Director - Strategy & Growth

Position Overview
Ascend’s Strategy and Growth Group is seeking a strategic, creative, and passionate person with experience in the Chemicals/Polymer field capable of driving key major projects for Ascend. This critical role will report to the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Growth and this Director - Strategy & Growth will lead cross-functional teams that will be broad based and from many disciplines. This individual will be expected to make presentations to the senior management of the company and recommend the path to go forward. This group develops the company strategy, runs major projects and leads merger and acquisitions. This position will be located at Ascend’s US Corporate HQ in downtown Houston, TX .
Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and recommend emerging industry trends, expansion opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions, competitive threats, viability of outside business partners, venture capital sources, internal business performance and business process improvement in the Chemical /Polymer segments
• Critical Analysis of potential investment opportunities (make or buy decisions).
• Drive strategic initiatives such as sustainability, growth projects and support the development of long-term growth plans and profitability goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams (ie finance, procurement, engineering) and have a cooperative style.
• Business partnering and strategic influence.
• Manage, drive and deliver projects on time and within budget.

Required Experienc

• MBA or equivalent with strong focus on Marketing and Strategy desired.
• Expertise with the Mergers and Acquisition process desired.
• Previous experience within Sales, Business Development, Marketing or Product Management in the Chemical/Polymer industry.
• Strong leadership and management experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science or similar
• Proven Business Strategy Formulation.
• 15+ years of experience within the Specialty Chemical, Polymer or Management Consulting field.
• Project Management (PMP) certification or demonstrated project leadership skills

Required Skills

• Strong communication and active listening skills; ability to communicate effectively with C-level executives
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with International teams.
• Project Management, Stage Gate Management.
• Problem solving skills.
• Driven and agile.
• Strategic Marketing – such as market sizing, segmentation.
• Ability to lead a cross-functional team.

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.