Head of Recycling
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.
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.
This position reports to the SVP Commercial.
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.
- Experience collaborating across departments (operations, sales, R&D, and supply chain) to ensure operational goals align with recycling strategy.
- Excellent oral and written communication, as well as interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
Work Environment
- Fast-paced, hands-on, start-up type environment.
- Frequent travel throughout North America and occasional travel to Europe. (25-30%)
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.
