Production Supervisor

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Operations Supervisor has direct supervisory responsibility for Lead Processors and Processors across all four shifts. This position manages work time & schedules, unit performance monitoring, maintenance preparations, and other day to day operational responsibilities.  They are accountable for daily direction, technical training including troubleshooting, building effective teams, developing people and following training systems to ensure that ESSH compliance, operational efficiency, and targeted results are met. 

The Operations Supervisor reports directly to the Unit Manager and will consult and inform the unit manager on matters relating to safety issues and ESSH compliance, continuous improvement, operating reliability, people development, disciplinary matters, equipment issues, operational needs and scheduling requirements. 

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Maintain our right to operate through our Commitment to ZERO injuries, process safety or environmental events
• Overseeing unit operations in support of production goals.
  • Production at or above annual operating plan
  • Product is on specification and on time
• Strong team dynamics promoting operational discipline and teamwork
• Develop individual processors to advance in knowledge and capabilities
• Promote morale and ownership among processors

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSH

• Exhibit a proactive approach to environmental and safety performance goals.
• Establish and maintain processes which ensure that Ascend employees and contractors understand and follow Ascend ESSH procedures, guidelines, and standards.
• Ensure that delegated ESSH audit and investigation recommendations are communicated and completed.
• Participate in walk-throughs and unit safety meetings.
• Partner with the Operations Training Resource to coordinate unit emergency response/preparation and drills.
• Drive housekeeping standards.
• Ensure every shift processor receives required ESSH training to include refresher and critical safety issue training.
• Contribute to HRP/JSAs development and review
• Coordinate with and support ERT staffing within minimum staffing requirements.

OPERATIONS

• Attain basic process knowledge in all unit jobs over a 12-18 month period and demonstrate sustained job knowledge in the following areas as part of on-going development planning:
  • Process hazards and safeguards, including all interlock actions, purposes and classifications
  • Unit operations
  • Equipment requirements
  • Procedures – unit and plant
• Attain a working knowledge of the unit applicable Corporate Guidelines, e.g., material handling guidelines.
• Set staffing expectations and address staffing exceptions for current and upcoming shifts
• Follow Leader Standard Work guidelines to drive performance.
• To drive SIC performance, consult with Specialists and Engineers as needed.
• Ensure ESSH compliance in the unit to include Ascend/CHB policies as well as PSM (Procedure adherence, MOC participation, training plan adherence, housekeeping, etc.)
• Serve as process safety observer (PSO) during critical operational events.
• Collaborate with unit personnel to plan long term downtime needs
• Participate in investigation, cause analysis and corrective action implementation for each significant incident/near miss in J5.
• Review and ensure accuracy of unit procedures.  Submit red-lines as required.  Ensure consistency/ alignment of procedures with plant procedures and policies.
• Approve the daily handheld operator rounds.  Ensure accurate and 100% completion of the handheld rounds.
• Audit the completion of all processor generated logs, records, and forms.

MANAGEMENT, TRAINING AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

• Communicate, maintain and administer procedures, policies, plant direction/results and programs.
• Develop and communicate clearly defined roles, responsibilities, standards, and expectations for direct reports and ensure performance through leadership, coaching, development and effective use of performance feedback processes.
• Coordinate with HR to administer the Ascend Performance Materials corrective action processes, as needed, to ensure processor performance expectations are met.
• Maintain and administer processes that ensure equitable processor and technician resource leveling, overtime allocation, vacation practices and labor cost control.
• Manage hourly and non-exempt payroll approval process.
• Coach and hold processors accountable for daily operational performance.
• Ensure that appropriate resources, necessary tools, and equipment are available for employees to perform their functions.
• Serve as an active member of supervisor networks to develop and share supervisor and leadership best practices with peers.
• Ensure that the training process is followed; hold processors accountable that qualifications are met. Continuously track training progress and quality of training.
• Ensure that the MOC process is followed and generate emergency MOCs as required.
• Ensure Tier 1 shift turnover meetings and individual job area turnovers are completed each shift.
• Ensure daily Tier 2 Unit Morning Meeting is facilitated as designed.
• Serve as Unit representative at daily Tier 3 Site Update Meeting or delegate as needed.
• Coordinate with Unit Manager and other Operations Leads to drive consistency within the unit.
• Lead Ascend to Entitlement culture on shift to include entitlement and breakthrough improvement mindset and culture.

TEAM

• Reports to:  Unit Operations Manager
• Team Members: Processors

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Education/Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of operations experience is highly desired.
• Leadership or supervisory experience is highly desired.
• Fully qualified unit experience is strongly preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Leadership and Technical Skills:

• Must be able to demonstrate, based on past performance, excellent leadership skills and experiences.
• Ability to influence, direct, coach and develop employees and to provide the necessary tools to ensure proper performance and to meet unit and site goals.
• Able to make sound decisions in the absence of clear direction or written guidelines
• Must be able to take charge and champion change in the timeframe set by site and unit standards.
• Knowledge of Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory/compliance issues, ES&H & PSM policies, guidelines and procedures, including ES&H contractor/guest guidelines.
• Working knowledge of Maintenance, Operations, ISO & MOC processes, procedures, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Participation in or leadership of continuous improvement projects (A2E).

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Grounded in Integrity and Commitment to Zero:
  • Set high expectations and clear direction
  • Engage and empower people
  • Drive and deliver performance
  • Lead with agility

Computer Skills:

• MS Word
• MS Excel
• LIMS
• J5
• Aspen Explorer

Communication/Facilitation Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent problem solving, conflict resolution, facilitation and leadership skills.
• Must be able to successfully interface at all levels of the organization including engineers, management, manufacturing, technicians, planners, vendors and contract personnel.

Initiative/Self-Direction:

• Self-initiated learning, highly motivated, task oriented.
• Time management processes and skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Self-initiated corrective actions/follow-through.
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement in all aspects of unit operations, personnel development and personal performance.
  • Continually learn and understand the process.
  • Share information, recommendations, knowledge, and skills.
  • Communicate and learn from mistakes. 

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.