How to Apply to Sonoco Products

11 min read Last updated March 7, 2026 54 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Apply directly through Sonoco's Workday portal at sonoco.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com and build a complete candidate profile — with only ~54+ open openings, each application gets meaningful recruiter attention, so a thorough profile gives you a real advantage
  • Quantify your manufacturing impact using metrics Sonoco cares about: OEE improvement, downtime reduction percentages, safety incident rates, waste reduction, and production throughput — vague descriptions of responsibilities won't differentiate you
  • State your shift availability and physical role readiness explicitly on your resume and in application fields, as these are primary screening filters for the majority of Sonoco's open positions
  • Prepare for on-site plant interviews by researching the specific facility's products (tubes, rigid containers, flexible packaging, thermoformed plastics) and bring concrete examples of troubleshooting, process improvement, or team leadership from similar manufacturing settings
  • Format your resume in single-column .docx with standard section headers and spelled-out acronyms to ensure Workday parses your information accurately — then verify every auto-filled field before submitting
  • Demonstrate alignment with Sonoco's sustainability commitments and safety culture in your cover letter or application responses, as these are strategic priorities that influence hiring decisions at every level of the organization

About Sonoco Products

Sonoco Products Company is one of the world's largest diversified global packaging companies, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina. With approximately 22,000 employees operating across 300+ facilities in roughly 30 countries, Sonoco designs and manufactures industrial and consumer packaging products, protective solutions, and engineered materials that serve industries from food and beverage to healthcare, automotive, and construction. Listed on the NYSE (SON) and consistently recognized on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies list, Sonoco occupies a distinctive niche as a legacy manufacturer that has continually reinvented itself — pivoting from its origins in textile cones and tubes into a multi-billion-dollar operation spanning rigid paper containers, flexible packaging, thermoformed plastics, metal ends, and sustainable packaging innovations. Sonoco's culture is deeply rooted in operational excellence, safety-first manufacturing, and long-tenured careers. Employees commonly describe a collaborative, family-oriented atmosphere, particularly at plant-level operations where teamwork on production lines and maintenance crews shapes day-to-day experience. The company places significant emphasis on sustainability, having committed to making 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable, which increasingly influences its hiring priorities. For job seekers, Sonoco offers the stability of a 125-year-old Fortune 500 manufacturer combined with meaningful work in sustainable packaging — an industry experiencing accelerating demand as global brands seek to reduce their environmental footprint. Competitive compensation, strong benefits packages including retirement plans, and clear pathways from production floor roles to supervisory and management positions make Sonoco especially attractive to both skilled trades professionals and early-career candidates looking for manufacturing careers with genuine upward mobility.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Search and Identify Roles on Sonoco's Workday Careers Portal

    Navigate to Sonoco's dedicated Workday careers page at sonoco.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CorporateCareers to browse current openings. With approximately 54+ open positions at any given time across global facilities, the posting volume is relatively lean — meaning each opening typically receives focused attention from recruiters. Use Workday's built-in filters to narrow by location, job family (Manufacturing, Engineering, Human Resources, Logistics), and employment type to find roles aligned with your experience.

  2. 2
    Create or Log Into Your Workday Candidate Profile

    Workday will prompt you to create a candidate account or sign in using LinkedIn, Google, or an existing Workday account from another employer. Building a complete Workday profile is critical at Sonoco because this system stores your information for future openings — if a Plant HR Manager role isn't available today, your profile can surface when one opens at another facility. Complete every optional field, including skills, certifications, and shift availability, as Sonoco's recruiting team commonly uses these fields to filter candidate pools for manufacturing and operations roles.

  3. 3
    Upload a Tailored Resume and Complete the Application Form

    Upload your resume in a clean .docx or .pdf format, then carefully review the auto-parsed fields Workday populates — this system frequently misreads manufacturing job titles, technical certifications, and plant-specific terminology, so manual corrections are essential. Sonoco's application form typically includes questions about shift availability (rotating, 2nd, 3rd shifts are common), willingness to relocate to specific plant locations, and relevant certifications such as PLC programming, CMMS experience, or forklift operation. Answer every question thoroughly, as incomplete applications are often deprioritized in Workday's screening workflows.

  4. 4
    Complete Any Pre-Screening Assessments or Questionnaires

    Depending on the role, Sonoco may include Workday-integrated screening questions covering safety awareness, mechanical aptitude, or situational judgment — particularly for production, maintenance, and supervisory positions. For professional and engineering roles like Senior Controls Engineer, expect more detailed questions about specific technical competencies such as Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, SCADA systems, or packaging line automation experience. These assessments typically function as qualifying filters, so provide specific, detailed responses rather than generic answers.

  5. 5
    Initial Recruiter or HR Screening

    Qualified candidates are typically contacted by a Sonoco HR representative or plant-level HR manager for an initial phone or video screening lasting 20-30 minutes. This conversation commonly covers your shift flexibility, commute or relocation logistics (many Sonoco plants are in smaller communities like Hartsville, SC or rural manufacturing areas), safety mindset, and high-level experience fit. For plant operations roles, expect questions about your comfort with physical demands, rotating shift schedules, and previous manufacturing environments.

  6. 6
    On-Site or Panel Interview at the Facility

    Sonoco commonly conducts on-site interviews at the specific plant or facility where the role is based, often including a facility tour so candidates can observe the production environment firsthand. For supervisory and management roles like Shift Supervisor or Plant HR Manager, expect to meet with the plant manager, operations leadership, and potentially peer-level supervisors in a panel or sequential interview format. Maintenance and technical roles may include a practical assessment or detailed technical discussion about equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance programs, or automation systems used on Sonoco's packaging lines.

  7. 7
    Background Check, Drug Screening, and Offer

    As a manufacturer with extensive safety requirements, Sonoco typically requires pre-employment background checks and drug screening for all hires — particularly for roles involving heavy machinery operation, production line work, or facility access. Offers are generated through Workday and commonly include details on shift differential pay, benefits enrollment timelines, and facility-specific onboarding schedules. Many Sonoco plants run structured onboarding programs that include safety orientation, equipment training, and buddy systems for new hires during their first weeks.

Resume Tips for Sonoco Products

critical

Lead with Manufacturing KPIs and Safety Metrics

Sonoco's operational culture revolves around measurable performance — OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), downtime reduction, safety incident rates, and production throughput. Quantify your impact using these exact metrics: 'Reduced unplanned downtime by 18% through preventive maintenance scheduling' or 'Maintained zero recordable safety incidents across 14-month period.' For production and maintenance roles, these numbers signal that you speak the language of packaging manufacturing and understand what Sonoco leadership tracks daily.

critical

Mirror Sonoco's Exact Job Title Terminology in Your Experience Section

Workday's parsing algorithm matches your resume content against the job posting's requirements. Sonoco uses specific terminology like 'Industrial Maintenance Reliability Technician,' 'Production Associate,' 'Material Handler,' and 'Controls Engineer' — use these exact phrases when they accurately describe your past roles rather than creative equivalents. If your previous title was 'Machine Operator' but you performed production associate duties, include 'Production Associate' in your role description or a parenthetical to ensure Workday's keyword matching captures the alignment.

critical

Highlight Relevant Technical Certifications Prominently

For maintenance, engineering, and mechatronics roles at Sonoco, certifications carry significant weight. Create a dedicated 'Certifications & Technical Skills' section near the top of your resume listing credentials such as: Journeyman Electrician, PLC Programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), CMMS proficiency (SAP PM, Maximo), Forklift Certification, OSHA 10/30, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or Mechatronics credentials. Sonoco's global operations — including European facilities hiring Mechatroniker/Mechatronics Technicians — value internationally recognized certifications, so include IEC or equivalent standards where applicable.

recommended

Demonstrate Shift Flexibility and Physical Role Readiness

Many of Sonoco's active openings specify rotating shifts, 2nd shift, or 12-hour schedules. Address this directly in your resume summary or a brief 'Availability' line: 'Available for rotating 12-hour shifts including weekends and holidays.' This immediately resolves one of the first screening questions recruiters check and prevents your resume from being set aside during the initial Workday filtering stage. For roles like General Laborer or Material Handler, briefly noting physical capabilities (lifting capacity, standing endurance, warehouse equipment operation) is also effective.

recommended

Showcase Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing Experience

Sonoco has a well-documented commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement methodologies. Reference experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen events, 5S implementation, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), or root cause analysis using specific outcomes: 'Led Kaizen event that eliminated 3 waste steps in corrugating line changeover, reducing setup time from 45 to 28 minutes.' This language resonates strongly across Sonoco's plant network, where continuous improvement is embedded in daily operations rather than treated as an occasional initiative.

recommended

Include Sustainability and Packaging-Specific Experience

Sonoco's strategic focus on sustainable packaging — including commitments to recyclable and compostable materials — means candidates who understand packaging lifecycle, recyclability design, or sustainable materials have a meaningful advantage. If you've worked with corrugated packaging, thermoformed plastics, rigid containers, flexible films, or paper-based packaging solutions, name these materials explicitly. Even for operational roles, mentioning waste reduction initiatives or recyclable material handling demonstrates alignment with Sonoco's corporate mission.

nice_to_have

Use Clean, Single-Column Formatting for Workday Parsing

Workday's resume parser handles standard formatting reliably but struggles with multi-column layouts, text boxes, graphics, headers/footers containing critical information, and tables. Use a single-column layout with clear section headers (Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills), standard bullet points, and chronological work history. Avoid embedding your name or contact information solely in a header — Workday sometimes ignores header/footer content entirely, which could mean your application appears without contact details.

nice_to_have

Reference Multi-Site or Multi-Plant Experience

Sonoco operates 300+ facilities globally, and candidates who demonstrate adaptability across different plant environments, equipment types, or geographic locations stand out — especially for roles that may eventually lead to cross-facility opportunities. If you've worked at multiple manufacturing sites, standardized processes across locations, or supported new plant startups, highlight this explicitly. For Shift Supervisor and Plant HR Manager roles in particular, multi-site exposure signals readiness for Sonoco's decentralized operational structure.

ATS System: Workday

Sonoco uses Workday Recruiting (hosted on the wd1.myworkdayjobs.com domain) as its applicant tracking system for all corporate and plant-level hiring globally. Workday parses uploaded resumes to auto-populate application fields and uses configurable screening criteria set by Sonoco's recruiting team to rank and filter candidates. Because Sonoco's job volume is relatively focused (approximately 19 active postings), each application receives proportionally more scrutiny than at companies posting hundreds of roles simultaneously.

  • Upload resumes in .docx format for the most reliable Workday parsing — PDFs are accepted but occasionally lose formatting during text extraction, especially for technical symbols and special characters common in engineering resumes
  • Always review and manually correct the auto-populated fields after upload, as Workday commonly misparses manufacturing job titles, date ranges, and technical certification names
  • Include the exact job title from the posting (e.g., 'Industrial Maintenance Reliability Technician,' 'Material Handler I') somewhere in your resume to maximize keyword matching scores
  • Complete every optional field in your Workday candidate profile — shift availability, willingness to relocate, and skills tags are commonly used as search filters by Sonoco recruiters managing candidates across multiple plant locations
  • Avoid using acronyms without spelling them out at least once (write 'Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)' and 'Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)') since Workday's keyword search may be configured for either the full term or the abbreviation
  • Save your Workday login credentials — Sonoco's system retains your candidate profile, allowing you to apply to future openings at different facilities without re-entering your information
  • Use standard section headers like 'Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills,' and 'Certifications' rather than creative alternatives, as Workday's parser maps content based on recognized heading conventions

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Interviewing at Sonoco reflects the company's manufacturing DNA — pragmatic, safety-conscious, and focused on whether you can deliver results in a production environment.

The process typically spans two to three rounds, moving faster for hourly plant roles (sometimes completed within a week) and taking two to four weeks for salaried professional and management positions. For production, maintenance, and technician roles, expect the first conversation to be a phone screen with a plant HR representative focused heavily on logistics: shift availability, commute distance, physical capability for the role, and basic experience verification. The second round is almost always on-site at the specific Sonoco facility, where you'll tour the production floor, meet the shift supervisor or maintenance manager, and discuss your hands-on experience with specific equipment — corrugating machines, packaging lines, conveyor systems, PLCs, or whatever the facility runs. Technical candidates (Controls Engineers, Mechatronics Technicians, Reliability Technicians) should be prepared for detailed troubleshooting scenarios: 'Walk me through how you'd diagnose a servo drive fault on a packaging line' or 'Describe your approach to setting up a preventive maintenance program for a new piece of equipment.' For supervisory and management roles like Shift Supervisor or Plant HR Manager, interviews are more structured and typically involve a panel that includes the plant manager, regional operations leadership, and a peer-level supervisor or HR counterpart. Behavioral questions grounded in Sonoco's core values — integrity, safety, commitment to quality — are common. Expect scenarios like: 'Tell me about a time you managed a safety incident on your shift,' 'How have you handled resistance to a process change from experienced operators?' and 'Describe how you've built a culture of accountability on a production team.' Culture fit at Sonoco centers on humility, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to safety. Interviewers are reportedly looking for candidates who demonstrate respect for the manufacturing workforce, a willingness to get hands-on regardless of title, and a track record of reliability. Showing up early, wearing appropriate attire for a plant visit (closed-toe shoes, no loose clothing), asking thoughtful questions about the facility's production goals and safety record, and expressing genuine interest in the specific plant community all signal alignment with Sonoco's culture. Name-dropping sustainability initiatives or Sonoco's packaging innovation work can differentiate you, but practical competence and reliability consistently matter most.

What Sonoco Products Looks For

  • Demonstrated safety-first mindset with specific examples of maintaining or improving safety records in manufacturing environments
  • Hands-on technical proficiency with packaging or production equipment — corrugating, thermoforming, converting, or similar manufacturing processes
  • Flexibility to work rotating shifts, weekends, and overtime during peak production periods, which is a baseline requirement for most plant-level roles
  • Continuous improvement orientation with practical experience implementing Lean, Kaizen, 5S, or TPM methodologies on the production floor
  • Collaborative temperament suited to close-knit plant teams where cross-functional coordination between production, maintenance, quality, and logistics is constant
  • Reliability and consistency — Sonoco plants operate around the clock, and hiring managers prioritize candidates with strong attendance records and stable work histories
  • Adaptability across equipment, processes, and facilities, reflecting Sonoco's diverse product portfolio and decentralized operational structure
  • Genuine interest in the packaging industry and Sonoco's sustainability mission, particularly for professional and engineering-level roles where strategic alignment matters

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the hiring process typically take at Sonoco?
For hourly production and maintenance roles (General Laborer, Production Associate, Material Handler), the process can move quickly — many candidates report going from application to offer within one to two weeks, particularly when a plant has urgent staffing needs for specific shifts. Salaried professional and management positions such as Plant HR Manager or Senior Controls Engineer typically take three to five weeks, as they involve multiple interview rounds and sometimes coordination across regional leadership. Monitoring your Workday candidate portal for status updates is the most reliable way to track your application, and following up with a brief email to the plant HR contact after one week is generally well-received.
Do I need a cover letter when applying to Sonoco?
Sonoco's Workday application typically does not require a cover letter as a mandatory attachment, but including one — especially for supervisory, engineering, and management roles — can meaningfully strengthen your candidacy. Use the cover letter to explain why you're interested in this specific Sonoco facility and role, highlight your alignment with their sustainability mission or safety culture, and address any logistical considerations like relocation willingness. For hourly production roles, a cover letter is less expected, but a strong application summary emphasizing your shift availability, relevant equipment experience, and reliable work history serves the same purpose.
What format should my resume be in for Sonoco's ATS?
Submit your resume in .docx format for the most reliable parsing through Sonoco's Workday system. Use a single-column layout with standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications), conventional bullet points, and chronological ordering. Avoid tables, text boxes, multi-column designs, graphics, and placing critical contact information in headers or footers — Workday's parser can skip these elements entirely. After uploading, always review the auto-populated fields in the application form to catch any parsing errors, which are especially common with technical job titles and certification names.
Does Sonoco hire candidates without prior packaging industry experience?
Yes — many of Sonoco's entry-level and mid-level roles, including General Laborer, Material Handler, Production Associate, and Trainee positions, are accessible to candidates from adjacent manufacturing sectors or even those entering manufacturing for the first time. What matters most is demonstrating reliability, willingness to work rotating shifts, a safety-conscious mindset, and physical capability for the role. For technical positions like Maintenance Reliability Technician or Controls Engineer, transferable experience from any continuous manufacturing environment (food processing, automotive, paper/pulp, chemical) is highly valued even without specific packaging industry background. Highlighting equipment and process skills that translate — conveyor systems, PLCs, hydraulics, CMMS platforms — bridges the industry gap effectively.
What should I expect during an on-site interview at a Sonoco plant?
On-site interviews at Sonoco facilities typically include a tour of the production floor, so dress appropriately — closed-toe shoes are essential, and business casual with safety-compliant footwear is the standard approach. You'll likely meet the hiring supervisor, plant manager, and potentially peer-level colleagues in either a panel or sequential format. For maintenance and technical roles, expect hands-on scenario questions about equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance approaches, and familiarity with specific systems. For supervisory roles, prepare behavioral examples about managing production teams, handling safety incidents, and driving process improvements. Ask specific questions about the facility's production lines, safety metrics, and team structure to demonstrate genuine engagement.
Does Sonoco offer remote work opportunities?
The vast majority of Sonoco's current openings are plant-based, on-site roles that require physical presence — production, maintenance, material handling, and plant management positions cannot be performed remotely. Sonoco does have corporate functions at its Hartsville, SC headquarters and regional offices where hybrid or partially remote arrangements may be available for roles in finance, IT, marketing, or corporate HR, though these postings are less frequent. When browsing the Workday careers portal, check each posting's location details and any mentions of work arrangement flexibility. For most candidates targeting Sonoco, proximity to a specific plant facility is a practical requirement.
How can I stand out when applying for competitive maintenance and technical roles at Sonoco?
Maintenance and technical roles at Sonoco are among the most specialized positions they hire for, and competition can be significant given the skilled trades shortage in manufacturing. Differentiate yourself by listing specific equipment platforms you've worked with (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens S7, ABB robotics, specific conveyor or converting equipment), quantifying your maintenance impact (mean time between failures, PM completion rates, downtime reduction), and showcasing relevant certifications prominently. If you have experience with CMMS platforms like SAP Plant Maintenance or Maximo, highlight this explicitly — data-driven maintenance is increasingly central to Sonoco's reliability strategy. Applying to multiple Sonoco facilities through the same Workday profile can also expand your chances if you're geographically flexible.
What benefits does Sonoco typically offer employees?
Sonoco is widely reported to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plans with company matching, paid time off, and life insurance. Many plant-level roles also include shift differential pay for 2nd, 3rd, and rotating shifts, as well as overtime opportunities during peak production periods. Sonoco has also been recognized for employee development programs, tuition reimbursement, and internal promotion pathways — it's common for Production Associates to advance into supervisory roles and for Maintenance Technicians to grow into reliability engineering or management positions. Specific benefit details are typically confirmed during the offer stage and may vary by location and role level.
Can I apply to multiple Sonoco positions at the same time?
Yes, and this is actually a smart strategy given Sonoco's relatively small number of active postings distributed across different facilities. Your Workday candidate profile carries across all applications, so once your profile is complete, applying to additional roles is straightforward. This approach is particularly effective if you're open to different Sonoco locations or willing to consider adjacent roles — for example, applying for both a Maintenance Coordinator and an Industrial Maintenance Reliability Technician position. Just ensure you tailor the specific application responses and any supplemental materials to each role rather than submitting identical information. Sonoco's recruiters can see your full application history and will appreciate targeted interest rather than blanket applications to every opening.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 54 open positions at Sonoco Products

Related Resources

Career Guides for Sonoco Products Roles

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Sources

  1. Sonoco Products Corporate Careers - Workday Portal — Sonoco Products Company
  2. Sonoco Products Company - About Us — Sonoco Products Company
  3. Sonoco Products Company Reviews and Ratings — Glassdoor
  4. Sonoco Sustainability Report and Commitments — Sonoco Products Company