Safety Specialist

  • Pensacola
  • Ascend Performance Materials
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.

Ascend is currently seeking a talented individual to be a part of our Environmental, Safety, Security and Health (ESSH) team at our Pensacola Plant located in Cantonment, FL. The ideal candidate will be responsible for assisting the site to drive to achieve best-in-class occupational safety performance while maintaining compliance with applicable OSHA safety regulations.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

The Safety Specialist is responsible for comprehensive safety activities with an understanding of OSHA standards for general industry, data analysis, and reporting of ESSH data to key stakeholders. The position works in conjunction with the Safety/IH/Medical Service Manager to develop, implement, and monitor programs for all safety standards, systems, and work processes. The Safety Specialists creates value by facilitating risk assessments and works with our employees to develop solutions to mitigate or eliminate risks that meet or exceed regulatory, company, and industry standards.

  • Assist the manager - Safety/IH/Medical Services with tasks to assure compliance and reduce the risk of incidents
  • Works closely with his/her manager and team to deliver and maintain VPP status
  • Participate in emerging issues identification, analysis, and resolution
  • Participate as a core member of the site ESSH team in any other capacity necessary to maintain and improve ESSH programs, policies, systems, and initiatives for the site and/or company
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Identifies and corrects unsafe behaviors or conditions when observed
  • Perform safety housekeeping audits as directed/needed
  • Act as the incident data management lead to analyze and report out key ESSH statistics
  • Perform LOTO, fall protection, confined space entry permit, etc. audits as directed/needed
  • Assist with Pre-Start Up Safety Reviews (PSSR's) as needed
  • Coach, mentor, audit, and train to the site's Hazard Recognition Plus™ (HRP) risk mitigation process
  • Learn and become an HRP coach, perform HRP audits, and coach at every opportunity
  • Deliver safety related training for new hires and current site employees as required
  • Support with reviewing and updating documents controlled by the Safety department (procedures, forms, etc.)
REPORTS TO

Site Safety/Industrial Hygiene/Medical Services Manager

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor of Science degree in safety related field
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in organic chemical industry, oil refining, industrial manufacturing and/or heavy construction environment working as a degreed safety specialist
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety and health practices and standards
  • General safety program management with strong knowledge and understanding of OSHA and other industry related safety regulations required
DESIRED CERTIFICATION
  • Should have a desire and be in position to eventually obtain the CSP designation
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Basic knowledge of OSHA Regulations to include (confined space, LOTO, Recordability, fall protection, NFPA 70E, etc.)
  • Proactive leadership and team-building skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization, including contractors
  • 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
  • Demonstrated ability to enhance employee engagement in safety programs
  • 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
PREFERRED SKILLS
  • Previous experience with OSHA VPP
  • Previous experience with Decision Point HRP™ process
  • Previous experience with SAP, J5, and/or SharePoint is a plus
  • Working knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and Continuous Improvement tools


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.