Site Process Safety Deployment Leader

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 Site Process Safety Leader will lead process safety program deployment within the site through partnership with the ESSH and manufacturing teams.  This role will facilitate a process to ensure process safety scenarios are identified and that effective controls are in place to prevent or mitigate these scenarios.  In order to effectively facilitate this process, this role will frequently interact across all levels of the organization.  This position will also work with the corporate process safety to develop and improve process safety programs. 

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Implement measurement and metrics programs that include site leader engagement and understanding of how to use these metrics to effectively prioritize site process safety initiatives.

• Through deployment and evaluation, drive improved understanding and management of process safety risk.

• Initiate process safety competency development for PSM program owners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead process safety program deployment into operating units, building knowledge and understanding to achieve effective and sustainable process safety performance.

• Holds the site accountable for PSM and drives our PSM behavior.

• In partnership with site leadership teams, ensure appropriate prioritization and timely completion of process safety action items

• Develop site and/or unit program owners for the process safety programs.

• Develop and implement strategies to reduce the site risk profile (risk-based approach).

• Coordinate process safety training at the site.

• Lead site deployment of any new regulatory or company requirements, 

• Ensure the site has elements in place to comply with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA Risk Management Plan (RMP) rules.

• Participate in process safety audits and investigations.

• Through engagement with site teams, including front line operations and maintenance teams, seek opportunities to improve identification of process safety scenarios and ensure effective controls are in place to prevent or mitigate these scenarios.

• Ensure measurement and metrics programs are in place and that site leaders are engaged on how to use these metrics to effectively prioritize site process safety initiatives.  This includes maintenance of a process safety scorecard.

• As a member of the company process safety core team, provide input on new or improved process safety programs.

• Partner with operations and reliability to ensure real time process safety risks are understood and mitigated

• Supplement facilitations of Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) studies as needed to supplement site requirements.

TEAM

• Reports to: Sr. PSM Manager

• Team Members: CHB PHA Facilitator & CHB ESSH Leader

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering (chemical or mechanical engineering preferred)

• 5+ years of experience in risk-based process safety approach as identified by the CCPS and risk management setting, such as risk-based process safety or other leadership role where risk identification and management is a fundamental job function

• Leadership skillset and strong communication skills, preferably some level of formal team leadership experience (with direct/indirect reports);

• Detail-oriented and demonstrates a high level of engineering curiosity that is matched with technical competency and humility.

• Ability to read and understand Process and Instrument Diagrams

• Ability to achieve results through others

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational and planning skills, facilitation skills and computer skills

• Flexible, analytical and detailed oriented

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE

• PSM Program Deployment and Development

• Leadership of incident investigation teams

• Facilitation of Process Hazard Analysis and Layers of Protection Analysis

• experience in an operations/production role to complement (inform) their PSM role

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. 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.