Senior Product and Process Development Chemist

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Product and Process Development Chemist will focus on leading projects to develop new products and processes for growth opportunities within the Ascend product portfolio. This role also supports manufacturing at our plant sites.  The position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth in technical experience and personal development. 

TARGETED OUTCOMES

New product innovation and application development:  Lead new product and application development projects from conception to piloting and commercial trials.  Effectively manage project teams and resources to complete project Milestones and Deliverables, advancing projects through key decision points.  Identify new growth opportunities and shape ideas into new product or process innovation projects.  Contribute technical, application, and market expertise to the Chemicals business innovation strategy and project pipeline.

Efficient execution of Stage Gate Programs: Successfully work with cross functional project teams to implement “game changing” improvements in the plant or outside tolling facility.  These improvements are typically related to new product or process development enabling growth opportunities at the Pensacola site. This role will also contribute process chemistry related improvements tested at bench scale or new strategies to provide additional value to existing plant operations. 

Functional collaboration: Serve as the interface for technical and engineering staff to drive operational and innovation goals.   Also serve as interface between Process Technology and Process Engineering groups to scale up ideas and complete piloting activities.   Collaborate with Product Managers and Functional Stakeholders to develop project strategy and advance projects.  Communicate effectively to across the organization, including with Business Leadership and key Functional Stakeholders.  Collaborate with technical staff at other Ascend sites to efficiently complete projects. Serve as key interface for laboratory activities. Communicate effectively on updates and timelines. 

Team culture: Participate in a culture of ownership of all aspects of laboratory and research operations to include safety, innovation, reliability, scale up, cost control, and overall scientific discipline.  Lead project teams of laboratory chemists and technologists in the execution of project work.  Mentor and enable laboratory chemists and technologists to facilitate prioritization of laboratory work and efficient completion of project deliverables.

People development: Learn quickly from leadership and mentor employees to grow in capability and performance in order to drive value for our company as well as our employees.  Participate on small teams to effectively complete fast-moving projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead new product, process and application development efforts and teams enabling near term growth for the Chemicals business.

• Design, execution, and documentation of research projects from conception through piloting and product commercialization.  Will also assist the Process Engineering group in scale up and commercial efforts. 
• Responsible for designing and documenting bench and pilot-scale experimental testing to aid in research work.
• Will mentor and enable laboratory chemists and technologists to facilitate prioritization of laboratory work and efficient completion of project deliverables.
• Identify new growth opportunities and shape ideas into new product or process innovation projects
• Responsible for collaborating with Product Managers and Functional Stakeholders to develop project strategy and advance projects to decision points.
• Act as a primary interface between internal and external customers and suppliers as well as outside research labs and institutions related to process chemistry initiatives. 
• Assist the manufacturing organization in developing and maintaining process chemistry understanding.
• Excellent verbal communication and documentation skills.  Prepare and deliver presentations and written reports to communicate project status and results across all levels of the technical and business organizations.
• Work with Quality Control group in developing analytical methods for new products and processes.

REPORTS TO

Chemicals Technology Director

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. in Chemistry with strong emphasis in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, industrial and process chemistry with 10 years of experience in the chemicals industry.
• 5 years experience in maintaining and troubleshooting existing manufacturing processes.
• Experience developing and commercializing new products for application in one or more of the following market segments:  Oil & Gas, Paints & Coatings, Adhesives, Agriculture, Home Care, I&I Cleaning, Personal Care, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals.
• 5 years leading technical project teams in formal project management systems.
• Experience with large scale catalytic processes such as hydrogenation and/or oxidation of organic compounds, and polymerization reactions is required.  
• Strong preference for hands on experience with product composition analysis and purification techniques and related chemistry with safety in an industrial setting.
• Prior experience with carboxylic acids, amines, aldehydes, organic nitriles, chelants, and esters is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong grasp of organic, physical, and analytical chemistry and measurement techniques.
• Ability to take ideas from concept to implementation with a strong emphasis on applications, scale up, and piloting, and commercial trials.
• Able to provide technical leadership and mentoring to laboratory chemists and technologists to facilitate prioritization of laboratory work, efficient completion of project deliverables, and capability growth within team.
• Ability to identify new growth opportunities and conceptualize ideas into formal projects.
• Capable of working independently with third-party institutions and vendors as needed for product and process chemistry initiatives. 
• Ability to work and function efficiently with other lab and manufacturing unit personnel in a team environment.
• Effective communications, strong analytical and technical skills, efficient organization skills, and a keen interest for problem solving and troubleshooting.
• Solid knowledge of software and computer systems.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong ability to communicate, organize/interpret, present data, and influence others at all levels of the organization.
• Self-starter with high bias for action and delivery of results aligned to business and operational performance.
• Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong ability to engage resources and obtain buy-in of key stakeholders to advance project work.
• Demonstrate expertise for application of scientific principles, theory and experimental design to solve novel experimental needs across numerous disciplines (e.g. design of experiment).
• Formal project management training is a plus.

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.