Procurement Specialist-2025

Procurement Specialist

Location : Houston, 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. This position will be a Hybrid / Remote position (2 days per week in the office / 3 days per week remote).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Planning
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that drive continuous improvement, service excellence, and sustainable cost savings.
• Conduct market analysis to stay informed on trends, cost drivers, and labor rates that may impact sourcing decisions.
• Provide early procurement involvement in key projects to ensure sourcing considerations are embedded from the start.
• Use planning systems and protocols to support long-term procurement goals.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and process optimization across procurement activities.
• Supplier Relationship and Contract Management
• Lead the selection, evaluation, and onboarding of suppliers based on quality, cost, service, compliance, and capability.
• Manage key supplier relationships to ensure alignment with business needs and performance expectations.
• Negotiate favorable terms and manage contract lifecycles, including post-award activities, purchase orders, and ongoing vendor relations.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues related to quality, service, safety, and supply disruptions.
• Address and mitigate complex supplier incidents to maintain strong supplier performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with supply chain, operations, logistics, and other internal teams to ensure procurement strategies support business goals.
• Collaborate with the Global Raw Materials Procurement team to align local strategies with global sourcing initiatives.
• Serve as a key liaison to internal stakeholders at all levels, providing regular updates on procurement initiatives and outcomes.
• Process Improvement and Compliance
• Identify inefficiencies in procurement systems, processes, or procedures and lead improvement initiatives using change management best practices.
• Continuously assess and refine procurement processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure adherence to audit, compliance, and regulatory standards, reporting any deviations or risks appropriately.