Marketing Manager - Kuraray America

Title: Marketing Manager

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 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 Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing communication strategies to support organizational goals. This includes creating compelling content, managing brand consistency, and overseeing marketing campaigns across multiple channels such as digital, social media, and traditional media. The role also involves planning and executing promotional events, trade shows, and conferences, ensuring messaging aligns with brand identity and objectives. Additionally, the Marketing Manager collaborates with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners to enhance media relations, optimize digital marketing efforts, and ensure effective internal communication. The position requires strong strategic thinking, content development, and project management skills.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and execute integrated marketing communication plans aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyze market trends and audience insights to create effective campaigns.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and industry segment teams to ensure messaging consistency.

Content Development & Brand Management

• Create compelling, on-brand content for various marketing channels, including press releases, email campaigns, social media, websites, and presentations.
• Oversee the development of marketing collateral, such as brochures, white papers, videos, and case studies.
• Maintain brand consistency across all communication platforms and materials.
• Develop and implement marketing campaigns targeted at local communities, ensuring alignment with brand values and objectives.

Social Media Management:

• Develop and implement social media strategies to drive promotional campaigns, product launches, and lead generation efforts across key platforms.
• Oversee the creation and optimization of content, ensuring consistency with brand messaging and alignment with overall marketing objectives.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on social media performance, adjusting strategies to maximize engagement and ROI.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure social media efforts support broader marketing campaigns and business goals.

Media Relations & Public Relations

• Monitor and report on media coverage to assess campaign effectiveness and media sentiment.
• Build and nurture relationships with media outlets, journalists, influencers, and other external stakeholders to enhance the company's visibility.
• Collaborate with internal teams and media partners on product launches, events, and promotional campaigns.

Digital Marketing & Social Media

• Oversee the development and execution of digital marketing campaigns, including social media, SEO, PPC, and email marketing.
• Track, analyze, and report on digital campaign performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for growth and optimization through emerging platforms and technologies.

Internal Communications

• Collaborate on internal communications regarding product launches, sales updates, and other marketing initiatives.
• Ensure alignment of marketing messaging and communication strategies across teams and departments.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Lead the strategic planning, execution, and management of promotional events, trade shows, and conferences to drive brand awareness and support business objectives.
• Create the development of marketing collateral and event materials, ensuring consistency with brand identity and alignment with broader marketing campaigns and organizational goals.
• Manage and guide event logistics, including vendor selection, budgeting, and coordination, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with event objectives.
• Evaluate and monitor event performance to ensure marketing goals are met, driving engagement and ROI.

Crisis Communications

• Provide backup support for Crisis Communications as needed, assisting the Senior Communication Specialist.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with internal teams (regional and global), leadership, and external agencies to drive cohesive communication strategies.
• Develop and manage marketing workshops for internal stakeholders to optimize strategic and tactical efforts

Management of Employees:

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing marketing team, ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and marketing objectives.
• Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback to team members, fostering professional growth and a collaborative work environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing communications, public relations, or a related role.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing, leading, and directing a team of marketing professionals
• Proven success in managing integrated marketing campaigns.
• Experience leading and mentoring small teams to execute strategic marketing initiatives.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with digital marketing tools (e.g., Google Analytics, CRM software, and content management systems).
• Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
• Highly effective project management, prioritization, multi-tasking, and time management skills to meet deadlines.
• 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.

Please apply online at: http://www.kuraray.us.com/careers/

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

No third-party candidates accepted.