Product Steward

Title: Product Steward

Location: LaPorte, 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 32 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 Product Steward is responsible for ensuring that PVOH and VAM products comply with internal standards and global regulatory requirements across their lifecycle-from development and manufacturing to distribution and end use. This role supports regulatory submissions, product safety documentation, sustainability initiatives, and stewardship programs for products manufactured in the USA and Japan. The Product Steward collaborates globally to maintain compliance, contributes to audits (ISO, GMP, Responsible Care), and leads efforts in sustainability, risk management, and advocacy.

Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Stewardship

• Lead regulatory compliance strategies and submissions for TSCA (including NOA-B, CDR), FDA, REACH, Health Canada, ANVISA, and other regional authorities.
• Maintain and update Safety Data Sheets (SDS), product literature, and regulatory documentation using systems such as 3E Protect.
• Conduct Product Stewardship Reviews (PSRs) and Assessments (PSAs) for VAM and PVOH, integrating compliance and sustainability into product development.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for all PVOH units and oversee product labeling and packaging approvals.
• Coordinate regulatory risk assessments and testing strategies to support market entry and customer requirements.
  
  

Sustainability & Environmental Leadership

• Support bio-based certification efforts for PVOH and VAM and respond to Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) inquiries.
• Embed environmental compliance, responsible sourcing, and sustainability metrics into product lifecycle and business strategies.
• Represent the company in advocacy efforts by serving as a Board Member of the Vinyl Acetate Council.
  
  

Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Legal, R&D, and Technical Services to address product stewardship issues and ensure regulatory support for customer needs.
• Support the global PS&R team on international product registrations, compliance alignment, and knowledge-sharing.
• Lead or support internal/external audits (ISO9001, IATF16949, GMP, Responsible Care), and provide TSCA Import Certification training.
  
  

Trade Compliance & Documentation

• Serve as Import/Export Administrator for PVOH-related compliance.
• Manage submission of TSCA CDR and CDX and support legal extensions of trade rulings (e.g., USITC Anti-Dumping).
• Prepare customer compliance responses and maintain traceability of product composition, including confidential supplier disclosures.
  
  

Training, Advocacy & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct training on stewardship and regulatory best practices for internal teams.
• Stay current with regulatory trends through education, industry participation, and certifications.
• Drive process improvement in documentation standards and compliance workflows.
  
  

Travel

• 20% travel domestically and internationally
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters or PhD. degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Toxicology, Legal, or related field
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in product stewardship, regulatory affairs, or chemical compliance.
• Deep knowledge of global chemical regulations (TSCA, REACH, FDA, ANVISA, etc.).
• PSX and/or SCHC certifications are a plus
• Demonstrated experience leading audits, interfacing with regulatory authorities, and guiding cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and commercial functions.
• 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 Employment Opportunity/disability/protected veteran status

No third-party candidates accepted.