Business Development Manager, Performance Chemicals

Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

OXEA is seeking a Business Development Manager for Performance Chemicals to drive growth across North America, focusing on Lubricants, Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture, and Cosmetics applications.

The role combines technical expertise with strong commercial acumen, serving as the technical and commercial liaison between OXEA and customers, and reporting to the Director, Global Business Development, Marketing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a technical field is required.
• Minimum 5+ years in Performance Chemicals business development, across Lubricants & Functional Fluids, Automotive, Agriculture, and Cosmetics.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business development projects from opportunity to first sale, aiming to transfer successful projects to the business unit.
• Monitor industry trends and assess impacts on the Performance Chemicals portfolio in North America.
• Maintain understanding of global and accessible markets to identify opportunities in the carboxylic acids and esters portfolio.
• Translate chemical and technical features into clear, compelling commercial pitches for customers.
• Collaborate across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Communications, Operations, and Sales to support growth.

Skills

Business development

Client relationship

Market analysis

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or technical field

Job description

About OXEA

OXEA is a global manufacturer of oxo intermediates and oxo performance chemicals, serving customers across a wide range of industries. We manufacture more than 70 oxo products, with a production capacity exceeding one million metric tons and annual sales of approximately $1.6 billion USD.

With manufacturing facilities in Germany, the United States, and China, along with sales and administrative offices throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America, OXEA employs approximately 1,200 people worldwide.

At OXEA, we combine technical expertise, innovation, and customer partnerships to deliver solutions that create value around the world. As we continue to grow and transform our business, we are looking for talented professionals who want to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, global organization.

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

• Bachelor's 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