Production 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.

Responsibilities for the Production Manager role includes providing daily direction, technical training including troubleshooting, effective team building, people development, work process development to meet targets in ESSH performance and compliance, operational efficiency, and production. They are accountable for daily direction, technical training including troubleshooting, building effective teams, developing people and following training systems to ensure that safety and ESSH compliance, operational efficiency, and targeted results are met.   

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Maintain our right to operate through our Commitment to ZERO injuries, process safety or environmental event
• Overseeing unit operations in support of production plans
• Production at or above annual operating plan 
• Product is on specification and on time 
• Develop individual processors to advance in knowledge and capabilities 
• Create a culture of employee engagement, teamwork, ownership, trust, creativity, innovation and growth 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Leads an Ascend manufacturing team with accountability for the following:

• Accountable for providing the technical and operational leadership necessary to operate and optimize the manufacturing unit safely, reliably, and efficiently while complying with all applicable regulations.
• Provide leadership and people development, set priorities, establish high expectations, drive results, engage employees, and effectively measure and manage operating performance in the areas of ESSH, Reliability, Customer Satisfaction, and Productivity
• Drive a proactive, learning, productive, and performance-driven work culture that is aligned to meet key business objectives.
• Drive consistency through visible leadership, developing, and coaching the manufacturing engineers, production specialists, and unit shift leaders, holding accountability to their responsibilities.
• Owner of Unit Management Operating System (MOS). Drive unit performance through effective use of meetings, KPIs and resolution of variances.
• Champion and implement improvement projects and processes that support key business objectives.
• Own unit compliance with PSM and Environmental regulations.
• Conduct and participate in ESSH audits and address corrective actions for ESSH recommendations.
• Manage production rates and operating conditions without sacrificing safety or product quality.
• Develop the annual operating plan and budget, considering unit cost analysis, and productivity improvement.
• Provide manufacturing updates/costs reviews to the business team.
• Implement and lead Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and ISO management improvement efforts.
• Support the capital management process.
• Coordinate and collaborate across the site with customers and support units/departments.

TEAM

• Reports to:  Operations Director 
• Team Members: Unit Team Members and OLT 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 

• BS in Chemical Engineering (preferred) or Mechanical Engineering 
• 5-10 yrs experience in a manufacturing environment  
• Minimum of 4 years in a leadership role
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of environmental safety and health policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations including Process Safety Management 
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills for a fast-paced, dynamic environment 
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Excellent coaching and facilitation skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse team environment through all levels of the organization 
• Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing knowledge and experience 

Preferred/Desired Skills: 

• Demonstrated experience in Root Cause Failure Analysis 
• Yellow Belt or higher certifications

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.