Principal Financial Analyst

Ascend Performance Materials; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials seeks a Principal Financial Analyst at the Pensacola site to partner with site leadership, perform cost analysis, and drive data-driven improvements. The role focuses on budgeting, forecasting, and providing strategic financial insights for manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in finance within manufacturing, strong Excel skills, and SAP experience to support cost reporting and decision-making. This position reports to the Pensacola Controller.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
• History building performance relationships and cross-functional partnerships
• Advanced Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, etc.)
• SAP experience preferred; other ERP platforms considered
• 5–7 years in business, accounting, and financial planning with data analysis (manufacturing preferred)

Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership to drive improvements by communicating results and issues
• Evaluate capital and productivity projects and prioritize opportunities
• Prepare cost information reporting for business partners to support strategic decisions
• Identify key value drivers, risks, and opportunities to maximize operating levels
• Use SAP, BW, and MS Office to extract data and turn it into analysis and recommendations

Skills

Advanced Excel

SAP

Financial modeling

Cost analysis

Business partnership

Education

BS/BA in Accounting, Finance or Business

Tools

SAP

BW

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Principal Financial Analyst to support both Ascend-owned and Guest-owned units within our Pensacola manufacturing site. The Analyst will play a critical role in operating decisions through their analysis and partnership with the area operations team members. They will be expected to provide financial analysis, cost modeling, and project review support. The Principal Financial Analyst is also responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the group’s production and usage records and cost reporting. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, enjoy a challenging work environment and the opportunity to exercise initiative, be self-motivated, and demonstrate an aptitude and skill to proactively find solutions. They will provide key information on historical trends, forecasts and related analysis at the micro and macro level in support of business decisions and be able to communicate complex concepts in a concise way.

TARGETED OUTCOMES/12 MONTH SUCCESS BENCHMARK

• Become a highly engaged and effective business partner across the Utilities, Maintenance, and Services organizations.
• Develop an understanding of plant spending plans, allocation basis, creation of product standard costs, and impact of cost savings initiatives.
• Achieve Greenbelt certification based on successful completion of data driven improvement projects.
• Actively support the development of standard work, process documentation and continuous improvement within the department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Business Partnering
  • Act as business partner to the site leadership team to help drive business improvements by communicating key results, issues, and challenges.
  • Evaluate capital and productivity projects, helping to prioritize opportunities.
  • Prepare impactful cost information reporting for use by business partners in managing their business, enabling them to make strategic decisions with accurate information.
  • Identify and assess key value drivers, risks, and opportunities in order to maximize operating levels.
  • Create cross-functional collaboration and support key ideas and initiatives by liaising with various cross functional roles, such as Corporate Accounting, Procurement, Commercial, Guests, and other financial functions on behalf of the plant and / or business partners.
• Business Performance Management
  • Analyze performance and financials on a weekly, monthly, annual, and ad hoc basis.
  • Identify risks and opportunities in achieving annual targets.
  • Generate scorecards that drive improved performance.
  • Become Subject Matter Expert (SME) on various financial and business areas.
  • Support department-wide improvement initiatives, including the development of standard work, process documentation, and cross-training activities.
  • Use various information systems such as SAP, BW and Microsoft Office Suite to extract needed data and turn it into analyzed information, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Financial Cost Analysis, Forecasting and Budgeting
  • Complete monthly closing activities, which include making journal entries, allocating usages and costs, performing variance analysis, reconciling accounts, and preparing Guest reporting and billings.
  • Coordinate with unit leaders to prepare a monthly operations forecast (cost, production, and usages).
  • Support the company’s annual planning and LRP (i.e., Long Range Plan) processes by coordinating with unit and site leaders to prepare assigned portions of the manufacturing site’s annual budget.
  • Support and deliver key projects / initiatives with robust analysis, insight and creative problem solving.
  • Advise site leadership team and operations on financial impact of decisions and recommend best course of action based on knowledge and analysis.
  • Provide analytical expertise to assist in tracking cost reduction activities and capacity expansion / rationalization projects.
• Reports to Pensacola Controller

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.

LOCATION

Pensacola, FL

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• BS / BA in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• History in building performance relationships and cross-functional partnerships.
• Ability to assimilate disparate information to develop detailed analysis and options.
• Advanced knowledge and user of Excel functions, lookups, pivot tables, etc.
• SAP experience preferred; experience with other ERP platforms will be considered.
• 5 - 7 years in business, accounting, and financial planning with data analysis (Manufacturing industry preferred).

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work in a collaborative manner with diverse cross-functional and cross-business teams.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an aptitude for systems and process optimization.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments while maintaining attention to detail.
• Self-driven and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and willing to get involved in projects outside of comfort level; willingness to involve others in the solution process.
• Proven problem-solving skills, able to break a problem down into component parts and resolve issues.
• Results-oriented, able to keep stakeholders engaged in progress towards completion of tasks and remain focused on results.
• Demonstrated ability to impact and influence others both inside and outside of the function achieve the best solution.

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.

EEO / Diversity Statement

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.