Principle Reliability Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

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 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Europe and China.  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.

The Analyzer Reliability Specialist at the Chocolate Bayou Site provides technical expertise and support related to Process Analyzer Systems, including ensuring proper functionality, troubleshooting persistent problems, driving reliability improvements, supporting project development, owning relative maintenance procedures, and ensuring document control.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Develop best practices for the Analyzer Maintenance Group (AMG) by prioritizing maintenance efforts, improvements of maintenance methods, evaluation of correct resourcing, and increasing the focus on performance monitoring and reporting.
• Support the development of the Analyzer Maintenance Group (AMG) technicians by identifying training needs, mentoring, and developing talent progression requirements.
• Establish work processes, create procedures, and implement work practices to improve daily efficiencies and ensure sustainability for the Analyzer Maintenance Group (AMG).
• Develop and champion a strategy to replace equipment over multiple years and prioritize the list based on how critical the analysis is to the process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The site representative of the Analyzer Maintenance Group (AMG) at CHB.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives of Process Analyzer Systems.
• Provide technical expertise in Process Safety Management activities which could include PHA, MOC, Safety Critical Equipment, Incident Investigations, Alarm Management, etc.
• Assure site compliance requirements for Process Analyzer Systems by conducting and supporting internal and external audits.
• Work with Capital Project and Turnaround groups to develop scope, specifications, testing criteria, and execution plans for new and existing Process Analyzer Systems.
• Identify obsolete analyzer equipment, maintain a replacement strategy, and drive improvements.
• Lead obsolescence reviews of stocked items and identify new stock to support critical equipment care.
• Maintain the documentation and drawings needed to support existing and new analyzer installations.
• Manage the PPM program for existing and new Process Analyzer Systems.
• Utilize SAP to manage and issue work orders to support the Maintenance and Reliability work processes.
• Lead and participate in root-cause analysis associated with Process Analyzer Systems.
• Identify and resolve recurring analyzer system failures at the site.
• Provide technical support to Maintenance and Operations for technical requirements and issues related to Process Analyzer Systems.
• Accountable for day-to-day technical support of the Analyzer Maintenance Group (AMG) Technicians.
• Willing and able to work extended hours to resolve critical equipment issues and support site outages.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• B.S. in Chemistry/Engineering or Associate in Analyzer, Electrical, or Instrumentation with demonstrated leadership and process analyzer knowledge and/or practical analyzer-related work experience.
• 10 plus years of experience in commissioning, operating, and maintenance of process analyzers, sample conditions systems, and communications architecture.
• Experience with online analyzers such as GC, IR, Mass Spec, CEMS, HRVOC, Oxygen, Water Quality, Gas Detection, etc., in a petrochemical facility.
• Experience in process analyzer maintenance execution and project support.
• Developing and managing Preventative Predictive Maintenance programs.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Proficient in using computer applications (email, Word, Excel, etc.) and practical knowledge of computer hardware.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting knowledge, maintenance repair experience, and capital project support (reviews, factory acceptance testing, installation inspections, and start-up support).
• Strong motivator and self-starter
• Ability to perform high level troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership, learning and development skills
• Ability to effectively interface with manufacturing, engineering and other functions including contractors

SAFETY

• Must be able to demonstrate, based on past performance, personal safety management and adherence to safe work practices.
• Must be participant in working in, and continuing to foster, a safe work culture.
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory/compliance issues and ESSH policies, guidelines and procedures in a highly hazardous chemical company is a plus.

PROCESSES

• SAP, Sharepoint, MS Teams
• Aspen Process Historian
• Proficient in operating MS Office software, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.
• ThinkReliability Cause Mapping

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.