Shift Supervisor

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 five manufacturing facilities in the United States. 

The primary purpose of the Shift Supervisor is to serve as the people leader and technical expert for Ascend’s Manufacturing Unit at the Decatur, Al facility. This role will have accountability to drive the site’s productivity to meet production targets in a safe manner that achieves quality excellence.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Lead a safe operations area utilizing Absolute Zero safety principles.
• Analyze opportunities and develop plans to achieve maximum possible improvements (Entitlement) in safety, quality, and operating performance.
• Drive operational implementation of A2E.
• Meet or exceed AOP production targets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates leadership in driving Ascend’s zero-incident safety culture through safe work practices and operator engagement.
• Leads and is responsible for all aspects of shift operations.
• Leads accountable for safety and environmental performance of area.
• Drives responsibility for overall process quality which includes tracking, monitoring and communicating status of unit KPIs, daily samples analysis and trends.
• Assures 5-Why analysis is conducted when production and quality targets are missed.
• Conducts regular reviews of results with his/her team to include a discussion of performance against these goals and opportunities to improve.
• Monitors operating conditions and ensures appropriate resources, support, and direction are available to ensure process, equipment, and material optimization.
• Performs Technical Resource function by following jobs in the area and conducting permit inspections and audits.
• Reviews and ensure accuracy of unit procedures.  Ensure consistency/alignment of procedures with plant procedures and policies.
• Monitors daily sample analyses and trends – direct process changes accordingly to ensure quality operation of the unit.  Accuracy and completeness of processor generated logs, records, and forms needs to be tracked daily.
• Provides leadership to ensure the implementation of assigned action items: KMS, safety reviews, audits, housekeeping inspections and other sources as required.
• Ensures that appropriate resources, necessary tools, and equipment are available for employees to perform their functions.
• Leads efficient and effective shift turnovers.
• Establishes, maintains and administers processes that ensure equitable processor and technician resource leveling, overtime allocation, vacation practices and labor cost control. Manages non-exempt payroll approval process.
• Develops and communicates clearly defined roles, responsibilities, standards, and expectations for direct reports and ensures performance through leadership, coaching, development and effective use of performance feedback processes.
• Authorities to recommend for hire or termination, issue corrective action and manage employee performance. 

Leads in developing and maintaining a healthy pipeline of A2E projects and initiatives by ensuring that there is robust list of projects to deliver on Safety, Quality and Productivity goals.

TEAM

• Production Manager
• Member of the Manufacturing organization working closely with all levels in Process Technology, Project Engineering, and Process Engineering

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Chemical and/or Nylon Manufacturing with 2 years in leadership preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Chemical and/or Nylon processing fundamentals
• Training in Six Sigma and/or Lean Manufacturing processes fundamentals

DESIRED CERTIFICATION

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or significant experience in a Chemical or Plastics manufacturing environment
• Six Sigma and/or Lean Manufacturing processes desired

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Zero safety incident focus
• Proactive leadership and team-building skills with the ability to work effectively throughout the organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Total Quality focus
• Problem solving, conflict resolution, facilitation, and prioritizing skills.
• A strong bias to “act on facts” and “data driven” logic to develop creative solutions.
• Strong sense of ownership and a drive to improve existing systems and processes.
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills with excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent computer skills are required including solid proficiency in MS Office
• Demonstrated and strong root cause analytical and corrective action skills are a plus.
• Strong technical and operational background.
• Knowledge of quality systems (ISO:9001) and requirements – able to ensure consistency of operations within the established quality system guidelines.

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.