All Positions Archives | Ascend Elements

Communications Manager

Ascend Elements (AE) is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

The Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing all communications initiatives for the organization, including the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy. This role ensures consistent messaging across internal and external channels, strengthens brand visibility, and builds strong relationships with media and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be located in the Atlanta, Georgia, or Houston, Texas area.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Partner with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to refine and communicate the corporate mission and vision.

Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy that promotes and protects the corporate brand.

Direct corporate communications across online and print platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter/X, industry publications, and other media.

Oversee the corporate website to ensure clear messaging, user-friendly navigation, and relevant, up-to-date content.

Manage internal communications programs to provide timely, transparent, and consistent information to employees.

Serve as the primary corporate spokesperson, responding to media inquiries and preparing press releases.

Build and maintain strong professional relationships with journalists, editors, and other media representatives.

Support executives with speeches, presentations, and other corporate communications.

Provide guidance on clarity, design, and messaging for the corporation’s annual report in collaboration with Finance and Accounting.

Manage the communications budget effectively.

Establish policies and best practices to improve efficiency and strengthen brand consistency across all communication channels.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Other Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, or related field.

7–10 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, including supervisory experience.

Prior experience in the battery materials industry is strongly preferred.

Exceptional verbal, written, and editorial skills, with the ability to write in a professional journalistic style.

Strong media relations expertise and ability to advise senior leadership.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related tools.

Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.

Proven leadership, team management, and project coordination abilities.

Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.

Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

I&E Technician

Covington, GA

Ascend Elements® is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. The results are lower cost, better performing batteries, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. This closed-loop process also allows for fewer end-of-life batteries being discarded in landfills. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

Job Summary: The Instrumentation and Electrical Technician will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation, electrical systems, control systems, and computer data systems. This role requires a versatile technician with expertise in multiple disciplines to ensure the efficient operation of our facilities and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

- Install, maintain, and repair electrical, instrumentation, and control systems equipment.
- Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance on electrical systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve electrical and instrumentation issues.
- Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Monitor and adjust control systems to optimize performance.
- Diagnose and repair control system malfunctions.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to implement control system upgrades.
- Install, configure, and maintain computer hardware and software systems.
- Monitor network performance and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
- Ensure data integrity and security through regular backups and updates.
- Provide technical support to end-users and resolve IT-related issues.

Desired Qualifications:

Education:

Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation Technology, or a related field.

Technical Diploma in Electronics or Electrical Systems.

Certifications:

Certified Instrumentation Technician (CIT): Demonstrates expertise in installing, troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing instrumentation systems.

Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST): Focuses on control systems and their maintenance.

Electrical Technician Certification: Covers electrical principles and safety procedures.

PLC Programming Certification: Provides knowledge in programmable logic controllers, which are essential for control systems.

CompTIA A+ Certification: Validates skills in computer hardware and software, useful for maintaining computer data systems.

Additional Qualifications:

Apprenticeship Program: Practical experience through hands-on training.

Safety Training: Knowledge of safety standards and regulations.

Physical Requirements:

Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.

Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs

While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.

Ability to work at height, in man lifts, climb ladders, and stand and/or walk for extended periods.

Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

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Senior Plant Cost Accountant

Covington, GA

Ascend Element is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

Senior Plant Cost Accountant – Covington, GA – Ascend Elements is currently experiencing growth and therefore is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Plant Cost Accountant to join our team at our Covington manufacturing facility. The Senior Plant Cost Accountant will play a critical role in overseeing all financial activities at the plant level, providing valuable insights to drive business performance, and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures. The role reports to the Corporate Controller and collaborates with and supports the Covington Plant Leadership team. This position is on-site at our Covington, GA, office.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting for the Covington facility.

Perform the monthly closing activities for the Covington facility, including the preparation of monthly journal entries and collaboration with the corporate accounting and financial planning and analysis teams to provide accurate and timely financial data and support ad-hoc reporting requests.

Responsible for the accuracy of the standard costs starting with the bill of materials and item costs, labor routings, labor rates, as well as overhead assignments.

Develop and maintain standard costs and prepare variance analysis reports for inventory, manufacturing costs, and standard cost variances.

Analyzes and models changes in product design, raw materials, overhead, manufacturing methods, etc., for effects on production costs.

Analyze and report manufacturing efficiency variances and determine corrective action requirements. Ensures items are correctly classified and all reporting is prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Responsible for estimating, tracking, and reporting costs associated with new product development and contract manufacturing partners.

Proactive analysis of plant performance metrics and variances (budget/forecast vs. actuals) and communication of issues and opportunities to operations management.

Develops additional metrics and tracking system for major cost drivers.

Communicate/educate internal and external stakeholders regarding the cost data.

Partner with Plant Manager to develop and implement strategies to optimize operational efficiency and profitability.

Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.

Provides independent oversight of inventory management to ensure accurate physical levels and alignment with the accounting systems and reported amounts.

Work with manufacturing and logistics teams to conduct cycle counts and year-end physical inventory.

May perform other duties as required.

Ideal Profile:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA, CMA, or advance degree preferred.

Minimum of five years of experience in a similar role within the manufacturing industry, experience in a start-up company and/or in the chemical sector is highly desirable.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems, experience with SAP (Cloud4/Hana) required.

Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and experience with manufacturing cost analysis.

Results oriented focused, excellence in execution approach.

Proven track record of driving process improvements and implementing best practices in financial management and cost accounting.

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Ability to prioritize and work independently on a variety of assignments with minimal supervision.

Ability to accurately determine deadlines.

Commutable distance within the Covington/Atlanta area (5 days / week in office)

Head of Recycling

Covington, GA

Driven by the legislation in US and North America and general drive for sustainability within the automotive sector AE is seeing a dramatic growth in new business & strategic collaboration opportunities. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as the Head of Recycling. This position will lead all recycling operations across North America and Europe, including oversight of AE’s joint venture in Europe. The role will be responsible for full P&L management, feedstock sourcing, byproduct sales, strategic planning, import/export compliance and permitting and expansion initiatives, including M&A and investments.

Primary Responsibilities

Build and manage a high performing team that effectively operates within a matrix organization throughout AE and affiliated entities.

Oversee the implementation of recycling operations processes.

Generate and leverage a network of relationships with EOL battery collectors and production scrap decision makers.

Deliver profitable and stable stream of feedstock for US and EU operations.

Develop by-product off-take arrangements and contracts.

Develop and execute a strategy for recycling operations growth.

Oversee operations in NA and EU, including delivering and reporting P&L.

Develop and maintain permitting compliance for hazardous material (feedstock and Black Mass) shipments between NA, EU and Asia regions.

Develop and execute business and financial models.

Lead or support negotiations for key commercial agreements, including feedstock supply, byproduct offtake, partnerships, and service contracts.

Work with the strategy team to support expansion activities including Joint Ventures and M&A initiatives.

Lead annual budgeting and long-term revenue forecasting.

Qualifications & Experience:

Extensive experience in a business development leadership role within battery material or battery recycling sector.

Demonstrated success in feedstock sourcing and byproduct commercialization.

Experience with regulatory permitting, logistics, and supply chain optimization.

Proven experience with full P&L ownership and operational scaling.

Skilled in contract negotiation and developing commercial agreements.

Experience with financial modeling, business case development, and strategic planning.

Knowledge of M&A processes and investment evaluation preferred.

Hands-on, detailed oriented leader who promotes a lean culture oriented towards action and results delivery.

Experience developing and managing a team in an ever-changing environment.

Experience and track record of performance for a start-up / scale up organization would be an advantage.

Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in an occasionally high-pressure environment.

Proactive, solution-orientation with exceptional judgment and creativity. Ability to think strategically, appropriately weighing commercial, financial and business objectives.