Job Description

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. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ascend is currently searching for a Project Procurement Manager to be located in our downtown Houston office. As a member of the Procurement organization, this role will be responsible for sourcing and negotiating the procurement of equipment, materials, and services for capital projects and turnarounds. The objective is to secure purchases at competitive prices, ensuring high quality and timely delivery, while adhering to company policies, performance standards, and mitigating risk.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Drive project procurement initiatives meeting project goals and aligning with procurement strategies.
• Integrate short-term and long-term category management strategies in project procurement plans.
• Identify and implement metrics, tools, and systems to ensure successful execution of the organization’s strategic goals and objectives related to projects.
• Develop strong market knowledge and insight into project and turnaround pipelines.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders in business, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, sustainability, and technology to develop robust project procurement plans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Project Management and Engineering teams to develop procurement plans and conduct sourcing events for equipment, materials, and services.
• Work closely with Engineering teams to address technical clarifications supporting proposal development and project execution.
• Secure and evaluate quotations, lead price and terms & conditions negotiations with suppliers, and recommend suppliers based on cost, quality, and delivery competitiveness.
• Lead weekly status meetings with stakeholders, providing updates on sourcing progress, risk assessments, needs to meet project deadlines, and bid analysis.
• Engage with vendors to gather product or service details, including price, availability, and delivery timelines. Monitor requisitions and order status, resolving discrepancies in quantity or quality.
• Ensure timely creation and accuracy of purchase requisitions and purchase orders in SAP.
• Maintain organized purchasing records, strategies, reports, supplier databases, purchase order details, and price lists.
• Coordinate quality control and engineering changes with suppliers to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Arrange sample submissions, inspections, site visits, etc., as required.
• Assist in proposal development by obtaining and reviewing budgetary quotes as required.
• Foster and maintain close supplier relationships.
• Monitor market trends to ensure competitive pricing and supply chain stability.
• Provide leadership updates as needed, highlighting key sourcing progress and challenges.
• Participate in project planning meetings to ensure alignment between procurement activities and overall project execution.

TEAM

• Reports to Procurement Manager

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• BS/BA degree in related technical or business field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Procurement or Engineering with a background in project management, strategic purchasing of equipment, materials and services in support of business and manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of procurement systems and purchasing policies, procedures, and laws as well as project management best practices.
• Experience working in an ERP environment; SAP experience preferred
• Six Sigma or Lean desirable

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Must exhibit strong communication, analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with chemical industry, equipment specifications, etc.
• Procurement Expertise: Understands business and procurement principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, production methods, and purchasing policies and procedures.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to build cooperative relationships with vendors and suppliers to negotiate favorable prices and terms.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent at managing multiple tasks simultaneously, with the ability to plan, prioritize, and follow through to achieve goals and deadlines.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to foster positive team dynamics and interdepartmental cooperation to achieve project goals.
• Computer Proficiency: Skilled in using Microsoft 365, SAP, Ariba, Avetta, etc.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read and interpret equipment general arrangement (GA) drawings, bills of materials, and equipment packing lists.
• Pressure Management: Capable of working effectively under pressure, meeting tight deadlines, and working independently with minimal supervision.
• Self-Motivation: Persistent, results-oriented, and proactive, with a strong sense of urgency to take initiative and achieve objectives.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates good judgment, maturity, and professionalism in all aspects of work.
• Attendance: Consistently maintains regular attendance during business hours.

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.