Supply Chain Intern

Global Supply Chain Intern

Date: Aug 17, 2026

Location: LAKE FOREST, IL, US, 60045-5202

Company: Grainger Businesses

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. For more information, visit

Compensation: This position is hourly. The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $24.00/hr and $27.00/hr.

Grainger Benefits: The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills. The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above. Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Position Details:

During the 10-week paid internship, there is an opportunity to further explore your career options while simultaneously gaining intensive, hands-on experience. Each intern will have a meaningful project that contributes to the Grainger business, providing a formal presentation to leaders and fellow team members at the end of the program. The summer schedule is filled with professional development sessions, learning sessions with the Grainger Leadership Team, and social events to connect with other interns. Interns will gain exposure to 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 will have the opportunity to participate in a three-year rotational development program which will equip participants with the experiences, knowledge, and skills necessary to understand how Grainger's supply chain organization delivers value to our customers. Participants will gain experiences in business analytics, continuous improvement principles & practices, and leading teams in front-line supply chain operations to accelerate their development.

You Will:

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.

Potential Areas

• Global Supply Chain Branch Network: Develop reporting and provide data-based insights to leadership in order to drive profitable walk-in revenue growth, unparalleled service, operationally sound processes, and a culture of safety and team member engagement throughout the US and Canadian Branch Networks.
• Customer Service: 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 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 they comply with and execute to Grainger's Performance Metrics for all Purchase Orders.
• Inventory: Determine where to stock, how much to stock, and when to replenish over 500k planned items across hundreds of North America Grainger locations. Partner with the branch network and distribution centers to plan inventory with a focus on the customer experience while driving increased revenue and reduced excess.
• Network Strategy: 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 roll out solutions.
• Continuous Improvement & Supply Chain Programs: Work cross-functionally in support of projects that align to the Global Supply Chain/Customer Experience/Operations 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.

You Have:

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, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related majors.

Intermediate proficiency in Excel required (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 an ability to synthesize information, reach logical conclusions, evaluate and improve processes.

Expected graduation between December 2027 – June 2028.

Preferred Skills (Not Required): 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.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one's employment.