Operations Director

POSITION

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.

The Operations Director partners with the site leadership team to drive all aspects of plant operations, ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Leading approximately 200 team members, this role drives alignment, engagement, and continuous improvement across the facility. It offers the opportunity to lead transformational change, shape long-term success, and make a meaningful impact in a dynamic, high-performance environment.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Safety & Culture: Foster an inclusive culture that prioritizes safety, engagement, quality, productivity, and cost management.
• Strategic Execution: Develop and implement a multi-year strategic operating plan informed by a comprehensive site assessment.
• Talent Development: Build and grow a high-performing operations team capable of delivering short- and long-term business objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, partnering with the Sr. Site Director and leadership to resolve constraints, drive profitability, and advance long-term strategic plans.
• Champion and influence organizational values, ensuring effective implementation of change management initiatives.
• Develop and execute a plan to improve operational discipline, embedding structured processes that enhance reliability and performance.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee manufacturing operations, ensuring consistent performance in production, quality, and efficiency.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles to drive continuous improvement, reduce waste, and optimize energy usage.
• Establish and align teams to KPIs and performance targets, ensuring clear communication of business direction and plant initiatives.
• Direct maintenance efforts to improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and reliability of production assets.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to regulatory and corporate requirements, including ESSH core practices, environmental compliance, and management system standards.
• Drive superior safety and environmental performance, leveraging both lagging and leading indicators.
• Lead quality initiatives to meet or exceed internal and customer quality expectations.

Financial & Business Performance

• Optimize manufacturing cost drivers, ensuring budgeted and forecasted cost targets are met through continuous improvement actions.
• Deliver on Annual Operating Plan commitments, collaborating with supply chain and finance teams to manage operational impact.

TEAM

• Reports To: Site Director (member of the site leadership team)
• Direct Reports: Production Managers and Operations Specialist

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering or Fibers Engineering
• 15+ years of manufacturing experience
• 8+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong background in chemical processing fundamentals
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Experience as a Plant Manager or leading operations in a multi-unit facility is a plus

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to drive engagement and performance
• Results-driven mindset with the ability to work independently in a high-performance environment
• Thorough knowledge of Six Sigma and lean manufacturing principles
• Strong understanding of ESSH regulations and compliance requirements
• Financial acumen, with expertise in cost accounting and budget management
• Proven change agent, capable of driving transformation in complex environments
• Ability to develop strong relationships across all levels of the organization
• Excellent communication, coaching, and facilitation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, applying scientific principles and structured problem-solving methods

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.