Global Product Owner Smart Manufacturing & Performance

About the role

The Global Product Owner for Smart Manufacturing & Performance will lead the digital agenda for BASF's agricultural manufacturing sites, covering active ingredients, formulation, filling, packaging and biologicals. The role is based in one of four US locations and drives a unified product family across manufacturing operations.

Key responsibilities

• Translate manufacturing strategies into a global digital vision and roadmap, establishing standards and avoiding local one‑off solutions.
• Own the end‑to‑end digital product family, ensuring plant performance data is trusted and comparable across sites.
• Build and prioritize a pipeline of smart manufacturing use cases such as process optimization, predictive quality, advanced process control and digital twins.
• Manage the product backlog, set OKRs, control the budget and prepare inputs for quarterly business reviews.
• Coordinate with technology units, industrial automation, quality, maintenance, logistics and ERP/ data platforms.

Required profile

• Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology, IT or related field.
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience in chemical, formulation or biotechnology environments.
• Hands‑on experience with manufacturing performance management, Lean Manufacturing or Operational Excellence.
• Strong understanding of MES, plant data and advanced analytics/AI applications.
• Proven product ownership or agile delivery experience, including vision, roadmap and backlog management.
• Fluent English and ability to travel up to 20% globally.

Required skills

• MES
• Advanced analytics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Agile product delivery

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements where possible.
• 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.
• Back‑up child and elder care discounts.
• Mentoring, career development and matching gifts programs.
• Employee discounts, access to BASF wine cellar and more.