Title: Customer Service Representative

Location: Houston, 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 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 primary role of the Customer Service Representative is to provide dependable and accurate delivery of product and related services to our customers. The successful candidate will be responsible for the complete order management of the assigned customers' orders, and for coordinating business activities among sales, production, product management, accounting, marketing, logistics, and transportation to ensure required quantities meet customer order requirements.

Responsibilities:

Order entry, processing, & fulfillment

• Receives orders from customers and sales personnel by phone, fax, and e-mail
• Includes the administration of SAP, Intranet, & EDI systems, the timely complete processing of domestic & export orders, the maintenance of detailed customer master data, the compilation of lot certificates & the accurate issuance of invoices and customer credit/debit memos as required
• Completes sales order and delivery order entry; contacts and makes arrangements with warehouses and carriers to determine and confirm ship dates and order details

• Prints lot certificates and distributes for each shipment

• Follows up the orders to assure prompt delivery of products
• Manages final shipping entry for customer orders and monitors complete order functions.
• Responsible for updating the sales representative of any ongoing issues, questions, etc. that may arise from customer based on phone and/or onsite contacts
• Works with affiliates in Japan and Europe.
• Responsible for completing new customer set up and activation and maintenance of customer related information

Freight Control, Warehouse Management

• Periodic negotiation of freight rates, and arrangement of carriers, LTL, and TL; OTR, Ocean and Air, the reconciling of consigned inventory & assist with the maintenance of inventory at offsite warehouses.
• Monitors warehouse daily shipment function and requests and verifies all orders have shipped and are correct.
• Completes monthly inventory reconciliations as requested by supervisor.

Import/Export Management

• Works with import/export broker.
• Prepares Canadian customer paperwork, and/or NAFTA certificate, and other export documentation as needed.

Other Office Duties

• Express Mail
• Filing - Invoices and Lot Certifications
• Additional reasonably related duties as requested and deemed appropriate by supervisor
• Responsible for end of month closing duties and compliance with set standards
• Be a local point of contact for all assigned customers, and perform customer service related duties such as customer inquiries in relation to billing, and order management,

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent, preferred Associate degree in customer service, logistics or similar
• Minimum of 3-5 years customer service experience in an industrial material or manufacturing related industry
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in logistics, or shipping and distribution of packaged or palletized materials
• Minimum of 3 years' experience related to inventory control & order entry procedures & systems
• Knowledge of key information systems including SAP, EDI, SharePoint and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• General accounting knowledge for inventory and production preferred.
• Excellent communication skills for effective communication, in both writing and in speaking with customers, co-workers and various business associates.
• Ability to prioritize all facets of work based on customer, warehouse, and inventory requirements; must have time management and organization skills.
• Team player who is able to multi-task, adapt, and is able to quickly learn new processes.
• Must also be able to work independently and be a problem solver.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be successful under time constraints and deadlines.

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.