Market Manager

Title: Market Manager

Location: Fort Mill, SC

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 Vectran Market Manage r is responsible for leading market development, sales support, and marketing strategy for Vectran products across North America. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers, sales, technical teams, and global stakeholders to drive sustainable growth, pricing strategy, and competitive positioning. The position represents North America within the broader sales organization and contributes to the development of policies, procedures, and long-term objectives related to the marketing and sale of Vectran products and services. This role is based in the Fort Mill, South Carolina area. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to Fort Mill or the surrounding area

Responsibilities:

Business Development & Customer Management

• Develop new business opportunities within the North American market.
• Conduct sales calls and manage ongoing engagement with existing and prospective customers.
• Schedule and execute promotional activities to support market growth.
• Identify and clarify key issues and opportunities within large, complex customer accounts.
• Navigate and manage complex supply chains and new or emerging territories.
• Prepare price quotations and customer proposals.
• Communicate terms of sale, contract conditions, and delivery timelines to customers.
• Compile and analyze data related to market trends and competitive products.

Technical & Customer Support

• Provide technical support for major customer accounts in the U.S. and internationally.
• Coordinate with North American and Japanese technical resources to support customers.
• Analyze customer products, competitive offerings, and manufacturing processes.
• Support customer process improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to new fiber product development efforts in collaboration with technical teams.
• Participate in relevant industry standards development committees such as ISO and Cordage Institute.
• Statistical analysis and development of Designed Experiments.

New Product Development & Market Intelligence

• Support new product development by identifying customer needs and market opportunities.
• Gather and evaluate customer ideas and feedback to inform innovation efforts.
• Analyze market trends and intellectual property developments.
• Communicate insights to technical and R&D teams to enable targeted research activities.

Business Planning & Forecasting

• Lead business planning activities, including sales forecasting and multi-year budgeting.
• Develop and manage pricing plans over multi-year periods.
• Maintain and update customer sales databases.
• Support inventory management and production planning through accurate forecasting and data analysis

Pricing & Financial Management

• Lead pricing strategy development and internal pricing discussions.
• Evaluate pricing competitiveness and profitability.
• Develop and manage SG&A budgets related to sales and marketing activities.
• Oversee SG&A projects to ensure alignment with business objectives and financial targets.

Marketing Strategy & Promotion

• Develop and execute marketing strategies to support sales growth.
• Develop relevant intellectual property.
• Manage cooperative marketing support initiatives with customers.
• Support joint customer advertising and promotional campaigns.
• Plan and implement direct advertising and promotional activities to strengthen market presence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Engineering (chemical, mechanical, polymer, textile) or a Technical Field is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in sales and marketing/market development in technical fiber, textile markets, or related industries
• Up to 50% travel, including international (Europe & Asia).
• Strong knowledge of core business topics, including finance, legal (contracts, intellectual property, and risk management), and sales and marketing.
• Proven ability to multitask and work effectively with people across functions.
• Thorough technical understanding of fibers and textiles, as well as related products (e.g., ropes, tethers), and their manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with technical sales/marketing techniques (e.g. box sales).
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated record of conference presentations, technical talks, or panel participation.
• Experience contributing to industry-relevant white papers or other published technical documents.
• Proficiency in PC and business tools, including Power BI, Power Query, SAP, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Strong skills in problem solving, data analysis, budgeting, and financial modeling

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced technical degree (PhD) in polymer, chemical, mechanical, or textile engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Track record of successful business growth outside of the USA.
• Working knowledge of relevant technical standards (ropes and cables) and relevant test methods
• Basic knowledge around finite element analysis.
• Previous experience in standards committees (ISO, CI)
• Basic knowledge around finite element analysis
• Statistical analysis/designed experiment experience

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.