Title: HSES Manager - Environmental

Location: Pasadena, TX

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 31 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 HSES Environmental Manager will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of environmental programs across the company's diverse operations. This role ensures the company's compliance with all environmental regulations, drives sustainability initiatives, and leads continuous improvement in environmental performance. The Program Manager works with all departments at the KAI sites and personnel to help create, modify and improve systems, processes, procedures. The Program Manager will supervise and mentor a team of environmental specialists collectively responsible for supporting operational units in achieving environmental compliance and excellence.

Responsibilities:

Develop and implement environmental strategies, policies, and programs across multiple domestic locations to ensure compliance with local, national, and internal environmental regulations (e.g., EPA, TCEQ).
Develop, lead, and participate in corporate-level environmental initiatives focused on reducing the company's energy usage, waste generation, and water usage. Identify opportunities for waste minimization, pollution prevention, and resource efficiency improvements.
Monitor, track, and report environmental performance, identifying areas for continuous improvement and driving sustainability goals. Reporting information to agencies and internal domestic and international customers as requested.
Develop the annual budget for the group and monitors costs.
Conduct audits and inspections across KAI sites, ensuring corrective actions are identified and implemented.
Oversee and manage a team of Environmental Specialists across multiple sites, providing mentorship, performance evaluations, and career development.
Assign responsibilities to the team and ensure consistent application of corporate environmental programs.
Review and approve environmental assessments, reports, and audits prepared by team members.
Develop risk management strategies related to environmental impacts, including emergency response planning for chemical spills, hazardous waste, and air emissions.
Lead incident investigations related to environmental non-compliance or unplanned events, ensuring root causes are identified and preventive actions implemented.
Collaborate with the Health & Safety teams to integrate environmental emergency protocols into the company's broader emergency response framework.
Develop and deliver environmental training programs for employees at all levels of the organization.
Communicate environmental goals, initiatives, and program updates to internal stakeholders, including executive leadership.
Lead initiatives with Kuraray Group companies to share best practices and implement common systems.
Participate with external trade associations to influence and stay abreast of changes in environmental regulations and industry best practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering, Safety or Environmental discipline with 10 years of related experience.
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience leading people or projects in a supervisory or lead role.
Experience implementing HSE principles, concepts, theories and practices across a multi-site chemical manufacturing facility.
Strong people management skills
Ability to use influencing skills rather than authority to achieve targets.
Demonstrated oral/written communication skills: presents information and ideas to individuals or groups in an articulate and organized way, appropriate to the audience, and under a wide range of communication situations.
Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
Ability to multi-task
Candidates must have a valid driver's license.

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 America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

No third-party candidates accepted.

Kuraray America

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HSES Manager -Environmental