Now hiring! Manager for Natural Gas Trading/Origination

Houston, TX (Hybrid)

We are looking for a Manager for Natural Gas Trading/Origination to join our Direct Global Procurement team in Houston, TX.

Global Direct and Logistics Procurement (GPD) oversees the strategic procurement of raw materials and logistics services for the BASF Group worldwide. Within this framework, Direct Procurement Americas (GPD/N) manages the procurement of raw materials for BASF sites across the Americas. This includes over 100 regionally managed categories such as power, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, amines, and plastic additives. The team also optimizes the procurement of raw materials via distribution partners and negotiates contract manufacturing agreements.

BASF International Trading (BIT) manages global commodity trading and supply strategies across energy and chemical markets, operating around the clock through key hubs in Europe, Asia, and North America. Leveraging expertise in physical and financial trading, BIT helps secure supply, manage risk, and create value for BASF and its customers worldwide.

In this role, you will help manage and optimize one of the largest industrial natural gas portfolios in North America, leading physical trading activities, supporting risk management, and driving business growth through origination and commercial development. As Manager, Natural Gas Trading & Origination, you will play a critical role in securing reliable gas supply while generating value through strategic market positioning and trading opportunities.

Come create chemistry with us!

As a Manager for Natural Gas Trading/Origination, you create chemistry by...

• Monitoring North American energy markets and developing own market analysis of North American Natural Gas.
• Managing and optimize BASF's natural gas portfolio across the Gulf Coast and Southeast U.S., balancing physical supply requirements with market opportunities.
• Executing and managing physical natural gas transactions, transportation agreements, and financial hedges.
• Identifying and execute profitable physical and to a lesser extent financial trading strategies to capture value from market volatility, basis differentials, seasonal spreads, and infrastructure constraints.
• Developing and maintaining short-, medium-, and long-term market views and translate them into actionable trading and risk management strategies.
• Taking ownership of commercial opportunities that enhance portfolio performance and improve overall earnings.
• Acquiring pipeline capacity to support internal supply and external business opportunities.
• Negotiating commercial agreements for infrastructure, mainly focused on pipelines.
• Supporting other team members in their negotiations and/or directly negotiate structured transactions regardless of supply, market, AMA, transportation, or storage to generate overall profit.
• Collaborating with manufacturing sites, schedulers, risk management, and commercial teams to ensure secure and cost-effective gas supply to BASF's production assets.
• Acting as a key interface between trading, operations, accounting, risk control, and external counterparties to efficiently resolve market and operational issues.

If you...

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Logistics, Accounting, Engineering, Energy Management, Science, or a related field.
• Bring 5+ years of experience in natural gas trading, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and trading strategies.
• Have experience using financial risk management tools to support trading decisions and optimize portfolio performance.
• Have origination experience and a proven ability to identify, develop, and execute commercial opportunities within the natural gas market.
• Possess a solid understanding of natural gas trading concepts and hands-on experience working with ETRM systems.
• Leverage strong analytical and problem-solving skills to investigate discrepancies, reconcile data, and make informed business decisions.
• Demonstrate a commercial mindset with the ability to recognize and capitalize on market opportunities that create value.
• Bring business development and negotiation experience working with producers, marketers, utilities, industrial customers, or energy service providers.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate confidently with cross-functional stakeholders while exercising sound business judgment.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment and are able to support time-sensitive operational needs, including occasional after-hours, weekend, or holiday coverage.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact Careers.NorthAmerica@basf.com to report fraud.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.