Production/Materials Assistant

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

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 Logistics, Production & Materials Assistant II to join Ashland, Inc., Life Sciences business at our Wilmington, Aquarius film coating manufacturing plant. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the logistics function. This position will report to the Plant Manager.

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

• Schedules product shipping based on product availability, manpower, plant schedules and customer requirements for customer order allocations.
• Coordinates packaged raw material procurement in advance to ensure requirements are staged and ready to meet production plans.  Raises concerns for potential material shortages to operations and supervision. Takes lead to work directly with vendors and Ashland procurement to resolve problems then determine alternate sourcing options.
• Understands, abides by, and stays current on DOT regulations and procedures.
• Contacts carrier representative to schedule shipping arrangements and issue shipping instructions.
• Tracks product quality release and communicates progress through production, quality assurance testing, and booking.
• Investigates problems, recommends alternative solutions, and implements corrective action items assigned through customer complaint responses.
• Processes customer and distribution center product returns.
• Works with Quality Assurance team closely for material to be reworked or reclassified into another grade of material if does not meet specifications for sales which may involve release of material after due date has passed.
• Processes reclasses required for special requests.
• Provides timely, accurate and thorough tracking of on-time shipping performance, delinquent order trends, and other service-related metrics.
• Responds to and assists in resolving quality customer inquiries and complaints as assigned.
• Serves as backup support for departmental staff as needed.
• Performs departmental related duties as assigned to ensure efficient and effective operation.
• Sends SAP reports to Environmental Specialist and/or applicable employees. 
• Facilitates shipping of finished goods product from manufacturing plant to storage warehouse then tracks and coordinates release of products with Quality Assurance to release to customers.  Assists with inventory accuracy investigations as requested.
• Conducts monthly cycle counts of inventory.
• Orders shipping supplies/materials as needed. 
• Electronically scans and files all documents as per records retention requirements and guidelines.

• Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety.
• Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others.

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

• Two (2) years of logistics experience in manufacturing facility.
• Proven DOT experience exemplifying safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of chemicals manufactured.
• Proven SAP or similar database experience in a chemical manufacturing facility. 
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills along with the ability to clearly communicate and relate to employees at all levels of the organization.  
• Able to 1) identify critical issues and formulate action plans with all levels of management, including Corporate, 2) develop and foster a positive work environment at all levels, and 3) resolve conflicts through problem resolution skills. 
• Exceptional work planning and problem-solving skills to identify quality improvement opportunities to formulate action plans into implementation.
• Well organized, able to work independently as a self-starter with minimal supervision while keeping management informed. 
• Possess flexibility to adjust to rapidly changing work priorities while prioritizing work and responsibilities to accommodate changes as needed.
• Ability to remain calm if site emergency occurs, then respond appropriately as directed by Site Eme