Senior Financial Analyst

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 are seeking a Sr. Finance Business Analyst to support Ascend and Guest owned units within our Chocolate Bayou manufacturing site. This position will report directly to the Plant Controller and play a critical role in manufacturing decisions through their analysis and partnership with the Business Unit Leader (BUL) and area manufacturing operations team.

The Sr. Finance Business Analyst will be expected to provide in-depth financial analysis and cost accounting and finance support. Broader responsibilities include generation and analysis of critical business reporting, contract management, ad hoc analysis of expansion opportunities, driving cost improvement programs, and providing key financial advice. The ideal candidate will recommend unique solutions to the manufacturing team based upon requests and observed needs. They will provide key information on historical trends and related analysis at the micro and macro level in support of business decisions and be able to communicate complex concepts in a concise way, encouraging others in the solution of tasks.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Learn and effectively utilize systems (e.g. SAP, BI, etc.), close accounting books without error, and identify areas for improvement.

• Understand general terms and intricacies of Guest contracts to ensure maximum recovery from Guest operations and execute terms without error (e.g. accurate billing)

• Partner with Business Unite Leaders to identify and drive business improvements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Partnering

• Act as business partner to one or more members of the Site Leadership Team to help drive business improvements

• Prepare impactful management information reporting for use by business partners in managing their business and for communicating key results, issues, and challenges to the Plant Manager and Chemicals Business Team

• Create cross functional collaboration and support for key ideas and initiatives by liaising with various cross functional roles such as corporate accounting, procurement, logistics and other financial functions on behalf of the plant and/or business partners

Business Performance Management

• Analyze performance and financials for one or more parts of the plant on a weekly, monthly and annual or ad hoc basis

• Use various information systems such as SAP, BW, BPC and Microsoft Office Suite to extract needed data and turn it into analyzed information, conclusions and recommendations

• Generate scorecards that drive improved performance

• Support and deliver key projects/initiatives with robust analysis, commercial insight and creative problem solving

• Advise business on key financial topics (cash management, tax, accounting, etc.)

• Become Subject Matter Expert (SME) on various financial or business areas

• Manage guest contracts, ensuring maximum recovery from our Guest operations

Reporting and Accounting

• Close the accounting books for the area under responsibility

• Implement and follow sound controls methodologies

• Make correct accounting decisions and recommendations

• Prepare and make accounting entries during the monthly closing process

• Analyze financials to ensure proper classification and correct accounting

TEAM

• Reports to: Plant Controller

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in a Technical area, Business, Finance or Accounting

• Minimum 5 years of experience in cost accounting and business planning

• Prefer experience in Chemical Plant or O&G refinery environments (Military experience to be considered)

• Advance analytical skills

• Proven skills with databased software and ERP packages such as SAP (experience desirable) or JD Edward, Hyperion, BPC or other.

• History in building performance relationships and partnering with those outside of accounting

• Ability to assimilate disparate information to develop detailed analysis and options

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Proactive and willing to get involved in projects outside of comfort level and ability to involve others in the solution process.

• Proven problem solving skills. Ability to break a problem down to its component parts and resolve issues allowing for a solution beneficial to all involved.

• Results oriented and able to keep all stakeholders involved in the progress towards completion of the tasks and be focused on the end game.

• Demonstrated ability to impact and influence others both inside and outside of the function to get to the best solution.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work in a collaborative manner with diverse cross-functional and cross-business teams.

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.