Kuraray America, Inc.
Overview
Title:
Sales Manager Location:
Houston, TX Who we are
Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production, with operations in 32 countries and over 11,000 employees. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Our team is committed to integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability, and we offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Position Summary
The Sales Manager - Americas will direct and manage PVOH sales and salespeople across Canada, the United States, and Mexico to support Kuraray's global business objectives. This position is based at Kuraray's Houston Headquarters. This is a hybrid role; however, the successful candidate is expected to collaborate with local teams, attend internal meetings, and ensure cross-functional alignment. This role leads the regional execution of sales strategy, demand forecasting, and customer engagement for the North America region while supporting the profitable growth of the PVOH Business Unit (BU). The Sales Manager will play a key role in driving revenue growth, developing market presence, managing major accounts, and supporting operational excellence in alignment with global supply and demand plans. Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Provide direction, motivation, and performance management to the regional sales team. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Support individual development plans and offer coaching to enhance team capabilities.
Sales Strategy & Business Planning
Develop, lead, and monitor a regional sales plan and budget for the PVOH BU that aligns with Kuraray's global supply-demand objectives. Build demand, revenue, and income forecasts using Kuraray’s Demand Forecast software (Aspentech); coordinate volume and pricing with Kuraray HQ. Lead territory assignments, pricing strategies, budget planning, and performance targets across the regional sales team.
Customer Engagement & Market Development
Personally manage key accounts critical to the BU's early-stage success and growth, including direct negotiation and proposal development. Represent Kuraray at trade shows, industry events, and in professional organizations to strengthen market presence and build strategic partnerships. Develop and implement customer relationship plans to grow market share and secure long-term business opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Product Management, Technical Service & Development, Accounting, Regulatory, Legal, and Logistics to ensure promises to customers are met ethically, efficiently and profitably. Work closely with the logistics team to maintain and optimize warehouse setup, freight costs, and supply chain efficiency. Inform internal stakeholders of volume changes and new business opportunities to maintain operational readiness.
Compliance & Financial Stewardship
Maintain rigorous credit management practices to reduce financial exposure and ensure healthy accounts receivable levels. Partner with Accounting to monitor financial metrics and apply conservative contract terms and credit insurance where appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressive sales experience in process, industrial, and/or specialty chemicals. Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role managing a sales team, with a proven ability to inspire, engage, and develop team members while driving performance. Proven success in managing regional sales, preferably including Canada and Mexico. Experience with CRM (Salesforce) and Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI). Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills. Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, financial management, and strategic planning. Proven ability to lead through change and manage multiple complex initiatives. Cross-cultural fluency; comfort working across diverse cultures, languages, and customs. Exceptional communication and relationship management skills. Ability to conduct business in Spanish is advantageous but not required. Up to 50% travel in the region. 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.
Drives Results
Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Collaborates
Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Title:
Sales Manager Location:
Houston, TX Who we are
Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production, with operations in 32 countries and over 11,000 employees. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Our team is committed to integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability, and we offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., you will have the opportunity to contribute to a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Position Summary
The Sales Manager - Americas will direct and manage PVOH sales and salespeople across Canada, the United States, and Mexico to support Kuraray's global business objectives. This position is based at Kuraray's Houston Headquarters. This is a hybrid role; however, the successful candidate is expected to collaborate with local teams, attend internal meetings, and ensure cross-functional alignment. This role leads the regional execution of sales strategy, demand forecasting, and customer engagement for the North America region while supporting the profitable growth of the PVOH Business Unit (BU). The Sales Manager will play a key role in driving revenue growth, developing market presence, managing major accounts, and supporting operational excellence in alignment with global supply and demand plans. Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Provide direction, motivation, and performance management to the regional sales team. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Support individual development plans and offer coaching to enhance team capabilities.
Sales Strategy & Business Planning
Develop, lead, and monitor a regional sales plan and budget for the PVOH BU that aligns with Kuraray's global supply-demand objectives. Build demand, revenue, and income forecasts using Kuraray’s Demand Forecast software (Aspentech); coordinate volume and pricing with Kuraray HQ. Lead territory assignments, pricing strategies, budget planning, and performance targets across the regional sales team.
Customer Engagement & Market Development
Personally manage key accounts critical to the BU's early-stage success and growth, including direct negotiation and proposal development. Represent Kuraray at trade shows, industry events, and in professional organizations to strengthen market presence and build strategic partnerships. Develop and implement customer relationship plans to grow market share and secure long-term business opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Product Management, Technical Service & Development, Accounting, Regulatory, Legal, and Logistics to ensure promises to customers are met ethically, efficiently and profitably. Work closely with the logistics team to maintain and optimize warehouse setup, freight costs, and supply chain efficiency. Inform internal stakeholders of volume changes and new business opportunities to maintain operational readiness.
Compliance & Financial Stewardship
Maintain rigorous credit management practices to reduce financial exposure and ensure healthy accounts receivable levels. Partner with Accounting to monitor financial metrics and apply conservative contract terms and credit insurance where appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Business, Marketing, Sales, or related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressive sales experience in process, industrial, and/or specialty chemicals. Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role managing a sales team, with a proven ability to inspire, engage, and develop team members while driving performance. Proven success in managing regional sales, preferably including Canada and Mexico. Experience with CRM (Salesforce) and Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI). Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills. Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, financial management, and strategic planning. Proven ability to lead through change and manage multiple complex initiatives. Cross-cultural fluency; comfort working across diverse cultures, languages, and customs. Exceptional communication and relationship management skills. Ability to conduct business in Spanish is advantageous but not required. Up to 50% travel in the region. 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.
Drives Results
Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Collaborates
Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr