IT Technician

Title: IT Technician

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 IT Technician is responsible for the design, implementation, and administration of IT applications and infrastructure to support end users. This role requires a broad range of experience in both applications and infrastructure architecture, strong project coordination and vendor management skills, and a service-oriented mindset. The technician will work closely with other IT and business teams to ensure systems are reliable, secure, and effectively support operational needs - especially within manufacturing environments. Technicians will be expected to wear the proper personal protective equipment when entering manufacturing areas to ensure safety and compliance with site protocols. This position contributes to IT strategy execution by supporting the capabilities needed for business success.

Responsibilities

IT Support & Service Management

• Prioritize and resolve incidents, problems, and changes to ensure minimal disruption.
• Fulfill service requests and support onboarding/offboarding processes.
• Deliver first-line support for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and peripherals.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware/software issues, escalating as needed to minimize downtime.
• Administer antivirus, threat protection, and ensure compliance with OS, firmware, and security standards.
  
  

Application & Infrastructure Support

• Administer enterprise and cloud-based applications and infrastructure (on-prem & cloud).
• Manage software rollouts, system updates, backups, and patch deployments.
• Provide restoration support during outages and ensure high availability of applications and servers.
• Troubleshoot server OS/application issues and manage hardware replacements/escalations.
  
  

User Enablement & Training

• Conduct user training sessions (onsite/virtual) on IT tools and promote best practices.
• Create user guides and training materials tailored to department needs.
  
  

Security & Compliance

• Enforce IT security policies, manage user access rights, and ensure data protection compliance.
• Maintain encryption standards and monitor device compliance.
  
  

Network & Voice Services

• Support wired, wireless, and voice network infrastructure; monitor performance and coordinate upgrades.
• Deploy and maintain VoIP systems; manage changes to extensions, voicemails, and phone devices.
  
  

Asset, Identity & Vendor Management

• Maintain IT asset inventory and lifecycle tracking using asset management tools.
• Administer user/computer directory objects (e.g., Active Directory).
• Collaborate with vendors for procurement, support services, and performance evaluation.
  
  

Manufacturing IT Support

• Provide specialized support for plant-floor applications (MES, SCADA, LIMS, etc.).
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to meet operational needs.
• Ensure up time of manufacturing systems and coordinate upgrades and OT integrations.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in IT infrastructure and application support, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Windows OS (client and server), Microsoft 365, networking fundamentals, VoIP, and cloud services.
• Hands-on experience supporting plant systems such as MES, SCADA, or similar platforms is highly desirable.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills and a proactive, customer-first attitude.
• Effective communicator with experience training users across multiple functions.
• Familiarity with ITIL practices, security frameworks, and compliance standards.
• Industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft, Cisco) are a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
  
  

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.