Business Unit Controller – Finance Leadership Role

About the role

We are seeking a Business Unit Controller to join BASF’s Intermediates team in Houston, TX. The role serves as the primary finance business partner to the Chemical Intermediates leadership team, delivering transparent performance management, forward‑looking insights, and supporting strategic and operational decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Act as trusted financial partner to Business Directors, Product Management and regional leadership, providing visibility into performance.
• Deliver profitability, cost driver, and risk analyses, including variance analysis versus plan, forecast and prior year.
• Lead annual planning and forecasting processes and ensure high‑quality, timely reporting aligned with global standards.
• Monitor cost structures, margins and profitability across product lines, regions and customer segments.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of four direct reports, driving engagement and capability development.
• Support pricing, portfolio and volume decisions through robust financial analysis.
• Ensure compliance with corporate controlling guidelines, accounting policies and internal controls.
• Assist capital investment business cases, restructuring and portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement of financial processes, reporting and analytics using digital tools, BI solutions and AI.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or Economics (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in controlling, finance or accounting, preferably in a chemical, manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience managing culturally diverse teams (strongly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of management accounting, cost accounting, profitability analysis and financial steering.
• Proven ability to work in a matrixed, international organization.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• High business acumen and stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Proactive, independent working style with a continuous‑improvement mindset.
• High affinity for digital tools, BI systems and standardized finance processes.

Required skills

• BI tools
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in finance
• Digital finance tools and platforms

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid model).
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match.
• Comprehensive well‑being programs, including mental health support.
• Family‑forming benefits such as fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and parental leave.
• Back‑up child and elder care with discount programs.
• Mentoring and career development opportunities.
• Matching gifts program for charitable contributions.
• Employee crisis support and access to BASF wine cellar and employee discounts.