Technical Service and Development Director

Kuraray America • Pasadena, TX

2d

About The Position

The Director of Technical Service & Development (TS&D) leads the market development, technical service, and development strategy for EVAL, Genestar, and Plantic products and applications across the Americas. This senior leadership role directs technical professionals to meet product, application, and service objectives safely and efficiently while driving business growth. The position is strategically responsible for expanding sales of EVAL and Plantic through expert customer service, product development and commercialization, and application development that delivers value to the marketplace.

The Director leads technical relationships and development projects with customers, end users, and equipment suppliers; allocates resources across product capabilities; supports the Sales team as a subject matter expert; and oversees customer engagement, trials, corrective actions, product qualification, and commercialization. The role also guides application development and manufacturing support, develops the MD and TS&D engineering teams, and ensures safety, regulatory, and quality compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in a technical field; Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science is required.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in polymer processing and/or polymer chemistry, including substantial work with processing equipment, physical testing apparatus, analytical testing devices, technical service, or polymer or packaging development.
• At least 7 years of people-management experience, including 5 years leading leaders and teams.
• Deep knowledge of the business, including market dynamics, customer requirements, and the competitive landscape.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and driving business results.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to engage effectively with team members, peers, and internal and external customers at all organizational levels.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into business growth.
• Valid driver's license.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the TS&D team in developing strategic technical relationships and development projects with existing and potential customers, end users, and equipment suppliers.
• Allocate resources and manage EVAL, Genestar, and Plantic technical capabilities to deliver customer value at optimal cost, strengthen market reputation, and support growth of products and applications.
• Serve as a senior technical resource and subject matter expert to the Sales team, customers, and stakeholders for EVAL and Plantic products.
• Oversee customer engagement, including site visits, product promotion, processing and handling training, and education about end-use applications.
• Direct customer trials using blown-film and cast-film semi-work-scale equipment at KTRC to develop film and sheet structures using barrier products.
• Manage the Corrective Action Request (CAR) process for internal and external customers, ensuring timely investigation and resolution.
• Maintain Kuraray’s market presence through customer visits, conference attendance, tradeshow presentations, and technical thought leadership.
• Lead initiatives to promote, sample, follow up on, and qualify existing and new products with target customers and brand owners.
• Direct collaborative projects with complementary resin suppliers and equipment OEMs that support product development objectives.
• Oversee optimization of product formulations using existing technologies to meet regional customer requirements and market demands.
• Ensure timely and appropriate laboratory preparation and trials in accordance with the Chemical Hygiene Program, regulatory requirements, ISO, and IATF requirements.
• Drive the commercialization pipeline from concept through successful market launch.
• Identify and evaluate new applications where Kuraray products offer compelling value propositions.
• Transform development projects into commercial sales opportunities and pioneer applications that expand market presence and create competitive advantages.
• Set the strategic direction for application development in alignment with business unit growth objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic analysis to the EVAL Business Unit Manufacturing group to improve manufacturing processes, product management, and disposition.
• Lead initiatives to improve EVAL resin quality and reduce production costs.
• Support Product Managers, Production, QC, and personnel involved in rework processes to optimize allocation of non-prime material to customers.
• Serve as technical liaison between TS&D and manufacturing operations to drive operational excellence.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the MD and TS&D engineering teams providing technical service for EVAL and Plantic products across the Americas.
• Ensure team performance supports Department and Business Unit objectives, foster technical excellence, innovation, and customer focus, and build organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
• Ensure safe laboratory and field operations, oversee completion of Kuraray Structure Program assignments, ensure engineers complete assigned KAI University training, and maintain regulatory, safety, and quality management system compliance.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including base pay and an annual incentive tied to individual performance and corporate and team performance.
• Robust healthcare package.
• Wellness reimbursements.
• Three weeks of paid time off.
• Ten company holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Education reimbursement.
• Matching 401(k) plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director