Senior Economist

Ecolab; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecolab seeks a Senior Economist to translate macroeconomic signals into actionable insights for strategic planning in its Data Centers and Microelectronics division. You will forecast demand drivers, build models, and deliver executive-ready reports to guide investment priorities and growth opportunities.

The role requires collaboration with commercial, strategy, finance, marketing, technology, and supply chain teams to shape segment focus, geographic expansion, and sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, business, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in: business economics, economic forecasting, equity research, market analysis, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in manufacturing end-market analysis and/or macroeconomic analysis.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and forecast demand drivers for Ecolab's Data Centers and Microelectronics division, including hyperscale data center investment, AI infrastructure buildout, semiconductor capacity expansion, advanced manufacturing, and electronics supply chain trends.
• Translate macroeconomic indicators, capital spending trends, customer investment cycles, and regional infrastructure constraints into business insights that support annual planning, long-range strategy, and market prioritization.
• Develop and maintain forecasting models that connect external market signals to Ecolab growth opportunities in water management, process optimization, energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational resilience.
• Produce executive-ready reports and presentations that help senior leaders understand market momentum, risks, customer needs, and implications for the Data Centers and Microelectronics portfolio.
• Partner with commercial, strategy, finance, marketing, technology, and supply chain leaders to inform decisions on segment focus, customer targeting, geographic expansion, innovation priorities, and resource allocation.
• Assess the impact of major external trends, including AI-driven computing growth, chip demand, reshoring and regionalization, water scarcity, power availability, environmental regulation, and customer sustainability commitments.
• Support business development and strategic growth initiatives by evaluating market attractiveness, competitive dynamics, customer investment plans, and potential partnership or acquisition opportunities relevant to data centers and microelectronics.

Skills

Macroeconomic forecasting

Equity research

Market analysis

Manufacturing end-market analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics/finance/business

Job description

As the Senior Economist, you will support Ecolab's Data Centers and Microelectronics division by translating macroeconomic, high-tech industry, customer, and end-market signals into actionable insights that inform strategic planning, investment prioritization, commercial focus, and growth opportunities. This position will help the business anticipate demand trends across data center infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced electronics, water-intensive operations, energy availability, sustainability requirements, and regional investment patterns.

What You Will Do

• Analyze and forecast demand drivers for Ecolab's Data Centers and Microelectronics division, including hyperscale data center investment, AI infrastructure buildout, semiconductor capacity expansion, advanced manufacturing, and electronics supply chain trends.
• Translate macroeconomic indicators, capital spending trends, customer investment cycles, and regional infrastructure constraints into business insights that support annual planning, long-range strategy, and market prioritization.
• Develop and maintain forecasting models that connect external market signals to Ecolab growth opportunities in water management, process optimization, energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational resilience.
• Produce executive-ready reports and presentations that help senior leaders understand market momentum, risks, customer needs, and implications for the Data Centers and Microelectronics portfolio.
• Partner with commercial, strategy, finance, marketing, technology, and supply chain leaders to inform decisions on segment focus, customer targeting, geographic expansion, innovation priorities, and resource allocation.
• Assess the impact of major external trends, including AI-driven computing growth, chip demand, reshoring and regionalization, water scarcity, power availability, environmental regulation, and customer sustainability commitments.
• Support business development and strategic growth initiatives by evaluating market attractiveness, competitive dynamics, customer investment plans, and potential partnership or acquisition opportunities relevant to data centers and microelectronics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, business, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in: business economics, economic forecasting, equity research, market analysis, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in manufacturing end-market analysis and/or macroeconomic analysis.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong intellectual curiosity and critical-thinking capability.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.

Annual Or Hourly Compensation Range

The base salary range for this position is $96,700.00 - $145,100.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.

Potential Customer Requirements Notice

• Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.

Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging

At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran. In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through affirm action (AA). We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.