Sr. HSES Specialist

Title:

Sr. HSES Specialist

Location:

LaPorte, TX

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.

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.

The Sr. HSES Specialist supports and enhances the Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental, Security, and Industrial Hygiene programs at Kuraray America's La Porte and Bayport sites. This position serves as a technical resource and partner to site operations, helping ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company standards while promoting a proactive HSES culture. The role is responsible for conducting audits, inspections, exposure monitoring, incident investigations, safety training, and compliance activities, as well as supporting process safety, radiation safety, security, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Through collaboration with site personnel and leadership, the Sr. HSES Specialist helps identify and mitigate risk, improve operational performance, and maintain a safe, healthy, secure, and environmentally responsible workplace.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Health, Safety, Environmental, and Security (HSES) programs, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, company requirements, and industry best practices.
• Maintain a strong field presence by conducting routine audits and observations of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) activities, work permits, confined space entries, contractor activities, and operational tasks to verify compliance and identify opportunities for risk reduction.
• Lead and facilitate safety meetings, training programs, and awareness initiatives that promote employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and a strong safety culture throughout the organization.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to site leadership, employees, and contractors by providing guidance on risk management, regulatory compliance, safe work practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance HSES programs, strengthen compliance, reduce risk, improve employee engagement, and support operational excellence across the facility.

• Conduct incident, near-miss, and unsafe condition investigations; perform root cause analyses; and develop corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence and improve overall HSES performance.
• Perform HSES audits, inspections, and compliance assessments, communicate findings to management, and ensure timely closure of corrective actions related to audit findings, incidents, and regulatory requirements.

• Conduct industrial hygiene assessments, including personnel exposure monitoring, chemical air sampling, noise surveys, dosimetry evaluations, and ventilation system assessments to identify and mitigate occupational health risks.
• Administer and support occupational health programs, including respiratory protection requirements, employee training, equipment selection, and program compliance.
• Serve as the backup Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), supporting radiation safety programs, regulatory compliance activities, and safe handling practices in accordance with applicable requirements.

• Support site security and risk management programs by conducting security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing corrective measures to protect personnel, assets, and operations.

• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), Management of Change (MOC) processes, and…