Product Stewardship Associate

Why Work at Kaneka North America?
At Kaneka North America, you'll find more than just a job-you'll find a place to build a career. We offer a people-first, safety-focused environment where employees are encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute. Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you'll have the chance to do meaningful work, collaborate across teams, and support products and industries that make a difference every day. Your contributions are valued, and your development is supported.

Our Culture & Values
Our culture is built on respect, teamwork, and doing things the right way. We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, trusted, and empowered to speak up and share ideas. Safety, integrity & trust, quality, and innovation guide everything we do, and we invest in our employees through continuous learning, collaboration, and opportunities for growth. At Kaneka North America, you're encouraged to take ownership of your work, grow your skills, and build a long-term career in an environment that values both accountability and people.

JOB DETAILS

The Product Stewardship Associate will provide product stewardship support for the products that Kaneka North America, LLC produces in Texas and other international locations. This role will serves both internal teams and external customers, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and supporting safe product use throughout the lifecycle. Responsibilities will evolve over time to address new regulatory requirements, emerging products, and expanding markets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• FDA
  • Accurately interpret food contact regulations related to the polymer products that KNA produces or imports into the US.
  • Prepare Food Contact Notifications for submission to the FDA for new or existing products
  • Coordinate efforts in obtaining "opinion letters" from FDA lawyers
  • Prepare food contact application statements based on Code of Federal Regulations as relates to the polymer products that KNA produces or imports into the US.
  • Prepare migration testing protocols for new polymers
  • Drug Master Files for polymer products used in pharmaceutical packaging
• SDS
  • Prepare and maintain GHS SDSs for KNA products and intermediate materials
  • Prepare and maintain GHS SDSs for KAH Business entity products and intermediate materials as needed
• DOT
  • Prepare GHS labels for product containers
  • Prepare shipping documents for hazardous materials
  • Specify packaging for hazardous materials
  • Assist in the evaluation of DOT related issues for other KAH business entities as needed
  • Issue and/or maintain training documents for shipping of hazardous and non-hazardous materials
• TSCA
  • Investigate TSCA status of products and imported raw materials
  • Prepare Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMN's) for new or existing products
  • Prepare polymer exemption reports, PERCs
  • Maintain records to know PMN's and PERCs are needed and prepare end of year (EOY) reporting documents for polymer exemptions filed for polymers imported or manufactured the prior year
  • Support other KAH business entities in this area as needed
  • Prepare annual reports for TSCA 12b notification to the EPA
  • Oversee other required reports
• Customs
  • Determine correct HTS classifications
  • Pursue opportunities to reduce tariffs by innovative reclassification of materials
  • Assist with NAFTA compliance including preparation of COOs
  • Assist with researching and approving one-time imports and exports
  • Assist with KASI database maintenance for compliance
  • Assist other KAH business entities in this area as needed
• NSF
  • File information request with NSF to assist KNA's or KAH business entity products with being approved for new applications
• ADA
  • As needed, assess KNA building construction or modification projects to ensure ADA considerations are addressed
• Canadian NSN
  • Prepare New Substance Notifications as required to introduce new products into Canada
• EU Plastic Directive
  • Assist with the certification of Kaneka products for use in food contact applications in the EU under REACH
  • Prepare Food Certification documents for products that Kaneka produces or imports into the European Union for compliance with European Commission
• Other countries chemical control laws
  • Assist in getting Kaneka products registered in other countries as needed
• Maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with these subjects
• Assist customers in maintaining compliance while using KNA or KAH business entity products
• Assess Product Stewardship issues and risk related to M&A activities and advise management
• Support new business ventures and provide leadership in aligning new venture Product Stewardship management with KAH or KNA requirements
• Must demonstrate the following emotional intelligence skills:
  • Emotional empathy
  • Positive attitude
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Flexibility / adaptability
  • Interpersonal skills

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.