Buyer Purchasing (Remote Position)

Title: Procurement Specialist

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 has operations in 32 countries and employs more than 12,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. 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. The Procurement Specialist is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives aligned with company objectives to provide sustainable, cost‑effective, and reliable materials and services to Kuraray's businesses. The Procurement Specialist role involves identifying and qualifying new suppliers that meet Kuraray's requirements, while continuously developing market intelligence to inform top‑tier strategies. The Procurement Specialist will also represent Kuraray in negotiations and work closely with diverse business teams to implement sourcing programs and strategies enabled by third‑party goods and services. The Procurement Specialist also includes overseeing supplier performance, managing contracts, and driving process improvements that contribute to long‑term cost savings and operational efficiency.

This position will be a Hybrid/Remote position (2 days per week in the office/ 3 days per week remote).

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Planning

Conduct market analysis to stay informed on trends, cost drivers, and labor rates that may impact sourcing decisions.

Provide early procurement involvement in key projects to ensure sourcing considerations are embedded from the start.

Use planning systems and protocols to support long‑term procurement goals.

Identify opportunities for innovation and process optimization across procurement activities.

Supplier Relationship & Contract Management

Lead the selection, evaluation, and onboarding of suppliers based on quality, cost, service, compliance, and capability.

Manage key supplier relationships to ensure alignment with business needs and performance expectations.

Negotiate favorable terms and manage contract lifecycles, including post‑award activities, purchase orders, and ongoing vendor relations.

Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues related to quality, service, safety, and supply disruptions.

Address and mitigate complex supplier incidents to maintain strong supplier performance.

Partner with supply chain, operations, logistics, and other internal teams to ensure procurement strategies support business goals.

Collaborate with the Global Raw Materials Procurement team to align local strategies with global sourcing initiatives.

Serve as a key liaison to internal stakeholders at all levels, providing regular updates on procurement initiatives and outcomes.

Process Improvement & Compliance

Identify inefficiencies in procurement systems, processes, or procedures and lead improvement initiatives using change management best practices.

Continuously assess and refine procurement processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Ensure adherence to audit, compliance, and regulatory standards, reporting any deviations or risks appropriately.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Conduct research and data analysis to inform procurement strategies and decision‑making.

Prepare, organize, and present procurement reports, including metrics, accomplishments, and special project summaries.

Track and report on key performance indicators and progress toward procurement goals.

Project Management

Manage multiple concurrent procurement projects, ensuring priorities are clearly defined and timelines are met.

Apply structured project management approaches to deliver consistent results across initiatives.

Set performance goals, conduct regular check‑ins, and provide constructive feedback.

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.

Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint).

Experience utilizing SAP Business Queries and data analysis to support decision‑making.

Customer Focus

Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions.

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

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.

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer disability/protected veteran status.

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