Manufacturing Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW
Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world-scale integrated manufacturing facilities, we are able to develop new products from our core technologies and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of our customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution with four manufacturing facilities in the United States.
The Operations Manufacturing Specialist is responsible for optimization of production and product quality. The role is the operational expert and provides support to all technical, ESH and maintenance activities to the assigned area.
TARGETED OUTCOMES
Coordinate unit operations activities to achieve the unit’s OEE, quality, and maintenance budget targets.
Work closely with Turnaround group and Maintenance and Operations personnel to ensure shutdown is executed safely, completely, and within budget.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure all production activities are conducted in a safe, responsible and environmentally sound manner in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Comply with federal, state, and local regulations and operating permits.
Identify and take necessary action to address and communicate all ESSH issues to appropriate parties.
Comply with all procedures; participate in development and revision of unit procedures.
Generate, review, implement and close changes via the MOC process.
Take a leadership role in shutdown activities, including participation in scope and schedule development and reviewing shutdown job plans.
Develop and maintain production requirements and lockout/blind out lists for maintenance jobs.
Analyze handheld data for successive exceptions and resolve.
Communicate production activities with maintenance plans to ensure equipment is available and ready for maintenance when scheduled.
Coordinate and communicate activities with other units, as necessary.
Implement assigned action items from J5, ESSH and housekeeping audits, IAT.
Lead and/or participate in Job Safety Analyses for unusual operations or maintenance activities
Lead or participate in audits and inspections.
Participate in PHAs.
Lead, participate in and/or review incident investigations; identify and implement corrective actions.
Provide technical input and support to projects and plant tests.
Review daily sample analyses and trends in the Daily Unit Morning Meeting and direct process changes accordingly.
Support training and participate in qualification of Processors and PSM qualification where necessary within unit.
Develop expert knowledge within area of responsibility of:
Unit operations
Process hazards and safeguards, including all interlock actions, purposes and classifications
Equipment
Procedures– unit and plant
Corporate Guidelines, i.e. HHM Guidelines
Develop working knowledge of:
Instrumentation and controls, including Delta V, SIS, Allen Bradley, etc.
Engineering Standards
Piping specs
Provide technical resources for off-hours, as needed.
Provide timely and effective communication, i.e., Night Letter, emails, face-to-face, etc.
Work effectively with and seek support from plant resources.
Attend and participate in daily unit MOS and other meetings.
Support hurricane and emergency preparedness and response per ICP.
TEAM
Reports to: Operations Unit Manager
Team Members: Unit Staff
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
Three (5) years of Processor and operations experience in a chemical plant
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
Alkylation experience
REQUIRED SKILLS
Technical Skills:
Working experience and knowledge of unit operations.
Working knowledge of ESSH guidelines and regulatory/compliance issues.
Working experience with unit control systems
Working knowledge of MOC process
Past participation in walkthroughs
Troubleshooting Skills:
Good process troubleshooting/problem solving skills
Informal troubleshooting training/experiences
Computer Skills:
Window-based programs: Email, MS Word, MS Excel, LIMS, KMS, SAP
Communication/Facilitation Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Well-developed facilitation skills
Strong leadership and teamwork skills
Initiative/Self-Direction:
Self-initiated learning
Time management processes and skills
Self-initiated corrective actions/follow-through
Core Competencies and Behaviors:
Gets Results: Consistently meets commitments to the business and to others. Quickly translate business requirements into actions by defining "who does what by when" to ensure plans are executed
Teamwork and Leadership: Effective collaboration. A confident, mature person with the ability to connect, inspire and influence others without direct reporting relationships. Persistent, confident, and persuasive
Communication: Effective communicator to all levels in the organization.
Personal Attributes:
Results oriented and customer focused
Decision Making: Willing to seek input for key decisions along with the ability to prioritize and make decisions.
Detailed Orientation: Has exceptional attention to detail along with the ability to develop procedures and standard methods
Leadership: Strong influential leader who is aggressive, persistent, and self-confident and is willing and able to insert themselves into conversations without being invited formally
Multitasking Ability: Adaptable, flexible, and effective in handling multiple priorities simultaneously
At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.
About Us:
Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics focused on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. We are a fully integrated material solutions provider with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.
Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances, and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and the success of our customers and our communities.
Why work at Ascend?
Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values: OARS.
Our OARS values shape how we work, lead, and grow together. We take ownership, stay accountable, operate reliably, and support one another to deliver results safely and consistently. Through clear expectations, empowered decision-making, intentional communication, and continuous feedback, we create a culture built on action, visibility, and shared success.
Together, OARS gives us a shared language and clear direction. These values guide our decisions, shape priorities and set expectations as we move forward – aligned, focused and committed to creating performance materials that improve lives today and inspire a better tomorrow.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.