Title: Sr. Sales 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 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 Sr. Sales Specialist is responsible for driving revenue growth across an assigned territory by exceeding sales targets, developing complex new business opportunities, and managing high-value customer relationships through consultative selling and deep market expertise. This role supports the EVAL business, serving customers across end-use industries such as packaging (including food and pharmaceutical), automotive, and other specialty industrial applications where high barrier performance, sustainability, and technical collaboration are critical.
Operating with a high degree of independence, this role engages mid-to-senior level customer stakeholders, including procurement, manufacturing, technical, and executive leadership, and serves as a knowledgeable resource for colleagues within the sales function. The role requires extensive travel (50%+) to maintain customer engagement, support business development, and represent the company at industry events.
Responsibilities:
Customer Development & Prospecting
- Develop and execute strategic customer contact plans aligned with product launches and targeted sales campaigns
- Serve as a trusted point of contact for customer inquiries and escalated issues; resolve complex matters independently and engage internal resources as appropriate
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities through targeted outreach, market analysis, and relationship development
Sales Execution
- Lead customer meetings and presentations with well-defined objectives and tailored messaging for the audience
- Assess customer needs through consultative dialogue and align product and service solutions accordingly, including specifications, quantities, and configurations
- Negotiate commercial terms within authorized parameters; provide informed recommendations on concessions and escalate when appropriate
- Develop and deliver business cases and value propositions to mid-to-senior level stakeholders, including procurement, manufacturing, technical, and C-suite contacts
Customer Relationship Management
- Maintain accurate and timely records of customer interactions, follow-up actions, and opportunity status in the CRM system
- Develop and manage account plans that support long-term retention, share growth, and relationship depth
- Serve as a collaborative resource to internal colleagues, sharing market intelligence and customer insights to support broader business objectives
Account Development
- Manage a portfolio of mid-size to large accounts with a focus on growing share of wallet and expanding relationships across customer organizations
- Build and maintain a strong professional network within the assigned territory, including industry contacts and key decision-makers
- Represent the organization at trade shows and industry events to identify opportunities, promote products, and reinforce the company's market presence
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, Polymer Engineering /Science or a related field
- Minimum 7 years of sales experience, preferably in the chemical industry
Experience selling specialty polymers, barrier resins, or performance materials into packaging, automotive, or related industrial markets preferred
- Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets across mid-size and large accounts
- Experience engaging mid-to-senior level customer contacts across procurement, manufacturing, and technical functions, up to C-suite
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite
- Proficiency in Power BI, including dashboard development and data modeling; experience connecting to SAP and Excel data sources preferred
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities and operate with a high degree of autonomy
- Willingness to travel 50%+ of the time
- Valid driver's license required
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.