotation to Mondi Poperinge in Belgium and finally concluded the programme in Germany. We are excited to see him take over a new role at Mondi Padova after graduating. 

Looking Ahead 

At Mondi, we believe in nurturing young talent—it’s what keeps us growing and innovating. Thomas Ott, CEO of Flexible Packaging, highlighted the impact of the IGP: 

At Mondi, we are passionate about developing future leaders. The International Graduate Programme is designed to help young professionals grow, innovate, and contribute to our business. This year’s graduates have demonstrated dedication, creativity, and a strong impact on our organisation. What makes this programme truly special is the hands-on experience at our production sites, providing deep insights into our operations.

As we celebrate the success of the IGP Class of 2023, we look forward to seeing them continue to thrive within Mondi and beyond.