Productivity Program Manager - Value Office

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high‑performance chemicals, fibers and plastics. The Productivity Program Manager – Value Office drives productivity and value creation initiatives across Ascend’s operations, delivering year‑over‑year cost reduction commitments and nurturing a productivity pipeline.

• Build and sustain a productivity pipeline supporting annual and future‑year cost reduction targets.
• Drive recurring ideation efforts that generate measurable operational and financial improvements.
• Improve execution discipline and project governance using Ascend’s recognition and continuous improvement processes.
• Deliver sustainable productivity improvements tied to operational efficiency, margin enhancement, and cost reduction.

• Productivity and Program Leadership
  • Lead productivity initiatives across manufacturing facilities and coordinate the full productivity lifecycle from ideation through value realization.
  • Partner with site and functional leaders to prioritize initiatives based on operational impact, financial value, feasibility, and strategic alignment.
  • Ensure projects are properly chartered, resourced, governed, and executed using standardized continuous improvement methodologies.
• Financial and Operational Alignment
  • Perform initial financial evaluations of productivity opportunities and validate assumptions with finance teams.
  • Monitor pipeline health, project execution status, savings delivery, and sustainability of results.
  • Support development of KPI dashboards and tracking systems linking operational performance to financial outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with operations, engineering, quality, procurement, logistics, supply chain, technology, and finance teams to remove execution barriers.
  • Facilitate cross‑functional communication and governance to improve accountability and decision making.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement and value creation across the organization.
• Team and Interactions
  • Report to the Director, Value Office and work closely with leadership teams across operations and support functions.

Pensacola, FL | Decatur, AL | Alvin, TX

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, operational excellence, productivity leadership, or business transformation roles within industrial or chemical manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading cross‑functional productivity, continuous improvement, or cost‑reduction initiatives in complex manufacturing organizations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, operational cost drivers, and productivity management systems.
• Experience driving initiatives through structured governance, stage‑gate, Lean, Six Sigma, or DMAIC methodologies.
• Experience working across matrixed organizations and influencing teams without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to connect operational initiatives to financial outcomes and realize business value.

• Strong program and project management capabilities.
• Process discipline with strong execution and organizational skills.
• Ability to simplify complex operational challenges into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to drive accountability and alignment across cross‑functional teams.
• High level of initiative, ownership, and adaptability in fast‑paced manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, business intelligence tools, productivity tracking systems, and AI‑enabled tools.

• On‑site medical clinics at U.S. facilities.
• Global wellness rewards program.
• Performance Matters employee‑driven recognition plan.

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.