Procurement Specialist

Title: (Sr.) Procurement Specialist

Location: Pasadena, TX

Who We Are

Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 31 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Why Kuraray

Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment.

Position Summary

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives aligned with company objectives to provide sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable materials and services to Kuraray's businesses. The Procurement Specialist role involves identifying and qualifying new suppliers that meet Kuraray's requirements, while continuously developing market intelligence to inform top-tier strategies. The Procurement Specialist will also represent Kuraray in negotiations and work closely with diverse business teams to implement sourcing programs and strategies enabled by third-party goods and services. The Procurement Specialist also includes overseeing supplier performance, managing contracts, and driving process improvements that contribute to long-term cost savings and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that drive process improvements, enhance service/product delivery, and achieve sustainable cost savings.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment with business requirements and sourcing objectives.
• Negotiate favorable terms and deliver savings to meet business needs.
• Lead contract management, ensuring compliance with terms, monitoring supplier performance, and managing post-award activities including purchase orders and vendor relations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market dynamics, cost drivers, and labor rates that may impact strategic buying decisions.
• Conduct data analysis and research to inform procurement strategies and report key insights to management.
• Collaborate closely with supply chain, operations, and logistics teams, ensuring procurement strategies are aligned with business priorities.
• Communicate regularly with internal stakeholders and management at all levels to provide updates on procurement activities.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of suppliers based on quality, service, cost, capability, and compliance with the supplier onboarding process.
• Address and resolve any issues related to quality, service, safety, and supply with suppliers.
• Provide early involvement in procurement planning for key projects and business priorities, ensuring that strategic sourcing is considered from the outset.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, with the ability to quickly prioritize and drive results.
• Identify inefficiencies in existing processes, systems, and procedures, and implement improvements using established change management practices.
• Continuously evaluate and refine procurement processes to enhance overall effectiveness.
• Organize, prepare, and present complex procurement reports. Gather and summarize data for special reports, tracking and presenting accomplishments and key metrics.
• Ensure adherence to compliance and audit standards, reporting any instances of noncompliance with policies, procedures, or regulations.
• Address and resolve complex incidents with suppliers to maintain supplier performance and mitigate risks.
• Support and collaborate with the Global Raw Materials Procurement team, ensuring alignment with global sourcing strategies and initiatives.
• Use strategic planning systems and protocols to support the development of long-term procurement goals.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement across procurement practices and processes.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or Sourcing
• Minimum of 3-5 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management
• Proven track record of successful negotiations and supplier management.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills, with experience in multicultural and international environments.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in commodity management and sourcing, including MRO, Site Services, Capital Projects, and Turnarounds.
• Proficiency in SAP, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Experience with SAP Business Queries and data analysis to inform decision-making.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
• Ability to multi-task
• Candidates must have a valid driver's license.
  
  

Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Business Insight
• Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Cultivates Innovation
• Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.

• Action Oriented
• Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Ensures Accountability
• Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Drives Results
• Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstance
• Collaborates
• Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Difference
• Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Communicates Effectively
• Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage
• Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Instills Trust
• Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability
• Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
  

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base pay and an annual incentive. This program is designed to reward individual performance and align overall rewards with corporate and team performance.

Our employees benefit from a robust healthcare package that includes wellness reimbursements, along with generous perks such as three weeks of paid time off, ten company holidays, paid parental leave, education reimbursement, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.

Learn more at kuraray.us.com/careers/

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

No third-party candidates accepted.