Title: Supply Chain Specialist

Location: Fayetteville, NC

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 12,000 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 Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for production scheduling, inventory management, and supply plan execution for assigned manufacturing and tolling assets. This role partners closely with Manufacturing, Customer Service, Logistics, and Master Scheduling to ensure customer demand is met while optimizing production efficiency, inventory levels, and service performance. The position monitors schedule execution, resolves supply and production issues, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and drives effective communication across the supply chain network.

Responsibilities:

Supply Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain production schedules for assigned manufacturing and tolling assets.
• Partner with Master Schedulers to balance supply, demand, and production priorities.
• Optimize schedules to improve asset utilization and minimize production transitions.
• Monitor production performance and inventory availability to support customer demand.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between Manufacturing, Customer Service, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams.
• Communicate supply constraints, production deviations, and recovery plans to stakeholders.
• Coordinate inventory movements and support shipping activities with toll manufacturers.
• Process and maintain required system transactions and planning data.

Operational Performance

• Investigate missed orders and scheduling exceptions.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve service and schedule performance.
• Monitor inventory and material availability to support uninterrupted operations.
• Identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement across the supply chain.

Continuous Improvement

• Maintain scheduling metrics, reports, and visual management tools.
• Participate in Kaizen events, Six Sigma projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Recommend and implement improvements that enhance operational and supply chain performance.

Safety & Compliance

• Comply with all company safety, environmental, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in safety initiatives and required training.
• Support adherence to company policies, procedures, and operational standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in global scheduling and supply planning meetings.
• Support special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred with one year of experience.
• HS Diploma with 5 years of experience in supply chain, production planning, scheduling, logistics, manufacturing operations, or a related field.
• Experience working with ERP systems (SAP preferred) for production planning, inventory management, and order processing.
• Experience coordinating across multiple functions such as Manufacturing, Customer Service, Logistics, and Supply Chain.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization.

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.