Technical Specialist Maintenance Leader

About the role

This position serves as the people leader and technical authority for Ascend’s Technical Specialist Maintenance Department. This role is accountable for leading a diverse team of high voltage, process analyzer, and distributed control system (DCS) technicians in the safe and effective execution of daily maintenance, troubleshooting, reliability improvement, and turnaround activities for specialized plant systems.

Responsibilities

• Achieve world-class safety performance through strict compliance with electrical, process safety, and environmental standards while eliminating serious incidents and reducing exposure risks.
• Improve reliability and availability of critical electrical, analyzer, and control systems through proactive maintenance, predictive technologies, and strong reliability practices.
• Develop a high-performing technical specialist organization with strong accountability, technical capability, workforce engagement, and succession planning.
• Reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs by optimizing preventive and predictive maintenance strategies and improving work execution discipline.
• Deliver turnaround and capital project support safely, on schedule, and within budget while maintaining high quality standards.
• Strengthen partnerships with Operations, Engineering, and Reliability teams to improve asset effectiveness and operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that support site productivity, quality, environmental, and cost performance objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor or Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, refining, pulp and paper, power generation, or heavy industrial manufacturing environments.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting electrical distribution systems, analyzers, instrumentation, PLCs, and DCS systems in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance, turnaround execution, and maintenance work processes preferred.
• Six Sigma and/or Lean Manufacturing experience desired.
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) certification preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of maintenance work processes, reliability principles, and maintenance best practices.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety, instrumentation systems, process controls, and industrial maintenance standards.
• Proven leadership and team-building capabilities with the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, decision-making, conflict resolution, facilitation, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, CMMS systems, and LIMSS.
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to identify, implement, and sustain corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Ability to meet the physical requirements of an industrial manufacturing environment including working in extreme temperatures, climbing stairs and ladders, walking, sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and working in confined or elevated areas as required.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle tools, equipment, and computer systems.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds periodically.
• Ability to wear required PPE including arc flash clothing, respirators, and fall protection equipment as required.
• Ability to work in operating plant environments including exposure to noise, vibration, chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions.
• Ability to support off-hours callouts, turnaround activities, and emergency response situations as needed.

Benefits

At Ascend Performance Materials, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. This includes:

• Access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities.
• A global wellness rewards program.
• A Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan.

Pay

Competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible work hours to accommodate plant operations.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit our careers page at [Insert URL]. For more information about Ascend Performance Materials, visit our website at [Insert URL].

About Ascend Performance Materials

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 offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business. For more information about our company, please visit our website at [Insert URL].