Contracts Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

The Contracts Manager is an integral member of the legal team and oversees the complete sales contract life cycle—from creation to maintenance. This role involves close collaboration with Ascend’s commercial, procurement, finance, senior management, and legal teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Agreement Management

• Manage the entire sales agreement process, including:
  • Collecting information and drafting agreements
  • Negotiating terms with clients and counterparties
  • Collaborating with legal counsel
  • Finalizing, approving, and executing agreements

Contract Compliance and Communication

• Ensure contract accuracy and compliance with company policies
• Communicate contract terms and analyze implications for clients, management, staff, and attorneys
• Prepare and negotiate confidentiality agreements to protect Ascend’s interests
• Draft contract-related correspondence, including notices and communications

Record Management and Documentation

• Maintain agreement records, including correspondence, revisions, and related documents
• Ensure contract records are accurate and up-to-date
• Supervise contract storage and ensure all executed agreements are properly tracked and filed
• Ensure the contract repository contains fully executed, approved agreements

Process Improvement and System Management

• Develop and maintain standardized contract templates and terms
• Create, update, and review process workflows and procedures
• Implement and maintain technology tools to enhance legal, sales, and procurement operations
• Update software system templates, requiring in-depth system knowledge and coordination with management
• Implement process improvements and ensure system security, including SSO integration
• Manage contract workflows, user permissions, notifications, and approval tracking
• Oversee notification management for contract expirations, terminations, and renewals

Training and Reporting

• Train, manage, and support a team of Non-Disclosure Agreement negotiators and drafters
• Provide training for new system users, approvers, and administrators
• Generate reports and provide relevant data

TEAM

Reports to: Deputy General Counsel

Peers: Legal Specialist, Compliance Program Manager

EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field with 5 years of relevant professional experience in contract management or a combination of education and experience
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial contracts and non-disclosure agreements
• Proficiency with Ariba, DocuSign, or similar software
• General understanding of business relationships and transactions

SKILLS

• Detail-oriented with strong proofreading and redlining skills
• Ability to explain company policies and positions courteously and clearly
• Capable of working independently while contributing to cross-functional teams
• Proactive, resourceful, and responsive
• Strong collaboration skills to engage with all organizational levels
• Exceptionally organized and detail-focused with a high degree of accuracy
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interpret legal language for non-lawyers
• High sensitivity to confidential information
• Self-motivated, well-organized, and able to multitask while working effectively with others

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.

Skills Summary:

About Us:

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 customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

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.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities ​​for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.

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.