Sr Maintenance and Reliability Manager

Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials is seeking a Sr. Maintenance and Reliability Manager in Pensacola, FL. The role leads maintenance and reliability programs across the site, driving productivity, equipment reliability, and a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in operations/reliability leadership, 10+ years in chemical/petrochemical environments, and strong expertise in SAP and predictive analytics. PE license and reliability cert are preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in operations, reliability, maintenance, and/or engineering leadership.
• Minimum 10 years in the chemical or petrochemical industry.
• Proven experience leading large-scale maintenance and reliability transformations.
• Maintenance and Reliability Professional certification preferred.
• Professional Engineering license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the site's reliability and maintenance team to grow capability.
• Partner with the Site Director to resolve constraints and drive strategic initiatives.
• Set clear objectives for direct reports and foster a collaborative culture.
• Deliver Annual Operating Plan commitments and adapt plans as priorities shift.
• Oversee safe, cost-effective maintenance activities and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

SAP

Predictive analytics

Turnaround planning

Communication

Change management

Project management

Education

Professional Engineering license

Maintenance/Reliability certification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Position Title

Sr. Maintenance and Reliability Manager

Location

Pensacola, Florida

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 Sr. Maintenance and Reliability Manager is a key member of the Business and Site Leadership Teams, accountable for all maintenance and reliability functions at the Pensacola site. This leader will guide the strategic and operational execution of maintenance programs, drive productivity and equipment reliability, and lead a team committed to achieving operational excellence.

Targeted Outcomes

• Establish and execute a multi-year strategic plan to transform maintenance and reliability, delivering improved productivity, reduced downtime, and cost effectiveness.
• Lead the organization through a successful reliability transformation by instilling discipline in maintenance execution and predictive strategies.
• Cultivate a high-performing team culture focused on innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Achieve significant improvements in business profitability through optimized maintenance planning, turnaround execution, and reliability investments.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead and develop the site's reliability and maintenance team, ensuring effective execution and capability growth.
• Partner with the Site Director and Leadership Team to resolve operational constraints and drive strategic initiatives.
• Set clear objectives and expectations for direct reports and foster a collaborative, values-driven culture.
• Promote Ascend's One Ascend mindset and a customer-focused approach throughout the organization.
• Deliver Annual Operating Plan (AOP) commitments and adjust plans to address emerging site priorities.

Maintenance

• Drive execution of safe, cost-effective, and regulatory-compliant maintenance activities and projects.
• Lead the implementation of standardized maintenance work processes (MWP) and reliability frameworks aligned with industry best practices.
• Ensure optimized use of SAP and maintenance systems for effective planning and execution.
• Oversee development of turnaround strategies and continuous improvement initiatives.

Reliability

• Develop and implement reliability strategies centered on predictive and preventive maintenance across mechanical and instrumentation systems.
• Prioritize maintenance investments and capital expenditures that maximize Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Instill a proactive, data-driven reliability culture in collaboration with operations and engineering.
• Ensure alignment of reliability goals with process safety and work process optimization.

Reports To Senior Site Director Team and Interactions

• Direct Reports: 3 Maintenance and Reliability Managers
• Total Organization: Approximately 75 Ascend and contractor team members
• Works closely with operations, engineering, ESSH, and the central reliability team to deliver performance outcomes.

Required Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in operations, reliability, maintenance, and/or engineering leadership roles.
• Minimum 10 years in the chemical or petrochemical industry.
• Proven experience leading large-scale maintenance and reliability transformations.
• Maintenance and Reliability Professional certification preferred.
• Professional Engineering license preferred.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large technical teams in dynamic environments.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership capabilities.
• Expertise in maintenance systems (SAP), predictive analytics, and turnaround planning.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of world-class maintenance and reliability standards and practices.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and adeptness in leading change.

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.

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.