The posting
COMPANY 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.
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 Operations Manufacturing Engineer is to provide engineering support to operate the unit safely, reliably, and to optimize the process by driving operational entitlement through the use of advanced optimization methods and identification of ideas to drive step-change technology improvements. The Operations Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for unit operating performance to include production, raw material usage, energy usage, quality, daily performance tracking, troubleshooting and will drive execution of A2E projects.
TARGETED OUTCOMES
- Drive unit performance to operational entitlement with respect to yields, usages, reliability, and quality
- Achieve annual operating productivity targets by maintaining a unit performance tracking program
- Maintain accurate accounting of all unit production losses and drive actions to correct
- Achieve measurable improvements in unit performance aligned to business financial objectives to include raw material usage, energy usage, reliability, capacity, and quality
- Position papers developed and maintained on market position in industry to include benchmarking studies of raw material and energy usages, catalyst performance, reliability, and quality
- Well-defined productivity plans (current year +1) and pipelines (5 years) for respective unit(s)
- Develop and maintain dynamic operational entitlement models in order to understand best performance for any given set of conditions (production demand, catalyst age, etc.)
- Successfully operationalize technology projects
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
40% AREA SUPPORT
- Monitor unit performance on a weekly and monthly basis by tracking key process indicators (KPI’s) and key operating parameters (KOP’s); setting targets for short interval controls (SIC’s)
- Actively support the site and area safety programs via participation (or leadership) in PHA, LOPA, MOC, incident investigations, resolution of action items, and other activities to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance. Facilitate MOCs originating from unit needs
- Update and maintain unit process safety information
- Troubleshoot and optimize of the process to address gaps identified through performance monitoring
- Work with reliability to provide technical support for RCA’s
- Assist in delivering technical training to operators
- Own the Consequences of Deviation procedures
- Execute annual productivity plans
- Participate on HCN team
40% UNIT OPTIMIZATION
- Evaluate performance using the A2E (DMAIC) process and statistical tools to make process improvements
- Use entitlement models to challenge and improve unit performance
- Develop unit production expertise, continuously building a body of technical knowledge around unit operations and processes
- Deliver tools and processes to enhance performance tracking and drive improvements
- Assist with production planning, tracking, and closing
20% TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT
- Develop high-level project scopes (option and benefit analysis) for unit related improvement projects
- Represent the unit for all technology (R&D) projects
- Facilitate idea management and vetting for unit improvement ideas - Generate innovative ideas for process improvements and work with Technology, Process Engineering, and Project Engineering to screen such ideas.
- Interface with specialists to: Optimize the current process using operational entitlement models Implement new technology projects Implement advanced performance tracking tools
- Interface with process engineering to: Initiate projects to improve the process Escalate technical issues which require advanced modelling
- Accounting and categorization of daily production losses
- Reports to: Unit Operations Manager
- Team Members: Unit Staff
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- Education - BS in Engineering preferably Chemical or Mechanical
- 0-3 years of chemical industry experience
- Process optimization background
- Experience troubleshooting in a plant environment
DESIRED CERTIFICATION
- Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) trained, certification preferred
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Systems - ASPEN products, heat transfer, hydraulics, etc.
- Knowledge of Process Safety Management is essential
- Strong technical and analytical skills with the ability to innovate and solve complex problems
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with cross-functional teams
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Ability to provide off-hours plant support is essential
- Ability to perform in a highly dynamic work environment
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives and manage projects from beginning to successful completion
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.
About Us:
Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics focused on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. We are a fully integrated material solutions provider with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.
Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances, and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and the success of our customers and our communities.
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: OARS.
Our OARS values shape how we work, lead, and grow together. We take ownership, stay accountable, operate reliably, and support one another to deliver results safely and consistently. Through clear expectations, empowered decision-making, intentional communication, and continuous feedback, we create a culture built on action, visibility, and shared success.
Together, OARS gives us a shared language and clear direction. These values guide our decisions, shape priorities and set expectations as we move forward – aligned, focused and committed to creating performance materials that improve lives today and inspire a better tomorrow.
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.
