Title: Supply Chain Specialist (Transportation)
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 Supply Chain Specialist (Transportation) role is responsible for the procurement and administration of Kuraray America, Inc.'s domestic trucking for finished goods. The Supply Chain Specialist will assist the Procurement team with the movement of raw materials and supplies from vendor site to Kuraray North America sites.
The Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for courier network and oversight of railcar activities. The Supply Chain Specialist acts as a liaison between KAI's logistics team and our valued transportation service companies. The Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for developing and driving a strategy for sourcing, qualifying, contracting, and managing the transportation partners who will provide the best option for any transportation need our customer may have on-time, intact, and at the best price.
This position represents KAI in negotiations and works with diverse business teams to develop and implement transportation strategies for each business unit and location Integral member of logistics team who works to support departmental objectives, projects, and cross functional support. The Supply Chain Specialist will work closely with vendors to build quality SOP's, efficient electronic communications, and seeks out opportunities for improvement.
Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize complex supply chain solutions for internal and external customers.
• Responsible for courier network and oversight of railcar activities
• Lead strategic sourcing and RFx events to procure logistics services.
• Acts as an escalation point for any transportation issues and designs creative solutions to meet the needs of the customer.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with internal Kuraray business units and vendors.
• Negotiate rates and contracts with vendors.
• Develops and maintains market intelligence to support strategies and drive technological advancements.
• Generates quality metrics, analysis, budget, and reporting.
• Serve as escalation point for shipping issues.
• Develop and implement vendor performance management programs.
• Improve supply chain performance (cost and quality) through process standardization and application of best practices.
• Maximize vendor performance using data analysis, collaboration, and cooperative innovation.
• Raise KAI's profitability by reducing logistical costs, controlling risks, and improving customer service.
• Improve logistical procedures for accuracy and efficiency.
• Create and monitor budgets and prioritize activities to achieve continuous improvement.
• Runs annual vendor audits and supports the entire procure to pay process.
• Comply with all necessary rules and regulations.
• Provide operational support to other team members; help the logistics team with tasks and/or projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or similar field plus 3 years of experience in transportation/logistics
• Proven ability to manage complex RFx events and apply negotiation skills, resulting in significant cost savings and measurable service improvements.
• Practical experience managing third-party logistics (3PL) or in-house transportation management system (TMS)
• Experience in interpreting regulations and applying them to logistics systems.
• Expertise in domestic shipping logistics markets including DOT compliance.
• Proven skills of negotiating, preparing, and managing vendor contracts
• Experience in leading cross-functional projects and facilitating change.
• Strong analytical skills including planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication 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 drivers license.

Additional Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of and expertise in logistics markets, including OTR, dry bulk, liquid bulk, courier, or rail
• Strong analytical skills including planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting
• Proven ability to manage complex RFx events and apply negotiation skills, resulting in significant cost savings and measurable service improvements
• Hazmat certified
• Knowledge of US Customs border crossing requirements for Mexico and Canada
• Logistics-related experience in the chemical industry
• Experience with data visualization software such as Power BI or Tableau

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 competitive 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, cash balance plan, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.
Please apply online at:
Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status.
No third-party candidates accepted.