Corporate Positions Archives

Human Resources Manager

Westborough, MA

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 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 Human Resources Manager will play a vital role in driving the HR strategy across all aspects of the employee lifecycle. Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, the HR Manager will be both strategic and operational, responsible for managing critical HR operational functions and ensuring a highly effective and efficient experience including compensation & benefits, workforce planning, performance management, employee relations, compliance, learning & development, and strategic initiatives. This role is crucial in enhancing scalable processes, fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring delivery of HR strategies.

This is a hybrid position with an on-site component at our Westborough, MA offices.

Responsibilities:

Compensation & Benefits

Develop and manage salary structures, incentive plans, and job evaluation processes to ensure fair and competitive pay.

Manage administration of employee insurance plans, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and perks that support employee well-being.

Proactively monitor the effectiveness of existing compensation and benefit practices through benchmarking; recommend changes that are cost effective and consistent with market trends and corporate objectives.

Act as a primary point of contact for compensation and benefit requests. Consult employees and business leaders on job evaluations, policy interpretations, benefit related questions and pay decisions.

Act as primary contact for benefit providers, brokers, and consultants to ensure quality service and optimal plan administration.

Performance Management

Establish performance evaluation process and feedback mechanisms that drive strong performance and enhance employee development.

Coach and develop managers to set and manage performance goals, provide feedback and develop their teams.

Identify training and development needs, develop skill-building workshops and programs as appropriate.

Employee Relations

Provide advice and consultation to employees and management, including coaching and counseling on performance management issues, conflict management, interpretation of employment policies and resolution.

Conduct and resolve investigations regarding employee complaints and concerns.

Compliance

Perform regular internal audits and reporting to ensure compliance with federal, state and provider regulatory requirements.

Strategic HR Initiatives

Develop initiatives to enhance employee engagement and retention.

Assist with the aggregation, preparation and maintenance of HR metrics, reports and analysis of key performance indicators, such as employee turnover, engagement and performance metrics.

Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, drive process improvement and inform strategic decisions.

Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes for increased efficiency and improved employee experience.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration or other related field, preferred.

5+ years of experience in Human Resources.

Experience with employee relations, compliance, talent management, compensation analysis, performance management and learning and development.

Comprehensive understanding of HR compliance, reporting, and regulatory requirements a plus.

Proficiency in benefits administration and compensation analysis and design, including salary benchmarking, incentive plan design and benefit effectiveness.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate across all levels of the organization.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders.

Ability to handle situations with a high sense of urgency and service focus, excellent organizational and analytical skills.

Ability to adapt and lead through change in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Ability to exercise good judgment in conflict resolution, problem solving and decision-making.

Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.

Ability to work independently, take initiative and demonstrate end-to-end ownership.

Excellent customer service and vendor management skills.

Proficiency in HRIS, data analysis and compensation/benefits tools.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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.

Project Controls Engineer

Hopkinsville, KY

We are currently hiring a Project Controls Engineer! This role will be responsible for providing detailed conceptual estimates from pre-construction schematic and design documents and detailed construction estimates from construction plans and specifications. Project scopes are generally less than $50 million or for designated components on large, complex projects.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Develop and implement the project controls execution plan, ensuring alignment with cost management best practices

Participate in the project estimating process, ensuring that project cost estimates align with contractual requirements and scope.

Defining and structure the Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) in financial and progress systems.

Ensure cost coding system is properly applied, and information flow is correct and complete

Cost Tracking and Monitoring

Establish and maintain cost control systems to track actual expenditures against budgets and commitments.

Analyze and interpret cost trends, performance metrics, and cost variances.

Monitor actual progress vs. planned progress, including engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, and commissioning status.

Provide timely and accurate Cost and Progress Measurement Data, ensuring the accuracy of project cost forecasting

Earned Value Management (EVM) & Progress Measurement

Demonstrate understanding and application of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles for measuring project performance.

Set up and maintain the progress measurement system, ensuring accurate tracking of project milestones and deliverables.

Ensure that Issued for Construction (IFC) quantity take-offs are properly tied to turnover systems.

Audit quantity take-offs and reported installed quantities for consistency with project progress reports.

Forecasting and Financial Control

Develop and maintain the cost forecasting system and cost reports, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Prepare project cash flows and cost spread analysis.

Undertake monthly cost forecasting and trend analysis, identifying deviations and proposing corrective actions.

Monitor and analyze committed costs, actual vs. budget performance, and cost productivity metrics.

Change Management and Risk Control

Support change management efforts, including developing cost estimates for change verification.

Monitor variations from the original scope of work, capturing and assessing related impacts on costs and schedule.

Assist with contract amendments, ensuring cost implications are properly documented and managed.

Reporting and Communication

Prepare and present project cost reports and variance analysis reports to project stakeholders.

Support accounting with cost-to-billings reconciliations and invoicing reviews.

Provide accurate and timely reporting on cost and progress measurement data to management.

Generate spreadsheet and PowerBI analysis reports for cost and progress management review.

Procurement and Subcontractor Cost Management

Work closely with procurement and subcontract management teams to verify progress and earned value against invoices received.

Ensure the cost coding system is properly applied and information flow is complete.

Monitor cost commitments related to material procurement and subcontractor services.

Support the Subcontract Management team in tracking variations and processing accruals.

Compliance and Best Practices

Adhere to internal project control processes and ensure compliance with industry cost management best practices.

Ensure that financial processes align with contractual requirements and project scope.

Participate in the closeout report data collection, ensuring lessons learned and cost control insights are documented for future projects.

Support the professional development of junior project controls personnel, providing mentorship and guidance.

Education:

Bachelor s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, or related field required and 4+ years of related experience or completion of an Associates degree and 5+ years of related experience. Where related experience is defined as experience in cost control, project controls, or financial management in an engineering, construction, or manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and project financial controls.

Proficiency in cost control, planning and ERP software and tools (e.g., Primavera P6, SAP, Excel, PowerBI).

Strong proficiency in PowerBi, including data integration, DAX and creating dashboards.

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide cost-saving recommendations.

Strong analytical and logic skills with the ability to maintain a high degree of precision on detailed work.

Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under time constraints.

Demonstrated integrity and ethical standards.

Developed skills (written, oral, and listening) to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build successful and lasting relationships.

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Vice President of Projects

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.

The Vice President of Projects is a member of the Company’s senior management team and is responsible for key value creation activities in the company. The candidate will have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future success of the company by providing outstanding managerial and technical leadership in project delivery. This is a pivotal leadership role that will directly impact our ability to scale operations and requires a leader with extensive experience in materials / chemical engineering, project management, production management and cross-functional collaboration. This position will report directly to the President.

Location: Covington, GA or Hopkinsville, KY

Key Responsibilities

Lead expert project management and coordination to ensure we have the expertise, resources, and capacity to achieve project target

Work cross-functionally with Health & Safety, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain and Plant Operations to ensure alignment on project objectives and resource allocation, provide visibility to overall project plans and delivery, and drive execution

Establish project management standard operating practice (SOP) and project management standard for all Ascend Elements products

Utilize the best practice methods to provide expert project delivery and technical delivery across various initiatives

Provide leadership and direction to the in-house Project Management function as well as to any outsourced project partners

Oversee all projects, ensuring timely completion, adherence to budgets, and alignment with quality standards

Responsible for shaping and executing the functional strategy to achieve key business objectives of the Company

Deliver safe, high-quality projects which deliver material return for the company

Ensure conformance with standard operating practices, business controls as well as compliance with regulatory standards

Oversee project assurance from project award to commissioning and start-up

Leadership

Lead a high-performing team of project managers, engineers and controls professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, cost efficiency, continuous improvement and delivery

Lead through multiple levels of managers of diverse activities

Evaluate key business challenges, direct the development of new or innovative solutions

Mentor and coach future leaders

Problem Solving

Drive the resolution of complex project or unusual business problems

Balance the challenges of financial, quality and schedule to optimize the long-term return for the company

Develop and manage project budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality and performance

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Project Management or a related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

20+ years of experience in project management, with a focus on battery materials, energy or related industries. Experience with EPC a plus.

Big company and small company experience, a plus. Proven track record of leading large-scale projects, particularly in the construction of manufacturing facilities or mega plants.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

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

Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Excellent analytical skills, ability to display and exercise sound judgment

Applies in-depth knowledge of project management, manufacturing, safety, quality standards, inspection and testing to ensure strong manufacturing and operational performance

Demonstrated record of diligence and attention to detail working with very high standards both personally and technically

What We Offer

Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

Participation in the Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP).

Opportunity to lead business-critical projects of a high growth company in a new high growth industry

A collaborative and innovative work environment dedicated to sustainability

Planner/Scheduler

Hopkinsville, KY

We are currently hiring a Planner / Scheduler! This role will be responsible for providing detailed conceptual estimates from pre-construction schematic and design documents and detailed construction estimates from construction plans and specifications. Project scopes are generally less than $50 million or for designated components on large, complex projects.

Job Overview

The Planner/Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring project schedules to support the successful execution of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) battery recycling projects. This role involves applying industry best practices in planning and scheduling to ensure effective resource allocation, progress tracking, and critical path management.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a solid command of Primavera P6, and the ability to assess project trends while proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies. The Planner/Scheduler will work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, providing essential scheduling insights that drive efficiency and timely project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Scheduling

Develop and maintain logically linked Level 3 and Level 4 EPCC schedules, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Prepare predecessor and successor relationships in accordance with best scheduling practices and precedence flow diagrams.

Integrate EPCC activities into a fully resource-loaded and logically sequenced project schedule.

Develop and monitor the project baseline schedule, tracking variances and providing recovery plans when necessary.

Utilize earned value management (EVM) techniques to measure project progress and forecast potential deviations.

Resource & Progress Management

Generate workforce histograms, progress curves, and quantity tracking reports to ensure proper resource allocation.

Resource load and level schedules to efficiency and prevent bottlenecks.

Support work package planning efforts, identifying required resources, materials, tools, and equipment for timely execution.

Track and report schedule compliance, analyzing key performance factors and deviations from baseline.

Schedule Risk & Critical Path Analysis

Conduct critical path method (CPM) analysis, identifying potential delays and recommending mitigation measures.

Evaluate schedule risks and constraints that could impact project delivery, developing contingency plans as needed.

Lead schedule review meetings and facilitate detailed multi-discipline scope reviews to ensure alignment across teams.

Monitor and analyze project schedule variations based on historical data and current trends, providing proactive recommendations for improvement.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Reporting

Act as the primary schedule liaison between engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning teams.

Work closely with project managers and functional leads to ensure schedule alignment with project execution plans.

Provide regular schedule reports, dashboards, and data visualizations for management and key stakeholders.

Mentor junior planners, providing guidance on best scheduling practices and software utilization.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Qualifications:

Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in project management, Engineering, Construction, Business Management, or a related field.

5-7 years of experience in project planning and scheduling for large-scale projects (EPC, EPCM, etc).

Expertise in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, with experience integrating schedules across multiple disciplines.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (curves, histograms, dynamic tables, formulas, and reporting).

Strong understanding of earned value management (EVM), resource leveling, and forecasting techniques.

Ability to analyze and interpret scheduling data to drive informed decision-making.

Experience in conducting schedule risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies.

Knowledge of construction and fabrication processes, including work packaging and installation sequencing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certification in Primavera P6, PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional), or AACE PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional).

Experience in battery recycling, renewable energy, or industrial construction projects.

Knowledge of cost control and its integration with scheduling functions.

Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to schedule optimization and risk mitigation.

Key Competencies & Skills

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Ability to assess scheduling issues, anticipate challenges, and develop practical solutions.

Attention to Detail – Ensure accuracy and completeness in schedule development and tracking.

Analytical & Data Interpretation Skills – Ability to assess project performance through schedule analytics.

Strong Communication & Collaboration – Engage effectively with cross-functional teams and present complex scheduling data in a clear and actionable manner.