<p>COMPANY OVERVIEW</p> <p>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. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.</p> <p>POSITION OVERVIEW</p> <p>Ascend is currently searching for a Buyer to support the APM site located in Cantonment, FL and will be physically located at the site in a hybrid and flexible capacity. The buyer is a key member of the Procurement organization, working alongside the Site Procurement Lead and Purchase Order Specialists as the initial contact and critical link between the procurement function and the business units. The primary responsibility of this role is to source and negotiate purchase requests from functional stakeholders and award to prospective suppliers. To successfully accomplish this goal, the Buyer must gain market insight, evaluate, and analyze the supply base, negotiate pricing and terms, and place the purchase order with the right supplier for the job every time.</p> <p>The Buyer will advise and assist as a subject matter expert to the business, serving as the intake specialist, evaluating, directing, and/or processing internal employee purchase requests for goods and services. A successful person in this role will have a continuous improvement mindset, strong cross functional team experience and seek to exceed our service level commitments to our stakeholders and investigate opportunities to be better every day. We are seeking a driven, detail-oriented Buyer that wants to join a challenging, fast-paced environment, where every team member's contribution makes a difference.</p> <p>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <ul> <li> <p>Manages purchase order execution and product/service delivery, including placement of on-time schedule agreements, mitigation of billing adjustments / terminations and execution of cost reduction goals.</p> </li><li> <p>Select and negotiate with approved vendors, in addition, substitute items within pre-approved guidelines.</p> </li><li> <p>Under general supervision, manage various aspects of supplier relationships, including negotiations, delivery and quality performance, cost and inventory management, and customer satisfaction.</p> </li><li> <p>Drive supplier relationship management and is responsible for improving KPIs.</p> </li><li> <p>Review bids and contracts with Purchase Order Specialists, Site Procurement Leaders, Commodity Managers and Area Job Representatives before strategic orders are placed.</p> </li><li> <p>Actively drive supplier improvement activities and supplier program reviews.</p> </li><li> <p>Recommend new developments in materials and supplies, as well as service providers.</p> </li><li> <p>Foster active daily use of continuous improvement tools to improve safety, quality, delivery, financial performance, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.</p> </li><li> <p>Conduct all business activities in accordance with company Health, Safety and Environmental policies, legal compliance requirements and core values.</p> </li><li> <p>Administers special projects and additional tasks as assigned.</p> </li></ul> <p>REPORTS TO</p> <p>Procurement Manager</p> <p>REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS</p> <ul> <li> <p>Minimum 7 years of purchasing experience with strong negotiation experience related to service and materials procurement.</p> </li><li> <p>Bachelor's Degree in supply chain management, finance, business administration, or related field.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrates application of stand-alone knowledge of purchasing practices, principles, and procedures.</p> </li><li> <p>In depth experience with SAP purchasing systems required.</p> </li><li> <p>Proficiency in analyzing and presenting statistical data.</p> </li><li> <p>Advanced knowledge of MS Office applications, including advanced level knowledge of Excel.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrate effective use of verbal and written communication skills paired with strong organizational and time management skills.</p> </li><li> <p>Adept at balancing multiple projects in a challenging, fast-paced work environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Proactive; internal drive to meet goals continuously and successfully.</p> </li></ul> <p>DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS</p> <ul> <li> <p>Experience in procurement, sourcing, or related supply chain function.</p> </li><li> <p>Professional APICS/ISM/CIPS certification or working toward your certification is a definite plus.</p> </li><li> <p>Certification in Lean and or Six Sigma.</p> </li><li> <p>Cross-functional project experience.</p> </li><li> <p>Chemicals industry experience.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience in a manufacturing environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience in ECC production in SAP.</p> </li><li> <p>Strong financial acumen.</p> </li></ul> <p>REQUIRED TIME COMMITTMENTS</p> <ul> <li> <p>10% Travel; Quarterly Meetings and some supplier visits</p> </li><li> <p>Flexibility to work non-standard hours for international support as needed.</p> </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>Skills Summary:</p> <p>About Us:</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Why work at Ascend?</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>