Product Stewardship Associate

Why Work at Kaneka North America?
At Kaneka North America, you'll find more than just a job-you'll find a place to build a career. We offer a peoplefirst, safetyfocused environment where employees are encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute. Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you'll have the chance to do meaningful work, collaborate across teams, and support products and industries that make a difference every day. Your contributions are valued, and your development is supported.

Our Culture & Values
Our culture is built on respect, teamwork, and doing things the right way. We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, trusted, and empowered to speak up and share ideas. Safety, integrity & trust, quality, and innovation guide everything we do, and we invest in our employees through continuous learning, collaboration, and opportunities for growth. At Kaneka North America, you're encouraged to take ownership of your work, grow your skills, and build a longterm career in an environment that values both accountability and people.

JOB DETAILS

The Product Stewardship Associate is responsible for providing product stewardship and product regulatory compliance services for the products that Kaneka North America LLC produces in Texas and other international locations, serving customers both internal and external to KNA. This role supports product and regulatory compliance activities across FDA food contact, hazard communication (SDS/GHS), TSCA, and international chemical control regulations, and serves as a subject-matter resource to management on product stewardship and regulatory risk, including risks associated with mergers and acquisitions and new business ventures. Other responsibilities will be added as new regulations are promulgated and new products and markets are developed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

FDA

• Accurately interpret food contact regulations related to the polymer products that KNA produces or imports into the US.
• Prepare Food Contact Notifications (FCNs) for submission to the FDA for new or existing products.
• Coordinate efforts in obtaining "opinion letters" from FDA counsel.
• Prepare food contact application statements based on the Code of Federal Regulations as it relates to the polymer products that KNA produces or imports into the US.
• Prepare migration testing protocols for new polymers.
• Prepare and maintain Drug Master Files for polymer products used in pharmaceutical packaging.

Hazard Communications (SDS/GHS)

• Prepare and maintain GHS SDSs for KNA products and intermediate materials.
• Prepare and maintain GHS SDSs for KAH business entity products and intermediate materials as needed.
• Prepare GHS-compliant hazard classifications and label content for product containers.

TSCA

• Investigate TSCA status of products and imported raw materials.
• Prepare Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMNs) for new or existing products.
• Prepare polymer exemption reports (PERCs).
• Maintain records to know when PMNs and PERCs are needed and prepare end-of-year (EOY) reporting documents for polymer exemptions filed for polymers imported or manufactured the prior year.
• Prepare annual reports for TSCA 12(b) notification to the EPA and oversee other required reports. Support other KAH business entities in this area as needed.

International & Other Registrations

• Assist with preparing New Substance Notifications (NSNs) as required to introduce new products into Canada.
• Assist with the certification of Kaneka products for use in food contact applications in the EU under REACH.
• Prepare Food Certification documents for polymer products that Kaneka produces or imports into the European Union for compliance with European Commission.
• Assist in getting Kaneka products registered under other countries' chemical control laws as needed.
• File information requests with NSF to assist KNA or KAH business entity products in being approved for new applications.
• Maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with these subjects.

Advisory & Business Support

• Assess product stewardship issues and risk related to M&A activities and advise management.
• Support new business ventures and provide leadership in aligning new venture product stewardship management with KAH and KNA requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less experienced staff supporting product stewardship functions.
• Partner with the Trade Compliance function to provide product regulatory data (e.g., TSCA import certification status, hazard classifications) supporting customs and transportation compliance.

• Must demonstrate the following emotional intelligence skills:

• Emotional Empathy
• Positive Attitude
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Flexibility / Adaptability
• Interpersonal Skills

Team Player - Works well as a member of a group
Leader - Inspires teammates to follow them
Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Goal Completion - Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
Self-Starter - Inspired to perform without outside help
Ability to Make an Impact - Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Masters of Chemistry (preferred)
Bachelors of Chemistry (required)

7 - 9 years: Product stewardship / product regulatory affairs in the chemical industry; polymers strongly preferred. Direct experience with FDA food contact and TSCA new chemical submissions. (required)

Skills