Chemical Manufacturing Technician

Chemical Manufacturing Technician

Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Newburyport, MA

Compensation: $24.00 - $26.00 / hour

Description

The Chemical Manufacturing Technician supports the safe and efficient production of specialty chemical products through reactor-based manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for preparing reactors and processing equipment, charging raw materials, monitoring production processes, transferring materials, and supporting manufacturing activities from batch initiation through completion.

This is a hands-on manufacturing role requiring significant physical activity, equipment setup, material handling, and work in both indoor and outdoor environments. Employees spend a substantial portion of their day preparing reactors, connecting transfer systems, staging materials, and supporting production operations in varying weather conditions throughout the year.

The Technician is responsible for maintaining accurate production records while ensuring compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality requirements.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Chemical Manufacturing Operations

• Prepare, inspect, assemble, configure, and operate reactors, pumps, transfer systems, hoses, piping, and associated production equipment.
• Charge raw materials into reactors and process vessels in accordance with batch instructions and operating procedures.
• Monitor manufacturing processes including temperature, pressure, agitation, flow rates, and other process parameters.
• Perform material transfers involving drums, totes, process vessels, and production equipment.
• Collect process samples and perform routine production checks as required.
• Complete reactor cleanout, equipment changeovers, and batch turnaround activities.
• Support production schedules and manufacturing campaigns to meet customer demand.
• Assist with process troubleshooting and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Prepare charts, logs, and manufacturing reports associated with production activities.

Equipment Setup and Maintenance

• Assemble and disassemble production equipment to support manufacturing operations.
• Perform routine inspections, cleaning, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Conduct leak checks and verify equipment readiness prior to operation.
• Identify equipment problems and communicate issues to supervision and maintenance personnel.
• Support maintenance activities and equipment repairs as needed.
• Maintain tools and work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.

Material Handling and Inventory Management

• Receive, stage, transfer, and store raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Verify material identities, lot numbers, quantities, and documentation.
• Operate pallet jacks, drum handling equipment, and other material-handling devices as authorized.
• Assist with inventory transactions and inventory accuracy activities.
• Ensure materials are properly labeled, stored, and handled in accordance with company procedures.

Work Environment

This position operates in a specialty chemical manufacturing facility supporting reactor-based production operations.

Employees spend a significant portion of each shift setting up reactors, transferring materials, staging equipment, and supporting manufacturing activities both indoors and outdoors. Work is performed year-round and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, humidity, and changing temperatures.

The work environment includes chemical processing equipment, reactors, pumps, piping systems, drums, totes, and other industrial manufacturing equipment. Strict adherence to safety, environmental, and quality requirements is required at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or technical training in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, laboratory operations, industrial production, or handling hazardous materials preferred.
• Basic understanding of chemical safety practices and industrial work environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Mechanical aptitude and ability to safely use hand and power tools.
• Ability to learn and operate chemical processing equipment, including high-pressure systems.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to follow written procedures and work instructions.
• Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and quality standards.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and move throughout manufacturing and facility areas.
• Occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, or reach.
• Frequently required to climb ladders, platforms, and stairs to access equipment and storage areas.
• Frequently required to lift, carry, push, pull, or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently required to operate material-handling equipment such as hand trucks, drum carts, pallet jacks, and similar equipment.
• Occasionally required to perform outdoor facility maintenance activities, including snow and ice removal.
• Must be able to work in environments with varying temperatures, humidity levels, and noise conditions.
• Must be medically qualified to wear respiratory protection and comply with the Ascensus Specialties Respiratory Protection Program.
• Must be capable of wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, safety glasses, chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, and safety footwear.

Schedule

Standard Schedule

• Sunday through Thursday or
• Tuesday through Saturday
• 8-hour shifts

Shift Premium

• Employees assigned to this schedule are eligible for a 10%shift differential premium

Additional Requirements

• Overtime may be required to support production schedules and business needs.

Benefits

Ascensus Specialties offers a competitive compensation and total rewards package. In compliance with Massachusetts State Pay Transparency requirements, the compensation model for this position is structured as follows:

Compensation:

• Hiring Hourly Range: $24.00-$26.00 hourly.
• Classification: Full-Time, non-exempt. As a non-exempt role, this position is paid an hourly wage and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Annual Bonus Incentive: Eligible to participate in the 2026 Ascensus Bonus Plan (ABP) at a target of 5% of base annual wage. The ABP is a unified annual cash incentive program designed to reward employees for measurable contributions to company performance. Eligibility and payouts are determined based on overall corporate financial results, as well as site-specific performance pertaining to Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Quality, and Production metrics. For new hires, the annual bonus potential is prorated based on the active hire date.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans; Life and AD&D insurance; and Short-term/Long-term Disability coverage.
• Retirement (401k): 100% company match up to the first 3% of employee contributions; 70% match on contributions between 3% and 6%.
• Paid Time Off: All accrued and frontloaded time off benefits become available for use after 90 days of employment. Time off allotments for the first calendar year are prorated based on the hire date:
  • Vacation & Floating Holidays: Frontloaded on January 1 annually based on standard professional tenure brackets.
  • Sick Leave: Accrued in compliance with Massachusetts state regulations.
  • Company Holidays: 9 paid company holidays (paid at 8 hours each) + 24 hours of floating holidays per calendar year.
• Additional Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available immediately upon hire to support overall well-being.