Sr. ESSH Manager

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 Chocolate Bayou Environmental, Safety, Security, and Health Manager leads the site Environmental, Safety, Security, and Health (ESSH) team at our CHB, Houston facility.  Responsible for leading his/her team to drive the site to best-in-class environmental, safety, security and health performance.  Additionally, a key member of Ascend’s ESSH Council which sets the ESSH standards and identifies strategic ESSH initiatives across the Company.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Implement personal safety strategies to achieve an OSHA injury rate of zero through leadership commitment, and employee engagement, while using data as the primary analytical tool to target and mitigate personal safety risk.
• Identify the key Process Safety risks for the CHB site and develop (with the site’s leadership team) a multi-functional plan to address annually to achieve zero Tier 1 and 2 process safety events.
• Obtain and maintain compliance for all necessary Environmental permits to enable the CHB site’s growth projects to proceed as needed to meet its Business Plan.
• Implement the annual ESSH Council Company initiatives at the CHB site.
• Implement strategies to drive a culture of zero incidents and injuries at the site.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Cultural Impact

• Provide leadership on accident prevention, root cause analysis, hazard management, and behavioral modification to drive a learning organization.
• Drive the site’s ESSH team to continuously develop their skills and experience, along with implementation of systems and processes to drive efficiency and improved performance.
• Actively engage in Ascend’s ESSH Council.

• Use Ascend’s strategic ESSH framework of Culture-Process-Talent to:

• Drive a sustainable culture of excellence in all areas of ESSH by fostering leadership commitment, and the engagement of employees and contractors to take responsibility for themselves and that of others.
• Insure that ESSH processes are robust and strong across the site.
• Develop the CHB ESSH organization and talent necessary to meet the site’s need.

ESSH Metrics & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and track leading measures of ESSH performance for the site.
• Ensure the site’s Emergency Response Plan is functioning well and the required staffing (Fire Brigade, EMT’s) are adequately trained to respond to site’s needs.
• Ensure OSHA medical surveillance requirements are met, as well as specific site needs, through the Occupational Medical resources at the site.
• Maintain VPP STAR status & RCMS certification for the site.
• In the Process Safety field, ensure that PHA’s are completed as required for all regulated PSM areas, while driving site-wide risk mitigation in non-PSM areas.
• Ensure the site’s Title V, NPDES, RCRA, and all other air, water, and waste regulatory requirements are completed in a timely manner.
• Manage the Facility’s Security Plan in conjunction with on-site contract Security, to ensure MTSA compliance.
• Maintain compliance with all current Federal, State, and local standards as understanding future possible regulatory changes in OSHA, EPA/ADEM, MTSA/CFATS legislation that may affect the site.

TEAM

• Reports to: ESSH Director – Environmental, Security, Safety & Health (ESSH) with matrix reporting line to Site Director
• Team Members:
  • Approximately 11 Ascend team members
  • Contract security team
  • Contract environmental, safety, and medical support resources as needed

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Safety, Environmental Sciences, or Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Chemical, Petrochemical or Oil & Gas Industry, with at least 7 years of management experience in ESSH and/or Operations leadership.  Broad range of experience in each ESSH discipline and ability to lead improvement.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE

• Certified Safety Professional preferred and/or Certified Industrial Hygienist preferred
• Experience with certified OSHA VPP program preferred
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred
• Working knowledge of American Chemistry Council Responsible Care and/or Quality Management Systems is a plus
• Experience managing RC14001 and ISO14001 systems at a facility.  Auditor certifications preferred

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Proactive leadership and team building skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Change Management – experience in leading organizational change.
• Working knowledge of PSM requirements and the use of PHA and FMEA tools.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of ACC’s RCMS management system.
• Excellent understanding of MARSEC levels, MTSA, & CFATS as it pertains to site security.
• Solid interpersonal, influential, coaching, facilitation and organizational skills with excellent verbal and written communication capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives to successful completions.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering customer success.
• Excellent computer skills are required. This includes sound proficiency in MS Office products.

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.