Sales Specialist

Overview Title: Sales Specialist Location: Houston, TX Who we are Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. 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. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. You will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment. Position Summary The Sales Specialist supports revenue growth across an assigned territory by assisting with customer development, sales execution, and account management activities. 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 and technical collaboration are important. Working closely with senior sales team members, technical teams, and internal partners, the Sales Specialist develops foundational knowledge of products, markets, and customers while contributing to sales initiatives, customer engagement, and pipeline development. This 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 customer contact plans aligned with product launches and relevant sales campaigns Serve as the primary point of contact for customer inquiries and complaints; resolve issues directly or escalate complex matters to the appropriate resources Build new customer relationships and expand market reach through targeted outreach efforts Sales Execution Establish clear objectives for each sales call or customer meeting Deliver presentations using standard materials; ask targeted questions to assess customer interest and identify information needs Match standard products and services to customer requirements, including appropriate quantities and configurations Present solutions with clear rationale within standard commercial terms; escalate requests for concessions to senior colleagues as needed Customer Relationship Management Log customer interactions and follow-up actions in the CRM system promptly after each contact Maintain active call plans to support customer retention and ongoing business development Collaborate with internal colleagues to strengthen external customer relationships and meet customer needs Account Development Build and maintain a professional network within the assigned sales accounts Represent the organization at trade shows and industry events to identify opportunities, promote products, and support brand reputation Data Analytics & Reporting Build and maintain interactive Power BI dashboards; connect to SAP and Excel data sources Translate raw data into actionable insights and identify meaningful trends Gather reporting requirements from stakeholders and communicate findings clearly to non-technical audiences Proactively identify and resolve data inaccuracies and report performance issues Coordinate with external data management vendors for import records and market statistics Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering/Science, Business, or a related field Minimum of 1 year of sales experience, preferably in the chemical industry Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency in Power BI, including dashboard development and data modeling Solid problem-solving and decision-making capabilities Ability to manage competing priorities effectively 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr