Director, Business Mgmt. Chemical Intermediates, North America - Butanediol and Derivatives

BASF SE•Houston, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Director, Business Mgmt. Chemical Intermediates North America for Butanediol and Derivatives to join our Intermediates team in Houston, TX. The Intermediates division offers innovative solutions for a wide range of industries – from coatings and plastics to pharmaceuticals and crop protection. We are seeking a leader to head our North American Butanediol and Derivatives business, with responsibility for an integrated business portfolio that includes Butanediol (BDO), derivatives such as GBL, NMP, THF, and PTHF, as well as acetylene and by-products. Based in Houston and reporting to the Global Vice President, Butanediol and Derivatives Business Management, you will lead a team of approximately five employees across sales, product management, and demand planning. In this role, you will drive the execution of the global business strategy for products manufactured in Geismar, Louisiana that are sold to third-party customers, BASF-internal divisions, and export markets. With your drive and ambition, you will support the business in sustaining a strong competitive position and actively strengthening its presence in the market, while also shaping business process improvements and supporting business model development across the Global Business Unit. As a people leader, you will build a high-performing organization by coaching and developing your team. You will guide your team’s engagement with key internal partners like customer care, supply chain, manufacturing, procurement, product stewardship, and legal across North America, and you will personally lead high-impact discussions with these functions. Being a strong collaborator across the global organization. The role carries overall accountability for delivering the region’s contribution to the Strategic Business Unit targets, including execution of the global strategy, financial performance, contract and pricing management, portfolio steering, working capital improvement, and support for capital projects.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in (Chemical) Engineering, Chemistry, Business, or a related field; with an MBA preferred.
Extensive leadership experience in the chemical industry, including direct responsibility for sales, product management and demand planning, with strong exposure to commodity chemicals.
Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to manage profitability, pricing, forecasting, budgets, and working capital in a market-driven environment.
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, influence senior stakeholders, and collaborate effectively across commercial, operational, and functional interfaces.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, combined with a strong track record of driving strategic growth, operational alignment, and continuous improvement.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Leading the North American business with strong financial discipline, driving profitable growth and sound business decisions.
Leveraging your ability to distill complex information into clear insights, actionable conclusions, and practical solutions.
Applying your experience in managing commodity businesses with significant operational and commercial complexity.
Using your deep knowledge of regional and global market dynamics, customer needs, value chains, and competitive trends to shape and execute business strategies for Butanediol and Derivatives.
Owning key performance metrics and financial planning, including budget development, forecasting, and performance tracking.
Building on your demonstrated ability to lead multiple strategic initiatives and large cross-functional projects simultaneously.
Providing inspiring leadership, clear direction, and ongoing coaching to a high-performing team.
Coaching, developing, and growing talent within the business while contributing to broader talent management and succession planning efforts in the Operating Division.
Providing guidance and negotiation strategies to the sales colleagues on your team, based on your experience in negotiating and managing complex business contracts and multiyear agreements in an international environment.
Building and leading relationships with key business partners, including customers, suppliers and co-producers.
Collaborating effectively with the global Butanediol and Derivatives business management teams including strategic marketing and global technology, and the BDO and Derivatives production units in Geismar to prioritize key initiatives, productivity improvements, and strategic areas of focus.
Developing and implementing global programs or initiatives to improve profitability, ensure compliance, as well as managing agency reporting relationships such as ICIS.
Maximizing the value of by-products across the value chain by identifying higher-value uses and efficient outlet strategies with minimal capital or supply chain impact.
Identifying targets to expand product range or business (collaborations, acquisitions) and participating in assessments to determine their fit.

Benefits

Relocation Assistance
Annual bonus
Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!