Quality Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Quality Engineer is responsible for planning and coordinating within the Quality function to ensure compliance to company standards and customer specifications. The Quality Engineer will provide leadership and direction to the site’s quality processes and partner with internal and external stakeholders to monitor, report and continually improve the quality system. The Quality Engineer will lead the internal audit team and maintain the quality system.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• ISO 9001/RC14001 certification for Ascend and Guest Operations with high employee and leader engagement.
• Assessment of the management system with recommendations to close gaps
• Prompt responses to customer complaints with root cause solutions and resolution of systemic issues.
• Statistical analyses of product quality data and improvement plans to address significant gaps
• Conduct internal and external third-party audits; recommend and implement improvements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and continually improve the Responsible Care/Quality management system.
• Drive integration of management system with business objectives and operational performance
• Utilize Lean/6 Sigma tools to drive process improvements, reduce variation, and eliminate defects.
• Publish Quality Metrics to the site and work with business units to drive improvements
• Ensure prompt and root cause solutions to customer complaints
• Lead and Coordinator investigation and resolution of process and product deviations; Support Operations problem resolution
• Process monitoring and statistical analysis for customers and commercial teams
• Manage raw material and product specifications
• Conduct internal and external third-party audits (including Suppliers and Tollers)
• Product Performance Technical Interchange with Customers, Commercial Team, and Manufacturing
• Actively participate in Ascend’s safety initiatives
• Routinely interface with ESSH Team, Sales Team, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Logistics, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Laboratory personnel, Product Stewardship, Project Engineering and Process Technology.

TEAM

• Reports to: Global Quality Director

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 4 years of Quality Engineer experience
• Must have operations experience in a large chemical manufacturing facility
• Bachelor of Science degree; Chemical Engineering preferred
• Must have Internal/supplier audit experience (both QMS 9001 & RCMS 14001). Third party auditor certification is preferred.     
• Support development of Quality testing requirements
• Proven track record of driving quality management system improvements and business results
• Basic understanding of OSHA Process Safety Management

DESIRED CERTIFICATION

• Green belt certification preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong computer skills including DCS, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Business Systems (e.g. SAP), Minitab, NWA, Spreadsheets
• Strong ability to communicate, organize/interpret, present data, and influence others at all levels of the organization
• Self-starter with high bias for action and delivery of results aligned to business and operational performance
• Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analyses, using predictive tools (e.g. FMEA), and driving data-based decisions

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.