Human Resource Business Partner

Title:

Human Resource Business Partner

Location:

Houston, TX

Who we are:

Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, KAI operates with top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of suppliers 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 operates 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 Human Resources Business Partner serves as a strategic partner to Business Unit and Regional leadership, providing HR advice and directing an HR agenda that closely supports Kuraray America's organizational goals and financial objectives. The role is responsible for specifying, developing, and managing the implementation of HR policies, frameworks, and programs within an assigned BU or region, operating within Kuraray's global and regional HR governance model.

• Act as an HR business partner to BU and Regional leadership, providing authoritative specialist advice to enable effective decision‑making, policy implementation, and change initiatives.
• Develop and direct an HR agenda aligned with business strategy, workforce priorities, and organizational objectives.
• Manage partnering relationships with internal clients, building high levels of professional credibility, trust, and influence.

• Take responsibility for specifying underlying procedures, monitoring implementation, and ensuring compliance with internal governance and external regulatory requirements.
• Interpret and apply HR policies consistently across the BU or region, escalating only the most complex or enterprise‑wide issues as appropriate.

• Develop key strategic insights using internal and external data to inform workforce planning and organizational design.
• Analyze complex resourcing scenarios to support the development and execution of strategic workforce plans at the BU or regional level.
• Advise leadership on organizational structure, staffing levels, and capability needs based on business and market trends.

• Identify requirements for HR frameworks and tools covering:
  • Talent acquisition and onboarding
  • Performance management and development
  • Career and succession planning
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Specify framework design and manage development and implementation, ensuring alignment with HR standards, integration across HR processes, and compliance with legal requirements.
• Enable the attraction, development, and retention of talent at a sustainable cost.

• Investigate and propose solutions for very complex and/or contentious employee relations cases in partnership with line management.
• Coordinate the organization's response to employment‑related legal matters, including contributing to legal submissions and ensuring accurate, timely case management.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices across the U.S. and applicable…