Research Associate Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Westfall Technik is a global holding company which provides innovative plastics manufacturing solutions to the healthcare, consumer package goods and light industrial vertical markets. The site locations, operating within the Westfall Technik enterprise, are internationally aligned with unmatched global reach in the industry. Our proprietary Stacked Integration Model ™ enables us to operate leveraging a high degree of specialization, extensive capacities in end-to-end design, production and assembly, and first-class references in high-end manufacturing.

ONE WESTFALL

Competitive advantages such as vertical integration, speed-to-market and advanced manufacturing systems allow us to streamline our processes and be a complete solution provider positively impacting our customers’ business. We are powered by experienced people with diversified capabilities and specialties. We pride ourselves in developing customized solutions with precision and care. So, while there is complexity to what we do; we simplify the process to deliver a customer experience that is enjoyable and easy; providing a single point of accountability.

ALL IN.

This simple phrase captures what Westfall Technik is all about. The statement embodies the company’s commitment to total support, complete manufacturing capabilities and its bold approach. It is our internal rallying cry. It is our philosophy. Nothing half-hearted.

Associates (and Customers) can be confident that this mantra drives the organization to be nimble, scalable and comprehensive ----no matter how complex the customers’ challenge.

We look forward to having an interesting conversation with you.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: ESG Intern

Position: Full Time, Non-Exempt

Location: Hybrid: Elizabethtown, KY, Riverside, CA or Asheboro, NC

Pay Scale: $20 -25 / DOE

SUMMARY OF ROLE

This role will support Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives across Westfall Technik’s operations. The intern will play a hands-on role in advancing our ESG program—from building an enterprise ESG project calendar to supporting key audit and reporting frameworks including EcoVadis, CDP, and SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative). The intern will also assist with community and engagement initiatives that reflect our commitment to sustainability.

The ideal candidate has a strong interest in environmental and sustainability issues, solid analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—are essential, as this role involves cross-functional coordination across sites and with external stakeholders. The intern must be driven, self-directed, and comfortable working independently in a hybrid environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESG Program & Project Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive ESG project and initiatives calendar, tracking deadlines, milestones, and owners across the organization.
• Monitor progress on active ESG workstreams and flag risks or delays to the HR/ESG lead.
• Research ESG trends, frameworks, and best practices relevant to the plastics manufacturing and injection molding industry.

EcoVadis Audit Preparation

• Support preparation for the EcoVadis sustainability assessment by gathering documentation, evidence, and supporting data across the four EcoVadis pillars: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders at multiple sites to collect and organize required materials.
• Identify gaps in current documentation and work with relevant teams to address them prior to submission.

CDP Disclosure Preparation

• Assist with preparing responses for CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) reporting, including data gathering on energy consumption, emissions, water use, and climate-related risks and opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, facilities, and finance teams to validate data inputs.
• Help draft and review disclosure responses to ensure completeness and accuracy.

SBTi Target Development

• Support the company’s Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) efforts, including baseline emissions data collection and analysis across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
• Assist in preparing the formal target submission package in alignment with SBTi requirements. (Note: Westfall Technik is an approved SBTi registrant; targets are pending submission.)
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure data integrity and alignment with approved methodologies.

Community & Engagement Initiatives

• Assist with the planning and preparation of the annual Clean Up Event, collaborating with internal teams to coordinate logistics and ensure a successful outcome.
• Develop engaging content for the company’s internal and external communications channels to highlight ESG initiatives, milestones, and employee engagement efforts.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Business with a Sustainability focus, or a related field.
• Strong interest in corporate sustainability, ESG frameworks, and environmental compliance.
• Excellent analytical, research, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with data collection or reporting tools is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a hybrid work environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and site-level stakeholders.
• Prior coursework or experience with sustainability reporting frameworks (EcoVadis, CDP, GHG Protocol, SBTi) is a plus but not required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally?lift up?to 25 lbs.?when necessary.?

By the end of the internship, the ESG Intern will have gained practical, resume-building experience in corporate sustainability and will be expected to deliver the following:

• A fully built and documented ESG project calendar for the organization, ready for ongoing use by internal stakeholders.
• A completed EcoVadis preparation package, including a gap analysis and organized evidence file ready for submission.
• A drafted CDP disclosure response with supporting data, validated and reviewed by internal teams.
• A baseline emissions dataset and SBTi target submission package, prepared in alignment with SBTi methodology requirements.
• A brief end-of-summer presentation to the HR/ESG lead summarizing progress, key findings, and recommendations for continued ESG program development.

Westfall -Technik is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment