Director Chemicals China

The Director –of Chemicals China will lead the strategic sourcing activities and other commercial activities for petrochemicals from Chinese producers for export to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This role requires a seasoned professional with strong commercial acumen, deep market knowledge, and the ability to build long-term partnerships while managing price and market risks.
The successful candidate will drive business development, co-create value propositions with suppliers, and optimize contribution margins across global trade flows.The role reports to President of Entrepreneurial Unit Asia, who is based in Singapore.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for bulk petrochemicals from Chinese producers.
• Lead complex negotiations to secure favorable terms and long-term agreements.
Strategic Account Management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key Chinese petrochemical producers.
• Develop joint business plans and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Business Development
• Identify new sourcing opportunities and expand product portfolio and supplier base.
• Build and maintain a robust funnel of suppliers and products.
• Work closely with colleagues across regions and functions to identify opportunities.
Value Co-Creation
• Understand the needs of producers and co-create value propositions tailored to suppliers.
• Develop innovative commercial models to strengthen partnerships.
Financial & Margin Management
• Demonstrate deep understanding of end-to-end contribution margins.
• Optimize sourcing decisions to maximize profitability.Price & Market Risk Management
Price & Market Risk Management
• Manage price volatility and market risk through hedging strategies and contractual mechanisms.
• Work with colleagues on hedging strategies to mitigate exposure.
Global Coordination
• Align sourcing plans with regional demand forecasts.
• Oversee export logistics and documentation for international shipments.
Risk & Compliance
• Ensure adherence to company policies, trade regulations, and sustainability standards.
Market Intelligence
• Monitor Chinese petrochemical market trends and competitor activities.
• Provide insights to support business development and growth initiatives.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in petrochemicals sourcing with strong exposure to Chinese markets.
• Proven track record in strategic account management, commercial negotiations, and partnership building.
• Deep understanding of global petrochemical trade flows, pricing mechanisms, and logistics.
• Native Mandarin speaker and fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated strong leadership capabilities, including coaching, developing, and performance-managing a team of 4–5 professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.

Preferred Attributes
• Strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional communicator able to influence and build trust across cultures.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Familiarity with sustainability and ESG requirements in chemical sourcing.