Analytical Chemist

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 Analytical Chemist is responsible for leading laboratory-based research and analytical activities, serving as a technical expert for method development, validation, and deployment. This role provides technical oversight of the Chemical Lab at Pensacola (PEN) and supports associated testing activities at Foley (FOL) and other global locations. This role partners closely with operations, quality, and technology teams to ensure analytical rigor, safety, and continuous improvement.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Develop research objectives and design analytical and data collection approaches in support of project goals and business needs.
• Deploy new analytical instrumentation and techniques for routine laboratory analysis, including:
  • Authoring new standard test methods and procedures.
  • Serving as an informal technical leader and mentor to laboratory staff, including training on specialized procedures and theoretical concepts.
  • Partnering with vendors to source, procure, maintain, and calibrate laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Provide technical oversight of the Chem Lab, ensuring accurate, reliable, and consistent analytical testing across supported locations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Laboratory Leadership and Technical Expertise

• Develop, validate, and deploy analytical methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Provide technical oversight of the Quality Inspection Laboratory, including associated testing at other sites.
• Serve as a technical resource and informal mentor to laboratory staff.
• Partner with vendors to source, maintain, and calibrate laboratory equipment and instrumentation.

Safety, Environmental, and Compliance

• Ensure all laboratory activities are conducted safely and in compliance with environmental, safety, security, and health requirements and operating permits.
• Identify, communicate, and address environmental, safety, security, and health issues in a timely manner.
• Participate in and support audits, inspections, job safety analyses, and housekeeping initiatives.
• Implement assigned actions from audits, management systems, and continuous improvement programs.

Collaboration and Project Support

• Coordinate laboratory activities with operations, quality, and other functional teams.
• Provide technical input and analytical support for plant trials, investigations, and improvement projects.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, charts, and presentations summarizing laboratory results and methodologies.

TEAM AND INTERACTIONS

• Reports to: Analytical Sciences Leader, PEN
• This role partners closely with operations, quality, and other technical teams to ensure analytical rigor, safety, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related technical discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of laboratory experience in a polymer testing or chemical lab environment.
• Experience in applied bench scale polymer testing
• Experience in analytical techniques such as chromatography (gas and liquid), electrochemistry (pH, acid/base, polarography), Spectroscopy, LIMS data management.
• Experience in providing development, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting support for laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to develop, document, and apply analytical methods, standard test procedures, and laboratory techniques
• Working knowledge of statistical tools to support data quality, interpretation, and reduction of experimental variability
• Experience applying continuous improvement tools to improve laboratory safety, reliability, or efficiency
• Effective troubleshooting and problem-solving skills related to laboratory methods and analytical equipment
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document methods and explain technical results
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across operations, quality, and technology teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet commitments
• Demonstrated accountability, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through

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.