Project 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 Principal Project Manager serves as a senior leader in the Project Engineering organization, accountable for the safe, efficient, and strategic execution of large-scale, complex capital projects at the Decatur, Alabama site. This role leads cross-functional teams through all project stagesfrom concept development through start-upwhile ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, operational priorities, and capital investment plans. The position requires exceptional leadership, business acumen, and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization and external partners.

Targeted Outcomes

• Deliver multiple high-value capital projects safely, on time, within budget, and meeting operational performance targets.
• Embed operational discipline and standardized project management practices across the site.
• Strengthen project governance to ensure alignment with Ascends stage-gate process and corporate capital plan.
• Develop and mentor project engineering talent, building organizational capability for sustained capital execution excellence.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a senior member of the site capital leadership team, shaping long-term project strategies and priorities.
• Partner with manufacturing, operations, and corporate leadership to align capital investments with business objectives, safety priorities, and sustainability goals.

• Influence project portfolio decisions through business case development, risk assessments, and lifecycle cost analysis.

Project Execution Excellence

• Lead cross-functional teams through the full lifecycle of major projects, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and safety targets.
• Champion the stage-gate process, freezing scope between stages and managing change control rigorously.
• Oversee contracting strategies, execution models, and resource planning to optimize delivery and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure all required process hazard reviews, environmental permitting, and ESSH requirements are met before mechanical completion.

Governance & Reporting

• Prepare and present funding authorizations, forecasts, and project updates to senior leadership and capital review boards.
• Track and report on KPIs, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions.
• Conduct post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned and improve future execution.

Talent & Capability Development

• Mentor project engineers and managers, fostering technical expertise, leadership capability, and accountability.
• Promote a high-performance, safety-first culture within the project organization.

Team and Interactions

• Reports to Director - Project Engineering
• Leads multi-disciplinary project teams including engineering, operations, procurement, environmental, safety, and contractors.
• Regularly engages with site leadership and external engineering and construction partners.

Required Experience

• Bachelors degree in engineering discipline required.
• Minimum 15 years experience in chemical or petrochemical manufacturing, including at least 5 years in capital project management.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale, complex projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in contracting strategies, cost control, and risk management.
• Experience in developing and presenting capital investment proposals to senior leadership.

Required Skills

• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to influence capital allocation decisions.
• Expertise in stage-gate processes, project controls, and construction management.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Office, and project management tools.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

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 waysall 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 doesnt 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. Youll 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 doesnt 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 dont accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you wont 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.