Inside Sales Assistant

Title: Inside Sales – AIS Division Location: Full-Time Remote (Central/Eastern Time Zone) 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 12,000 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 Inside Sales Position is to drive revenue growth by identifying, nurturing, and closing sales opportunities. The goal is to provide superior service to our customers, ensuring accurate delivery of the product and information related to our products. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating business activities among Sales/Account Managers, Production, Product Management, Accounting, Logistics, and Demand Planning. Work Schedule Monday Friday: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM (EST) - Remote Responsibilities: Sales Management

• Manage lead generation activities including cold outreach, email campaigns, and follow-up to advance prospects through the sales pipeline.
• Conduct virtual product demonstrations, explain technical features and applications, and prepare customer quotes.
• Build and maintain relationships with prospects and existing accounts to support retention and growth.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of sales activities, account status, and pipeline data in Salesforce CRM.

Order Entry, Processing & Fulfillment

• Complete new customer setup and maintain accurate customer master data in SAP, EDI, and related systems.
• Receive and process customer orders submitted via phone and email, ensuring timely and accurate data entry.
• Issue order acknowledgments, invoices, and customer credit/debit memos as assigned.
• Coordinate with warehouses, freight forwarders, agents, and carriers to confirm ship dates and order details for domestic and import/export shipments.
• Prepare and distribute required product lot certificates for each shipment.
• Communicate order status, open issues, and customer concerns to the appropriate sales representative and supervisor on an ongoing basis.

Logistics Management

• Monitor daily transportation arrangements for assigned customer orders to ensure all shipments are confirmed and on schedule.
• Verify with warehouse partners that orders have shipped accurately and on time; escalate discrepancies as needed.

Import/Export Management

• Manage inventory against open customer orders and prepare purchase order requests in the ERP system.
• Organize, track, and route open purchase order paperwork to the appropriate warehouse or plant.
• Coordinate with import/export brokers, freight forwarders, and other global supply chain partners to facilitate compliant and timely shipments.
• Prepare required export documentation including USMCA certificates of origin and other customs paperwork as applicable.

Data & Sales Effectiveness

• Analyze sales, customer, and order data to surface business opportunities, service risks, and revenue trends.
• Extract, review, and maintain accurate data across CRM and ERP systems to support pipeline visibility, forecasting, and reporting.
• Monitor order, shipment, and inventory data to proactively identify issues and coordinate resolution with Sales, Production, and Logistics.
• Prepare and maintain standard reports, dashboards, and documentation to support sales activity tracking, customer follow-up, and internal reviews.

Administrative & Compliance

• Maintain organized customer records, invoices, and related documentation in accordance with established standards.
• Complete end-of-month closing duties accurately and in compliance with applicable procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial business environment.
• Proficiency in SAP, EDI, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with customers, internal teams, and external business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands across customer, warehouse, and inventory requirements with strong time management and organizational discipline.
• Ability to work independently, manage complex transactional detail accurately, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative and adaptable; able to multi-task and quickly learn new systems and processes.

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. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job