Sr. Production Specialist

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.

The primary objectives of the Production Specialists are to run the unit safely reliably and efficiently and be a subject matter expert for the area operators. The Production Specialist is responsible for unit operating performance to include production overhaul tracking energy usage quality daily performance tracking troubleshooting operations shutdown planning and basic unit optimization. The Production Specialist adds direct value to the business by driving real-time unit performance in these areas.

Qualified candidates must be able to work 40 hours per week on day shift and have the ability to answer phone calls outside of normal working hours.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Ensure all production activities are conducted in a safe responsible and environmentally sound manner in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Comply with federal state and local regulations and operating permits.
• 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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create Area Operating Plan and ensure understanding of production targets
• Monitor unit performance by tracking key process indicators (KPIs) and key operating parameters (KOPs)
• Maintenance of performance tracking tools to include set point or target changes
• Basic troubleshooting and optimization of the process to address gaps identified through daily performance monitoring
• Accounting and categorization of daily production losses
• Communicate area performance / issues with control room (SPC charts operating envelope etc)

• Identify and take necessary action to address and communicate all ESSH issues to appropriate parties.
  • Lead and/or participate in Job Safety Analyses for unusual operations or maintenance activities
  • Participate in PHAs.
  • Leadparticipate in and/or review incident investigations; identify and implement corrective actions.

• Comply with all procedures; participate in development and revision of unit procedures.
• Interface with FLLs and area leads to:
  • Perform area walk-throughs daily (screener quench flow specialty cleanout checks etc)
  • Conduct 5S/Housekeeping Audits
  • Manage Area Hazard Recognition Program
  • Execute annual productivity plans
  • Manage 5Why/RCA Program
  • Implement assigned actionitems from J5 and audits

• Interface with manufacturing or production engineering to:
  • Initiate projects to improve the process
  • Escalate technical issues which require advanced modelling
  • Escalate technical issues which are too complex to handle within the unit

• Maintenance Coordination and Compliance
  • Ensure that staffing requirements are identified
  • Work with the Ops Coordinators to develop maintenance work and to communicate daily maintenance work and operational requirements to complete
  • Communicate production activities with maintenance plans to ensure equipment is available and ready for maintenance when scheduled.
  • Take a leadership role in overhaul activities including participation in scope and schedule development and reviewing shutdown job plans.
  • Enter Purchase Requisitions as needed
  • Audit of emergency jobs as needed
  • Act as CMR for Ops related activities as needed

• Interface with the Unit Trainer
  • Coordinate with UTC on updating training material and SOPs
  • Support training and participate in qualification of Processors

• Quality Assurance
  • Review daily sample analyses and trends in the Daily Tier II and Tier III Morning Meetings and direct process changes accordingly.
  • Monitor process for quality deviations
  • Ensure action plans for deviations are created
  • Communicate quality impacts to Production Manager and Scheduler
  • Develop mitigation plans as necessary
  • Report Quality issues/metrics

• Area Improvements
  • Ensure improvement projects are being implemented in the area
  • Pursue a yellow belt and/or green belt A2E project
  • Report monthly status of projects
  • Provide project suggestions based on findings from 5Y/RCA Housekeeping Walkthroughs and OEE reviews
  • Ensure celebration of completed efforts

TEAM

• Reports to: Operations Manager
• Team Members: Area Front Line Leaders Engineers Productions Specialists and Area Processors

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 5 years minimum manufacturing experience in Nylon
• Strong knowledge of Process Safety Management is essential

• Strong technical and analytical skills with the ability to innovate and solve complex problems
• Willingness to provide after-hours support
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Strong communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to perform in a highly dynamic work environment

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Completed both casting floor and control room classroom training.
• Must be at a minimum a fully qualified H4 operator in the assigned area with strong interest in and commitment to becoming a subject matter expert.
• Must have demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the area process with an extensive understanding of the unit operations involved.
• Strong communication (both verbal and written) and organization skills are key requirements for this job.

• Must have demonstrated strong support for the area and site safety programs.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills.

• Sound mechanical aptitude and problem solving/trouble shooting skills.
• Able to develop and maintain rapport with operators and area supervision.
• Resourceful: able to seek out and acquire new knowledge or subject material.
• A willingness to use trainee feedback experience from other area training coordinators or outside consultants to enhance the operator training program in Area.
• Understand and utilize EXCEL SAP IP 21Provoxand Delta V systems as needed to meet the needs of the area.

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 waysall within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 66 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 doesnt 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. Youll 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 doesnt 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 dont accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments sites and geography. This means you wont 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.