Job Description

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 Operational Technology (OT) Manager is a critical leadership role within the Process Control Systems (PCS) team, based in Alvin, Texas, and responsible for OT support across North American sites. This position leads a team of OT engineers and is accountable for implementing and maintaining robust, secure, and innovative OT solutions to enable manufacturing performance and digital transformation. This role requires a self-driven professional with deep expertise in industrial OT, cybersecurity, and process data systems, capable of both strategic leadership and hands-on technical execution.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Develop and execute a forward-looking OT strategy that aligns with Ascend’s digital transformation goals.
• Ensure full compliance with internal cybersecurity standards and industry regulations across all manufacturing sites.
• Advance the integration of modern OT capabilities across automation and enterprise platforms.
• Maintain reliable, compliant operations of process data historian systems and networked OT infrastructure.
• Provide high-quality technical support, guidance, and development for the OT team.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships between IT, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

KEY RESPONSIBIITIES

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Develop and maintain Ascend’s OT roadmap, identifying opportunities for innovation and modernization.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for industrial cybersecurity, network architecture, and MES/ERP integration.
• Act as a liaison between manufacturing sites and central IT teams to ensure cohesive project execution and system alignment.

Operations & Support

• Administer and support process data historian systems at Chocolate Bayou and other sites as needed.
• Oversee OT systems including predictive maintenance tools, endpoint protection, backup/recovery, and server patching.
• Support continuous improvement and key performance indicators (KPIs) through OT data insights and automation.

Team Development & Compliance

• Lead, coach, and develop OT team members to build technical strength and career progression.
• Stay current with industry standards (e.g., IEC 62443) and best practices, applying them across Ascend’s systems.
• Ensure compliance with safety, cybersecurity, and quality standards across all OT operations.
• Leverage Six Sigma or similar methodologies to optimize reliability and system performance.

TEAM AND INTERACTIONS

• Reports to: Sr. Process Control Systems Manager
• Direct reports: OT Engineers at various North American sites.
• Works closely with manufacturing site leaders, IT security and infrastructure teams, automation engineers, and MES/ERP system owners.
• Requires strong influence skills, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to operate in both strategic and tactical capacities.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field. Advanced degrees or professional certifications in OT, cybersecurity, or related disciplines are preferred.
• 8+ years of OT or digital transformation experience in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven leadership of OT teams or initiatives.
• Experience with process data historians and common industrial protocols.
• Demonstrated success applying industrial cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443.
• Experience supporting OT applications and technologies in compliance-focused industries.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong technical knowledge of industrial OT ecosystems, cybersecurity, and manufacturing systems.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with firewalls, network segmentation, and secure system architecture.
• Strong project management, time management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, prioritize competing demands, and drive 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 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.