Tom Kadien joined International Paper in 1978 and held various sales and marketing positions in IP’s Packaging businesses. He became manufacturing manager for Nicolet in 1991 and general manager of Nicolet in 1992. He was vice president of Fine Papers in 1999 and vice president of Commercial Printing and Imaging Papers in 2000. In April 2003, he was appointed president of IP Europe, and was named a senior vice president of IP in May 2004.

In November 2005 Tom became senior vice president and president of xpedx, International Paper's distribution business. He was named senior vice president Consumer Packaging & IP Asia on January 1, 2010.