Procurement Director

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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Procurement Director - Energy is a key member of the Procurement Leadership Team and is responsible for developing and executing strategies to manage over $250-$300M in annual energy spend. Based in Houston, this role offers the opportunity to make a strategic, transformational impact by shaping energy procurement practices that drive long-term value, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Success in this position requires deep subject matter expertise in energy markets, strong cross-functional partnership, and the ability to influence strategic decisions across the organization.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Execute and continuously improve a forward-looking energy procurement strategy aligned with operational, financial, and sustainability goals.
• Achieve measurable cost savings, risk mitigation, and long-term energy supply reliability.
• Establish and maintain high-performing supplier partnerships.
• Optimize internal energy usage in coordination with manufacturing and engineering.
• Implement tools, metrics, and governance to enable proactive and transparent energy sourcing decisions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Lead the development of short-, medium-, and long-term energy procurement strategies, including electricity, natural gas, and related services.
• Monitor global and regional energy markets, regulations, and policy trends to inform procurement decisions.
• Identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities in energy sourcing, cost management, and sustainability.

Commercial Management

• Negotiate complex contracts with energy suppliers to ensure competitiveness, flexibility, and risk mitigation.
• Lead supplier selection and commercial strategy for energy-related agreements.
• Ensure legal and financial alignment in all contracts, coordinating closely with legal and finance teams.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, external regulations, and audit standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Optimization

• Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and sustainability teams to align sourcing strategies with plant operations and sustainability targets.
• Support long-term energy planning and optimization of energy usage.
• Collaborate across the organization to support accurate spend forecasting and reporting.
• Establish and manage key performance indicators for energy suppliers.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide leadership and direction to the Energy Procurement Specialist.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
• Support development and succession planning for energy procurement capabilities.

TEAM AND INTERACTIONS

• Reports to: Vice President – Procurement
• Direct report: Energy Procurement Specialist
• Member of the Procurement Leadership Team
• Collaborates regularly with manufacturing, engineering, finance, sustainability, legal, and supply chain teams
• Engages externally with energy suppliers, utilities, market analysts, and regulatory bodies

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, economics, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, energy markets, or engineering within a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Proven success in developing and executing strategic sourcing and supplier management initiatives
• ERP system experience; SAP preferred 
• Familiarity with continuous improvement tools such as Six Sigma or Lean is a plus

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Deep understanding of energy markets, procurement strategies, and regulatory considerations
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and project management capabilities
• Ability to influence across functions and levels, driving alignment and action
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to execution and continuous improvement
• Comfort working in dynamic, fast-paced environments with evolving business needs

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.