Sr. HSES Specialist

Title: Sr. HSES Specialist

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 12,000 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 Sr. HSES Specialist supports and enhances the Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental, Security, and Industrial Hygiene programs at Kuraray America's La Porte and Bayport sites. This position serves as a technical resource and partner to site operations, helping ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company standards while promoting a proactive HSES culture. The role is responsible for conducting audits, inspections, exposure monitoring, incident investigations, safety training, and compliance activities, as well as supporting process safety, radiation safety, security, and continuous improvement initiatives. Through collaboration with site personnel and leadership, the Sr. HSES Specialist helps identify and mitigate risk, improve operational performance, and maintain a safe, healthy, secure, and environmentally responsible workplace.

Responsibilities:

HSES Program Management & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Health, Safety, Environmental, and Security (HSES) programs, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, company requirements, and industry best practices.

• Maintain a strong field presence by conducting routine audits and observations of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) activities, work permits, confined space entries, contractor activities, and operational tasks to verify compliance and identify opportunities for risk reduction.

• Lead and facilitate safety meetings, training programs, and awareness initiatives that promote employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to site leadership, employees, and contractors by providing guidance on risk management, regulatory compliance, safe work practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance HSES programs, strengthen compliance, reduce risk, improve employee engagement, and support operational excellence across the facility.

Incident Management & Risk Reduction

• Conduct incident, near-miss, and unsafe condition investigations; perform root cause analyses; and develop corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence and improve overall HSES performance.

• Perform HSES audits, inspections, and compliance assessments, communicate findings to management, and ensure timely closure of corrective actions related to audit findings, incidents, and regulatory requirements.

Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Health

• Conduct industrial hygiene assessments, including personnel exposure monitoring, chemical air sampling, noise surveys, dosimetry evaluations, and ventilation system assessments to identify and mitigate occupational health risks.

• Administer and support occupational health programs, including respiratory protection requirements, employee training, equipment selection, and program compliance.

• Serve as the backup Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), supporting radiation safety programs, regulatory compliance activities, and safe handling practices in accordance with applicable requirements.

Security & Risk Management

• Support site security and risk management programs by conducting security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing corrective measures to protect personnel, assets, and operations.

Process Safety & Operational Excellence

• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), Management of Change (MOC) processes, and other process safety initiatives to identify hazards and strengthen operational safeguards.

• Support process safety and operational excellence initiatives through hazard identification, risk assessments, incident prevention strategies, and implementation of best practices.

HSES Data Analytics & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret HSES performance data and metrics to identify trends, measure program effectiveness, and support data-driven decision making.

• Prepare, maintain, and submit accurate regulatory, corporate, and site-specific reports, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and organizational standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline with five years of experience in Occupational Health, Safety, and/or Environmental Sciences within a chemical or polymer manufacturing environment OR
• Associate's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline with seven years of experience in Occupational Health, Safety, and/or Environmental Sciences within a chemical or polymer manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and occupational health standards, including those of ACGIH.
• Strong documentation, reporting, and training skills.
• Ability to identify and mitigate safety risks while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
• Experience conducting audits and developing compliance strategies.
• Proven ability to manage and influence teams without direct authority.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present information effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to drive results and achieve compliance goals.
• 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.
• Physically capable of:
• Standing for extended periods (4 hours), climbing stairs/ladders (4 flights), climbing up 50 feet or more, and lifting up to 50 lbs. or less
• Frequent physical activity including bending, stooping, crouching, twisting, crawling, kneeling, squatting, and climbing

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 disability/protected veteran status.

No third-party candidates accepted.