Associate Maintenance Specialist

Associate Maintenance Specialist

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.

The Associate Maintenance Specialist is responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of facility infrastructure. This position works closely with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, ESSH, contractors, and other site functions to maintain buildings, utilities, and facility systems while ensuring compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and process safety expectations.

Targeted Outcomes:

• Safe and timely completion of maintenance activities.
• High compliance with preventive maintenance schedules.
• Improved facility equipment reliability and availability.
• Effective troubleshooting and resolution of recurring facility problems.
• Accurate and timely CMMS documentation.
• Effective contractor coordination and performance.
• Timely completion of inspections and corrective actions.
• Compliance with safety, environmental, and process safety requirements.
• Cost-effective execution of maintenance activities and facility projects.
• Effective communication and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, ESSH, and other site personnel.

Key Responsibilities:

Support maintenance and repair activities for facility infrastructure and systems, including:

- Buildings and structural systems

- HVAC and ventilation systems

- Electrical distribution and lighting

- Plumbing, drainage, and water systems

- Compressed air and other facility utilities

- Doors, roofs, flooring, and general building infrastructure

- Site roads, grounds, fencing, and related infrastructure

Perform and monitor preventive and predictive maintenance activities.

Troubleshoot facility equipment and coordinate corrective maintenance activities.

Create, prioritize, update, and close maintenance work orders using the site's Computerized Maintenance Management System (SAP)

Conduct routine facility inspections and identify potential reliability, safety, environmental, and maintenance issues.

Coordinate and monitor contractors performing facility maintenance and repair work.

Support facility maintenance projects, including scope development, cost estimates, scheduling, and execution.

Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment documentation, drawings, inspection reports, and work histories.

Work with Operations and ESSH to ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, fire protection, electrical, and facility requirements.

Participate in applicable Management of Change (MOC), Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Permit-to-Work, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and other site safety processes.

Respond to facility-related emergencies and provide maintenance support during abnormal plant conditions.

Identify opportunities to improve facility reliability, energy efficiency, maintainability, and operating costs.

Support internal and external audits, inspections, and completion of corrective actions.

Perform other duties as assigned to support safe and reliable plant operations.

Must complete Ascend Job Representative (AJR) qualifications

Provide oversight and facilitate nested and non-nested contractors within facilities and provide coordination with operating units.

Overseer's facility projects and provides updates and status reports

Willingness to learn and follow the Maintenance Work Process

Required Experience:

High School diploma or equivalent

• Minimum 5 years in maintenance/operations, reliability and/or turnaround activities in chemical, petrochemical or refinery industry
• Working knowledge of maintenance and turnaround work processes and associated central maintenance management systems (SAP)
• Demonstrated performance and value improvement in work process related matters

Preferred Experience:

3-5 years' experience working with Vendor management systems (TRACK, CMS and other ERP systems) preferred

• Working knowledge of typical contracting strategies, contracting terms and conditions and contractor staffing/roles in an industrial setting

Required Skills:

• Able to quickly respond in challenging situations
• Owners' mindset to identify and deliver improved performance

Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as strong computer skills in several software systems

Excellent problem solving and analytical skills

Contract execution and issue resolution abilities

Ability to work with various groups of people (i.e. accounting, information technology, operations management, contract personnel, etc.)

Ability to build/maintain effective working relationships

Must be able to work independently and cooperatively within a team in a fast-paced work environment

Experience with MS Office Suites (i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)

• Knowledge of SAP system (Notification, W/O Creation, Purchasing and Requisition creation basic planning)

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in both office and industrial plant environments.
• Regularly walk throughout the facility, including uneven surfaces, stairs, platforms, and outdoor areas.
• Must be able to climb and descend stairs, fixed ladders, portable ladders, and access platforms as required to inspect equipment and facilities.
• May be required to work at elevated heights, including on platforms, elevated structures, roofs, scaffolding, and other designated areas, in accordance with site fall-protection requirements.
• Must be comfortable working around elevated equipment and accessing areas that may require the use of approved fall-protection systems.
• May work in confined or restricted-access areas when properly trained, authorized, and equipped.
• May be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and wind.
• May work around operating process equipment, chemicals, rotating equipment, electrical systems, pressure systems, and other industrial hazards.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• May be required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, and maintain balance while performing inspections and maintenance activities.
• May occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, or pull tools, equipment, and materials within the requirements of the position and applicable safety procedures.
• May require occasional overtime, weekend work, call-in support, or emergency response based on plant operating requirements.