China
Our client is a Global Trading Company with more than 20 offices and representations worldwide. They are renowned for their handling of petrochemicals, biofuels, circular feedstock, renewables, Liquefied Natural Gas, Natural Gas, crude oil and petroleum products. The company has manufacturing plants for biofuels in the USA and has marketing agreements with major industry players to collaborate in the decarbonization of the petrochemicals industry. The company culture fosters sustainability, and multi- cultural workforce, gender equality and ESG compliance.
Due to global expansion, they are looking for a motivated and self-driven Petrochemical Sourcing Expert with potential to become Head of their China business.
As a sourcing and procurement expert in products such as petrochemicals, octane components and renewable products, suitable candidates will procure and trade the respective commodities, and in addition could potentially be managing a team of traders in one or two locations in China.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
PETROCHEMICAL SOURCING EXPERT/HEAD OF CHINA OFFICE
Duties & Responsibilities:
• In addition to the matrix system currently prevailing within the organization under the leadership of global products coordinators, support the preparation of a strategic business plan for the China market.
• Sourcing and procurement of numerous products within the petrochemical’s portfolio. Detailed knowledge of exporting products from China
• Advance and expand the company’s existing business with customers and suppliers in the respective industry in accordance with the strategic objectives as set by the global products coordinators.
• Encourage an effective team collaboration of the traders in China and with the rest of the organization.
• Share your knowhow, ideas, and network from your experience with the team.
• Prepare regular reports and analysis on the Chinese market with future perspective and suggestion for initiatives and action steps that would further the company’s business in China and globally.
• Ensure customer and supplier organisations that are brought by you complete the KYC process and are of good financial and moral standing as potential business partners for the company.
• Support participation in formal tenders and/or potential projects.
• Ensure professional handling of logistics such as storage and shipping.
• Develop and execute successful negotiation strategies for long-term contracts with suppliers and consumers.
• Ensure integration and active dialogue between the China team and the various teams in other Asian offices such as in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, and Singapore
• Advise in matters relating to local law and taxation and ensure compliance with local laws.
Qualifications:
• Minimum 10 years relevant working experience in domestic sourcing and global trading of petrochemicals and or renewables
• Possess knowledge of de-carbonization, and bio/circular feedstock transformation goals of the industry
• Entrepreneurial, able to build fruitful relationships with clients, profit focused and able to perform under intense pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Awareness of potential Credit and performance risk which should be avoided.
• Excellent leadership skills, leading by example. Loyalty and allegiance
• Fluency in Mandarin and English (written and oral) is a requirement.
• Other international languages would be a plus.
Location:
• Shanghai, China
Our client is a world-leading trader of metallurgical feedstock and end-products, as well as the owner of multiple world-class metal mining assets. They specialize in trading both ferrous metals, including iron ore and steel, and non-ferrous metals such as niobium, copper, and aluminum. With established trading hubs in Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, and Singapore, they are a significant player in the global metals market.
Due to expansion, they are seeking a Business Development Manager (Nanocrystalline) – China. This role will focus on the field of soft magnetic materials, developing the company’s network among power component designers and producers, and increasing awareness and applications of nanocrystalline technology. Additionally, the Business Development Manager will bridge the gap between nanocrystalline component manufacturers and users by promoting showcases, proofs of concept, and proofs of value.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (NANOCRYSTALLINE) – CHINA
Responsibilities:
• Conduct market research on potential applications of nanocrystalline materials, exploring application opportunities to provide technical guidance to device companies and end-users.
• Deliver seminars on nanocrystalline materials and related applications.
• Facilitate domestic/international technology exchanges and promote related technologies.
• Develop cooperation projects related to nanocrystalline materials and promote technological findings.
• Other tasks assigned by the Niobium Products Department.
Qualifications and Requirements:
• A master’s degree or higher in metal physics, material science, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in nanocrystalline materials research and application is required.
• Familiarity with the advantages of nanocrystalline materials, and experience conducting multiple related research and application projects.
• Knowledge about the requirements of magnetic material devices in new energy fields (e.g. electric vehicles and renewable energy storage).
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Mandarin.
• Outstanding skills in communication, organizational, coordination, and public relations.
• Responsibility, carefulness, perseverance, and adaptability to frequent travels are required.
• Preference for candidates with experience in nanocrystalline material device design and applications, overseas or joint venture work experience; involvement in international cooperation projects related to nanocrystalline materials is desirable.
• A PhD degree with research experience focusing on nanocrystalline materials is desirable.
Other competencies:
• Ability to develop working relationships with people from different backgrounds (customers, salespeople, production shop operators, industry leaders)
• Good communication skills
• Proactive
• Excellent adaptation skills
Our client is the world’s leading producer of Niobium, a metal that belongs to the transition metals. When very pure, it’s soft, ductile, and highly resistant to corrosion. Niobium products are obtained from metallurgy processes and because it enhances properties and functionality, Niobium is used in a wide range of materials, such as alloy steel and oxides, and applications in sectors like mobility, energy, and construction. As the world transitions towards a greener future, role of Niobium-enhanced nanocrystalline magnetic materials in applications like batteries, inverters/converters, on-board chargers, and charging stations becomes indispensable in driving innovation towards a more sustainable and electrified world.
Niobium can contribute to the creation of more efficient and sustainable energy solutions, be it through the advancement of next-generation batteries, or the development of powerful nanocrystalline magnetic materials. Through its diverse roles in energy storage, conversion, and transfer, Niobium is assuming a pivotal role in advancing the generation of cleaner energy, bringing us closer to a carbon-neutral future.
Due to expansion, they are seeking a seasoned expert to join their Cathode Materials team to develop the next generation of cathode active materials (CAM) containing niobium. As a Cathode Technology Specialist, responsibilities include the development of processes for scaling-up and manufacturing cathode active materials including identifying or developing production technologies. These technologies are key for scaling cost-effective processes that meet the high-quality needs of niobium containing CAM.
The expert should be experienced in technical application, technical assistance and project management in cathode related projects.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
CATHODE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST – APAC
Responsibilities:
• Provide engineering expertise to identify, develop and implement production technologies for the scale-up and production of niobium containing cathode active materials.
• Develop a technology roadmap to support our business strategy and customer needs. Define and lead technology projects.
• Creating intellectual property (IP) within our technical partners and working with the legal team to write and file patent applications.
• Providing technical expertise to the commercial and business development teams and wider CBMM senior management and stakeholders.
• Working closely with cathode materials suppliers, implementing development projects and partnerships for niobium containing cathode materials
• Following up cathode materials synthesis, analysis and evaluation in test cells within our partners
• Supporting the implementation of cathode materials for CBMM customers from material selection to production
• Scouting and analyzing technical trends, conducting literature and patent research
Requirements:
• Completed technical/university studies in chemistry, electrochemistry, material science, physics, chemical engineering or comparable qualification
• Professional work experience (7+ years) in the development of cathode materials
• Expert knowledge in the development of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
• Profound knowledge of battery cells and electromobility
• Strong ability to work in a team, also and above all willingness and desire to cooperate in an innovative and international environment
• Strong ability of self-organization and good communication skills
• Experience building bridges cross-functionally to align and execute common goals and deliver results in a matrix organization.
• English and Mandarin proficiency is mandatory, Portuguese shall be considered a plus
• Knowledge of environmental legislation trends and impacts for the energy storage market desirable
• Excellent organizational, strategic, planning and implementing skills
• Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills
• Ability to assign and delegate work, problem solve, answer questions and evaluate results of performance
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts
• Ability to follow through and complete overlapping projects
Job Position:
• Full time
Language Skills:
• English & Mandarin mandatory
Our client is the world’s leading producer of Niobium, a metal that belongs to the transition metals. When very pure, it’s soft, ductile, and highly resistant to corrosion. Niobium products are obtained from metallurgy processes and because it enhances properties and functionality, Niobium is used in a wide range of materials, such as alloy steel and oxides, and applications in sectors like mobility, energy, and construction. As the world transitions towards a greener future, role of Niobium-enhanced nanocrystalline magnetic materials in applications like batteries, inverters/converters, on-board chargers, and charging stations becomes indispensable in driving innovation towards a more sustainable and electrified world.
Niobium can contribute to the creation of more efficient and sustainable energy solutions, be it through the advancement of next-generation batteries, or the development of powerful nanocrystalline magnetic materials. Through its diverse roles in energy storage, conversion, and transfer, Niobium is assuming a pivotal role in advancing the generation of cleaner energy, bringing us closer to a carbon-neutral future.
Due to expansion, they are seeking a Business Development Manager – Batteries – China to be responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining customer accounts, with the focus in the global supply chain of the lithium-ion battery market. The Business Development Manager will define and implement a commercial strategy with the goal to increase the growth of niobium products sales among selected OEM´s, battery cells, cathode, and anode manufacturer accounts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – BATTERIES – CHINA
Objective:
The Business Development Manager will assume a key role in developing, managing, and maintaining customer accounts for the company, with the focus on the global supply chain of the lithium-ion battery market. The Business Development Manager will define and implement a commercial strategy with the goal to increase the growth of niobium products sales among selected OEM´s, battery cells, cathode, and anode manufacturer accounts. We seek a talented, motivated, and top performer professional to join the team in this role with experience in business development in a B2B environment.
Responsibilities:
• Support business development in its engagement efforts to develop new potential customers for niobium in the market of lithium-ion batteries.
• Leverage and expand existing contact bases to develop new customers that could apply niobium compounds for lithium-ion batteries. This includes researching and engaging with organizations to develop additional leads for prospective customers, including but not limited to electric vehicle manufacturers, lithium-ion battery manufacturers, cathode and anode manufacturers, energy storage developers, electronic system integration manufacturers and material recyclers.
• Manage existing customer accounts to maintain high degree of customer satisfaction and company´s business reputation and leadership.
• Manage all necessary contract documentation including one-time service agreements, master service agreements, vendor setup documentation, and billing for specified accounts.
• Develop forecast models for commodity demand of material components of the battery sector (e.g., Co, Li, Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, Zr, Mo, Ta, W). Build a strong knowledge base of technology and demand trends in the tech metals space to support the best commercial policy for niobium products in this market.
• Assist the commercial and market intelligence team with contract pricing, assessing risk and exposure of CBMM products and tracking the global lithium-ion battery market and related upstream/downstream markets (cobalt, nickel, lithium, molybdenum, zirconium, tungsten, tantalum)
• Support additional Business Development work streams as needed.
• Support Executive Manager and team in other work streams as required.
• Market analysis, Strategy development and intelligence
Requirements:
• University Degree in Business, Economics or Engineering preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in business development and customer management
• 5-7 years of experience in the battery supply chain industry
• Desirable having substantial experience and hands-on skills in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries supply chain mainly related with core materials and metals for lithium-ion batteries including manufacturing steps.
• Good knowledge in cells manufacturing such as slurry preparation, electrode deposition, drying, calendering, slitting will be considered a plus.
• Proven experience negotiating and closing supply agreements.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation trends and impacts for the energy storage market desirable.
• Excellent organizational, strategic, planning and implementing skills.
• Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills
• Ability to assign and delegate work, problem solve, answer questions, and evaluate results of performance.
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
• Ability to follow through and complete overlapping projects.
• Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome internal challenges or obstacles.
Job Position:
• Full time
Competencies:
• A hands-on leader with a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• High-level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation
• Proactive self-starter, entrepreneurial, with an ‘owner’s mindset’
• Consistently delivers quality work on time, with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and creative problem-solving skills
• Exceptional oral communication, writing and editing skills.
• Motivated, methodical, and optimistic
• Demonstrated interest in cleantech, electric vehicles or renewable energy a plus.
Language Skills:
• English mandatory
• Chinese mandatory
