Program 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.

Ascend Performance Materials is expanding our Specialty Chemicals portfolio to accelerate the launch of several breakthrough products over the next several years. The group also develops new products from our core process technologies and provides flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers.

Ascend has an immediate opening for a Program Manager role in its Specialty Chemicals Engineering organization at the Chocolate Bayou, TX facility. As a key member of our Specialty Chemicals Engineering team, the Program Manager works as a liaison between Ascend’s business leaders, Manufacturing Engineers, and Operations group at the site to ensure on-time and in-spec production of Specialty Chemicals products.  A secondary responsibility will be to lead new process and new product development for both near-term and long-term growth opportunities within the Specialty Chemicals product portfolio. This position offers a challenging environment with opportunities for growth in technical experience and personal development.

TARGETED OUTCOMES:

• Work collaboratively with Site Leadership, the Manufacturing organization, production engineering, process engineering, support functions, and Specialty Chemical business leaders to ensure that the site achieves or surpasses the business Annual Operating Plans for the specialty chemical sector.
• Identify and develop process solutions which meet the performance and needs of the business.
• Utilize Six Sigma and Operational Excellence principles to drive process to entitlement performance in the areas of capacity, yields, energy, safety, quality, and sustainability.
• Develop creative process designs for new specialty chemicals business with phased capital approaches.
• Apply approved design practices, work processes, and design tools to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with project sponsor, cross-functional teams, and assigned project managers to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new initiatives.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineers, Business Managers, and Operations to optimize the economic performance of the Specialty Chemicals existing product portfolio.
• Work with Operations, Maintenance, and Reliability professionals to improve the reliability of the process unit(s) and to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness.
• Actively supports the site & area safety programs via participation (or leadership) in Process Hazard Analysis, Management of Change, and Root Cause Failure Analysis incident investigations, resolution of action items, and other activities to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the unit expert and provides technical counsel and troubleshooting assistance to Manufacturing Engineers, Operations, or customers as needed to deliver planned performance.
• Work with the Manufacturing Engineers and Operations to maintain all process documentation.
• Provide process design information for small capital and/or expense projects.
• Generate innovative ideas for process improvements and drives these ideas by working with cross-functional teams such as Technology, Process Engineering, and Project Engineering to screen such ideas.
• Lead plant trials to validate the scale-up of new technologies, as well as to optimize processing conditions within operations.
   

TEAM

• Reports to: Process Technology and Engineering Director

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Advanced degree considered a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of combined experience in production engineering, process engineering and program management within the chemicals/petrochemical industry.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of computer systems and software related to process control and optimization.
• At a minimum, candidate should have experience with Aspen suite of software’s (HYSYS), Excel spreadsheet functions with macros; JMP, SAS, or Minitab, or a similar statistical analysis program; and data collection programs.
• Strong technical and analytical skills with the ability to innovate and creatively solve complex problems.
• Exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills. Ability to influence people at all levels.
• Previous experience with capital project implementation highly desired.
• Proven technical troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and can thrive in a team-based environment.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong business relationships.
• Proficient in the process design of equipment including pressure vessels, distillation columns, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, control valves, atmospheric tanks, solids separation equipment, pressure relief devices, etc.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Specialty chemicals process design – distillation columns, crystallization, high pressure hydrogenation reactors, solids separation, centrifuges.
• Specific experience with Aspen Plus, Aspen EDR and AFT Software (Fathom & Arrow).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work streams and competing priorities.
• Experience using Six-Sigma tools.
• Previous manufacturing experience and closure of PHA items.
• Process design of projects $500k - $100M
• Expertise and industry subject matter expert – industry standards committees, AIChE, new process/product development, etc.
• PE license.

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.