Manufacturing Technology Project Lead (Finance)

Ashland Inc.

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious? Are you always solving? Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Technology Project Lead to join our team of Ashland solvers and will support across all Ashland Business Units to drive growth and profitability. This is a very visible and significant role within the Company and the Operations function. This position will report to the Manufacturing Director- Personal Care.

The Manufacturing Technology Project Lead will leverage an in-depth process and manufacturing background to develop and implement scalable global manufacturing strategies for existing and emerging Ashland technologies.

The Manufacturing Technology Project Lead will work cross-functionally with various Company stakeholders to build SMART manufacturing growth strategies for key products in the innovation pipeline. Manufacturing strategies will require an evaluation of the Company's existing asset capabilities, as well as the identification of new technologies and equipment available externally. This individual will align all technology initiatives with business goals, and provide detailed options for consideration on project cost, timing and cost per unit assumptions.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and execution of manufacturing strategies that align with organizational goals, including identifying and prioritizing value creation opportunities with existing network assets.
• Review of current underutilized asset footprint within existing manufacturing footprint to determine feasibility of adapting emerging process technologies.
• Development of focused and adaptable greenfield and brownfield manufacturing scenarios that will be rolled out regionally to accommodate accelerated volume growth in platform technologies. Will require careful review and recommendation of new external technologies and capabilities to integrate into future network strategy
• Will be responsible for taking the technical leadership role on strategic growth projects and ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Will work cross-functionally (e.g., R&D, process technology, commercial, operations) to ensure technology initiatives are well-integrated and meet business needs.
• Must communicate technical information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Travel: approximately 20%; the ideal candidate will be based in an existing Acetylenics manufacturing location (Calvert City or Texas City).

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related engineering discipline with a strong technical background in continuous flow-related processing equipment and product synthesis.
• Must have strong project management skills and have shown prior execution on projects exceeding $20MM. Must possess a high financial and business analytics acumen. An MBA would be preferred but is not necessary.
• Previous experience with Process Technology Scale-Up activities from R&D setting to commercial execution.
• Strong leadership, excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
• A strong understanding of chemistry and polymerization fundamentals is required.
• Understanding of Capital Project Management and Execution principles
• Demonstrated technical, organizational, and troubleshooting skills.
• Must be comfortable in navigating the unknowns of early-stage project work and act with conviction. High bias for action and demonstrated ability to operate in a high-performance work environment.
• Ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
• The candidates must also be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment if required to work or visit within the manufacturing process area.
• Other physical activities may include walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting 25 lbs., or reaching, depending on the work activity required. Work is performed in an office/plant environment with frequent trips to the operating areas to formulate plans, inspect equipment or processed,s and collect data.

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related engineering discipine, or MBA.
• Demonstrates influential leadership and communication skills; flexible and adaptable to changing business needs
• Able to work effectively across cultures and time zones
• Knowledge of process engineering and improvement tools and Process safety basics.
• Root Cause Investigation experience

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.

Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.

Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.