Chemical Operator

Ascend Performance Materials; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials in Decatur, Alabama seeks a Chemical Operator to support manufacturing field operations, control system tasks, and chemical loading/unloading. You will work with operations, maintenance, leadership and engineering to meet safety, production and cost goals.

Responsibilities include applying safe work practices, preparing equipment for turnarounds, optimizing cost performance, resolving production deviations and contributing to Lean/Six Sigma initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum Associate Degree OR Achieve 4+ in Locating/Information/Applied Technology Work Keys.
• Experience in pipeline chemical or similar manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to work in a diverse team and perform safety-critical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Apply documented processes to safely operate and troubleshoot chemical processes.
• Safely perform safe work practices (LOTO, Confined Space, BIP, Hot Work, JSA).
• Prepare process equipment for maintenance turnarounds.
• Optimize cost performance within the operating unit.
• Analyze cost deviations and resolve production issues.
• Develop into a process expert and share knowledge with others.
• Meet production goals and address deviations.
• Communicate unit performance and issues to teams and management.
• Support housekeeping, site appearance and hazard recognition.
• Investigate near misses, spills, incidents and customer complaints.

Skills

Chemical plant operations

Lean/Six Sigma

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Respirator fit test

Physical stamina

Decision making

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Chemical Operator role is responsible for Manufacturing field operations, Distributed Control System (Board) operations, & or Chemical Loading/Unloading operations. The Chemical Operator will interact with operations, maintenance, leadership, and engineering to ensure that safety, production, and cost goals are achieved.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Apply documented processes to safely operate and troubleshoot chemical processes.
• Apply safe work practices (LOTO, Confined Space, BIP, Hot Work, Job Safety Analysis, etc.) to ensure safe operations during both routine and non-routine work.
• Safely prepare process equipment for maintenance turnarounds.
• Optimization of cost performance within the operating unit.
• Analysis and resolution of cost deviations.
• Develop into a process expert and translate knowledge to others as needed.
• Meeting production goals within the operating unit.
• Analysis and resolution of production deviations.
• Communication of unit performance deviations to coworkers, fellow work groups, engineering, and management.
• Meeting performance goals on area housekeeping, site appearance, & hazard recognition/resolution.
• Investigation & resolution of near misses, spills, incidents, & customer complaints within the operating unit.
• Identification of maintenance needs and initiation of maintenance notification process.
• Team participation in A2E (Lean/Six Sigma) activities to improve unit performance.
• Expected to progress through pre-defined job roles within work group.

TEAM Reports to: Production Manager

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum Associates Degree OR Achieve 4 or higher in the following Work Keys subjects: Locating, Information, Applied Technology

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Prefer experience in a pipeline chemical or similar manufacturing operation.
• Prefer six sigma/lean experience.
• Prefer technical education such as Process Technology.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse team environment throughout all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated safety awareness and environmental stewardship.
• Strategic thinking with strong problem-solving skills.
• Be capable of performing all physical requirements of the essential job functions, which include climbing stairs & ladders, satisfactorily completing a respirator fit test (clean shaven required) and working in an outdoor industrial environment (ability to lift up to 50 lbs., work at heights).
• Must support 24/7 operation, which includes weekends, nights, & holidays.
• Possess ability and willingness to make decisions.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively without supervision.
• Basic Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Email, etc.).

Company Hiring Policy

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.

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.