Preferred Fiber & Material Matrix-Intern
Who we are: Textile Exchange is a global non-profit working to help the fashion and textile industry transform fiber and material production by working with a robust membership of brands, retailers and suppliers to accelerate the use of preferred fibers across the global textile industry.
What we do: In short, we build a community that can collectively accomplish what no individual or company can do alone. We develop, manage, and promote a suite of leading industry standards, as well as collect and publish critical industry data and insights that enable brands and retailers to measure, manage, and track their use of preferred fiber and materials.
How we do it: With a robust membership representing leading brands, retailers, and suppliers, Textile Exchange is positively impacting the climate through accelerating the use of preferred fibers across the global textile industry.
Climate+: With our new Climate+ strategy, Textile Exchange is the driving force for urgent climate action on textile fiber and materials with a goal of 45% reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030. By benchmarking the industry and providing actionable tools for improvement, Textile Exchange is driving a race to the top.
Working at Textile Exchange: We work remotely with a team located in 20+ countries. Diverse group of advocates and activists committed to harnessing the strengths of the global textile industry to accelerate change toward climate and other key environmental goals. We work collaboratively on important environmental issues around the world by working and interacting with farming groups, brands, retailers, and environmental experts in the textile and fashion industries around the world. We offer an opportunity to join a cutting-edge global environmental nonprofit and to help strengthen the impact of our organization. Each TEam member is offered a competitive compensation package with paid time off, yearly bonus, opportunities for continuing education, and more.
About the Project
The PFM Matrix is an industry tool developed to help brands review fibers across a holistic set of impact areas using qualitative and quantitative data sources. Within any given fiber category such as cotton, different fiber programs provide different strengths and advantages depending on the lens through which you view them. The PFMM builds upon LCA data to support users in considering a wide range of social and environmental impacts including biodiversity, community development, soil health, and animal welfare.
Textile Exchange has developed out the tool's MVP and will be spending the next few months building out additional indicators and improving the quality/consistency of the data that feeds the tool. We are looking for support primarily on research, with some opportunities to contribute to writing/communications, assessment modelling, and strategy depending on someone's skillsets.
The Role
Throughout the placement the intern will work with the PFM Matrix Manager and the larger Textile Exchange team to bring the PFMM to launch, helping bring to light a much awaiting industry resource, and engaging with leading industry brands and fiber programs. The main responsibility of the intern will be to conduct and ensure the quality of data supporting the tool is robust and digestible. Other components of the internship could include supporting on stakeholder engagement, improving data systems, building frameworks to improve model objectivity, data entry, communications, and strategic road mapping.
Placement Details
- Start date: as soon as possible
- Duration: Now – October
- Some flexibility depending on fit, availability etc.
- For example, if through end of semester is preferred or if hours need to shift down during the semester.
- Full time preferred, part time optional
- Open to current undergraduate or graduate students and recent graduates
- Compensation: Paid, hourly. Standard rate is $15hr.
- Remote, flexible hours
Experience and Qualifications:
- Aptitude for systems thinking and creative problem solving.
- Ability to source and distil academic research for high quality peer-reviewed evidence.
- Fluency in Excel with experience in advanced modelling and analytics functions preferred.
· Strong knowledge of raw fiber production processes and growing practices.
· Fiber specific knowledge preferred, but general raw material background in other sectors spanning agriculture and manufacturing possible.
- Deep understanding of environmental issues in supply chains spanning climate, water, toxicity, waste, land use, and soil health.
- Interest and experience in fashion preferred.
- Well organized and self-directed.
- Degree in Textiles, Apparel Design, Sustainable Business, or Environmental Studies.
Objectives (to be refined with final candidate)
· Support completion of research for all outcomes and practice-based claims in the tool.
· Work with project management and internal experts to determine and execute on triangulated research methods.
· Cite and document all sources.
· Distil research findings into concise but clear summaries to integrate into tool copy.
· Review tool copy for accuracy of interpretation with research findings.
· Update data excels and website tool with new research.
· Support on stakeholder engagement calls through note taking, presentation preparation, correspondence, scheduling etc.
· Participate in team meetings to advance new indicator creation and other methodology updates.
· Support on other tool development functions as relevant to unique skillsets such as copywriting, data analytics, etc.
To Apply:
Email Matrix@textileexchange.org with your resume and cover letter.
We are taking applications on a rolling basis and plan to fill the position as soon as possible. Prompt outreach is encouraged.
Applicants are asked to include hourly and immediate availability details in their outreach.
Textile Exchange is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status