Business Development Manager, Performance Chemicals

OXEA

Houston (TX)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Structured onboarding

Professional growth

Competitive compensation

International environment

Customer collaboration

Job summary

OXEA Corporation in Houston seeks a Business Development Manager for Performance Chemicals to drive growth across North America, focusing on Lubricants/Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture and Cosmetics. You will bridge technical insight with commercial strategy and coordinate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to win first sales.

Travel of about 35–40% across North America is expected, with a strong emphasis on translating chemistry into market opportunities and collaborating

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in Performance Chemicals business development in target markets.
Willingness to travel approximately 35–40% throughout North America

Responsibilities

Drive new business development projects from opportunity through first sale.
Monitor industry trends and assess impact on the Performance Chemicals portfolio.
Identify new opportunities for the carboxylic acids and esters portfolio.
Translate chemical features into clear commercial pitches for customers.
Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations and Sales across functions

Skills

Business development

Market analysis

Acids & esters

Cross-functional collab

Education

Degree in Chemistry

Job description

OXEA Corporation Company Overview | World leader in Oxo Chemicals

Oxo products are the core competency of OXEA Corporation. We are producing more than 70 oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives for customers in a wide range of industries with various end market applications. Our chemicals are important ingredients in products that are used in daily life around the world. "We" refers to more than 1,200 OXEA employees worldwide. At our plants in Germany, the USA, and China, we produce intermediates and derivatives.

Job Purpose

The Business Development Manager, Performance Chemicals is responsible for driving the growth of OXEA's acids & esters business across North America, with a focus on Lubricants & Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture, and Cosmetics applications. This role combines technical expertise with strong commercial acumen to identify new business opportunities, support customer implementation, and accelerate market adoption of OXEA's acids & esters portfolio. Working closely with customers, this position serves as the technical and commercial liaison between OXEA and the marketplace, reporting to the Director, Global Business Development, Marketing.

The position will act in accordance with the Group's Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, company policies, HSE standards, and applicable industry regulations.

Main Tasks And Responsibilities

Drive new business development projects from initial opportunity through to first sale, with a view toward transferring successful projects to the business unit
Monitor overall industry trends and assess their impact on the existing Performance Chemicals portfolio for Lubricants & Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture, and Cosmetics and potential new applications, and develop suitable measures to grow new business in relevant markets
Maintain an in-depth understanding of both the overall global market and the accessible market for one of the above segments, identifying new business opportunities for selected products in the OQC Performance Chemicals portfolio (carboxylic acids and esters)
Translate chemical and technical product features into clear, compelling commercial sales pitches for customers
Collaborate within a matrix organization (R&D, Quality Management, Regulatory, Communications, Operations, Sales) to support the company's success

Education Requirements

Degree in Chemistry or another technical field, and/or training as a chemical technician in application technology

Minimum Requirements

5+ years of experience in Performance Chemicals business development within Lubricants & Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture, and/or Cosmetics markets and in-depth understanding of one of above markets
Willingness and ability to travel approximately 35–40% throughout North America

Preferred Qualifications

Proven track record in developing, communicating, and implementing growth projects with customers
Experience managing projects in complex environments across multiple regions and the broader organization

Competencies And Skills

Strong motivation to drive new business development for OXEA
Passion for establishing new customer contacts and acting as a results-oriented project manager focused on securing first sales
Solid knowledge of the market relevant to the selected Performance Chemicals segment, with interest in developing formulation and application knowledge and technical solutions for customers and OXEA's product strategy
Relevant technical experience combined with commercial ambition, strong business acumen, and a drive to succeed
Flexibility to work within lead times and meet deadlines
Business-minded with strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to simplify complex chemical and technical concepts for a variety of audiences
Strategic and innovative thinker with excellent communication and networking skills
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information to varied internal and external audiences
Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing a broad geographic territory with minimal supervision

What OXEA Offers

A variety of challenging and impactful tasks, partnering with customers throughout North and South America to solve technical challenges and develop innovative solutions
Structured onboarding and opportunities for continued professional growth
Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
A collaborative, international working environment that values innovation, teamwork, and customer success

All Employees are invited to participate regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, religion, disability or veteran status, and any other criterion prescribed by law.

OXEA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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