Senior Safety Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW 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 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Europe and China. 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. We have an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to be a part of our Environmental, Safety, Security and Health (ESSH) team at our Chocolate Bayou Plant located in Alvin, TX. The ideal candidate will be responsible for assisting the site to drive to achieve best-in-class occupational safety performance. This role requires an individual who possesses regulatory knowledge, practical work site experience, technical expertise and continuous improvement leadership. This individual should be solution-based and enjoy technical hands-on work, diverse cross-functional teams, and collaborating with site technical, operations and maintenance personnel concerning safety-related challenges and improvements. TARGETED OUTCOMES Drive roll-outs and implementation of company-wide initiatives at Chocolate Bayou toward the vision of OneAscend and Commitment to Zero Support and/or develop procedures, processes, standards, specifications and systems to identify and achieve optimal control or reduction of hazards and exposures that may potentially harm people, property and/or the environment Satisfy regulations, applicable codes, standards, recognized practices, and corporate occupational safety and health requirements, develop site safety and health procedures, and perform self-assessments to drive sustainable compliance and continuous improvement Engage and interface with regulatory agencies and other third parties, and prepare required documentation, information and reports Provide technical expertise and consultation on pre-job planning, incident prevention, incident investigation, regulatory compliance, job safety analysis, hazard identification, audits and behavioral safety observations Review applicability of occupational safety and health regulations and develop strategic path forward to address gap-closure or implementation Communicate with site and corporate ESSH teams, Site Leadership, facility personnel and contractors regarding safety, health and emergency response issues, define requirements, interpret regulations and procedures, and assist to define acceptable solutions Network and work with Operations, Maintenance, Technology, Engineering and Training organizations to translate problems/solutions directly into the stakeholders’ frame of reference, including applying the ability to influence without authority KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Drive continuous development of safety and health knowledge and skills among employees and contractors, including implementation of systems and processes to drive efficiency and improve performance Develop and lead implementation of safe work policies and practices across the site Provide leadership on incident and near miss prevention, root cause analysis and behavioral modification to drive a learning organization Monitor and/or provide training, approval and documentation for contractors and sub-contractors Coordinate, monitor, and provide technical support for safety teams, committees or subgroups Track and analyze key metrics to develop and implement actions based on data/trend analysis Inspect job sites, work crews, facilities, equipment and projects to assist site in maintaining compliance with company safety and health policies and procedures, federal, state and local safety standards, as well as identification and correction of potentially unsafe work conditions and practices Review plant safety and emergency response systems, design of facilities, equipment and processes Conduct self-assessments and compliance audits and develop action plans to close identified gaps Verify that safety-related corrective measures are complete and effective, including recommendations from incident investigations and independent or internal audits Assist in special program efforts such as the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, Responsible CAER, and other regulatory or company programs and initiatives Develop and deliver occupational safety and health training, including assistance and participation in safety meetings Review current and new projects to ensure safety systems and administrative controls are implemented Provide input to the strategic operating plan and the annual operating plan Maintain a favorable image with communities, regulatory agencies and other companies through active involvement with OSHA, TCC, ACC, neighboring facilities, etc. REPORTS TO Sr. ESSH Manager REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Engineering or related technical undergraduate degree preferred 10 years of experience in organic chemical industry, oil refining, industrial manufacturing and/or heavy construction environment Demonstrated commitment to safety practices and standards General Safety Program Management with strong knowledge and understanding of OSHA and other industry related safety regulations required Certification, training and/or working knowledge of the following: OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER, CPR/First Aid, enclosed/confined spaces, elevated work practices Willing and able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) DESIRED CERTIFICATION Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and/or other recognized accredited safety certification Certified Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt or willingness to achieve certification within 12 months Minimum two (2) years of experience leading projects or teams in a chemical process environment REQUIRED SKILLS Proactive leadership and team-building skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization Knowledge of OSHA safety regulations, ANSI standards and other personnel safety practices Working knowledge of incident investigation and analysis tools (Cause Mapping, 5-Why’s, FMEA, etc.) Solid interpersonal, influential, coaching, facilitation and organizational skills with excellent verbal and written communication capabilities Ability and willingness to effectively lead change, influence others and gain commitment to new ways of performing work with all levels in the organization Must be self-motivated, well organized, and able to manage multiple initiatives to successful completion Strong computer skills are required, including sound proficiency with MS Office products Authorization to work in the U.S. on an indefinite basis without sponsorship PREFERRED SKILLS Proficiency with SAP Experience in developing and delivering training Experience with OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Crane, Construction, Traffic and Vehicle Safety Familiarity with Turnaround work processes Knowledge of Fire Protection Systems Industrial hygiene practices Knowledgeable of Process Safety Management elements Project Management experience 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.