MBA Leadership Development Program (LDP) Internship

Job Description

About the Company

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company, dedicated to creating chemistry through the power of connected minds. They strive to build a more sustainable future by balancing economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. With a global presence, BASF helps customers in nearly every industry meet the current and future needs of society through science and innovation.

North American Operations: BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. In North America, BASF has approximately 16,000 employees and reported sales of $19.7 billion in 2024.

Mission & Vision: BASF’s ambition is to be the preferred chemical company that enables its customers’ green transformation. They combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, with around 112,000 employees worldwide contributing to the success of customers across various sectors and countries.

Portfolio: The BASF Group’s core businesses comprise the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care. Standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions.

Workplace Culture & Recognition: BASF is committed to fostering an exceptional workplace that champions diversity and prioritizes employee well-being and development, emphasizing lifelong learning and career development. Their dedication has earned them numerous accolades:
• 2024-25: Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health from Mental Health America.
• 2024-25: Business Group on Health’s Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Well-being award.
• 2025: Recognized by PLANSPONSOR for a Best In Class 401(k) Plan.
• 2024: Ranked among the Top 50 Employers by readers of Minority Engineer Magazine.
• 2024: Fair360 (formerly Diversity Inc) placed BASF 22nd on its Top 50 Companies List.
• Named one of America’s Best Large Employers and one of the World’s Best Employers by Forbes and Statista.
• 2025: Achieved a top score in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for the 11th consecutive year, earning the “Equality 100 Award” for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

Commitments: BASF is an equal opportunity employer committed to pay transparency, ensuring all qualified applicants 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.

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Job Description: MBA Leadership Development Program (LDP) Internship

The MBA Leadership Development Program (LDP) Internship at BASF is a 10 to 12-week program designed for MBA students to gain hands-on experience within dynamic commercial teams. Interns will work on impactful projects that support business objectives, collaborating closely with seasoned professionals to gain insights into commercial processes and strategies. This experience aims to accelerate career growth by providing leadership opportunities and strategic insights essential for a successful future in general management.

Key Program Features:

• Program Overview: Immerse in dynamic commercial teams, gain hands-on experience, and work on impactful projects that support business objectives. Collaborate with seasoned professionals to understand commercial processes and strategies.
• Skills Developed: Participants will gain essential skills in project management, strategy implementation, business development, and more, preparing them for leadership roles in general management.
• Dynamic Environment: No two days are alike, as interns engage in a dynamic environment, tackling diverse challenges, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and adapting to rapidly changing situations. The role offers opportunities to innovate and problem-solve in real-time.

Key Areas of Impact:

• Preparing Operational Plans: Crafting detailed plans to enhance organizational efficiency, ensure alignment with strategic objectives, and drive performance and productivity.
• Conducting Comprehensive Market Research: Executing in-depth market research to identify emerging trends and provide actionable insights for informed decision-making.
• Analyzing Financial Viability: Performing thorough break-even assessments to evaluate financial viability, guiding strategic project investments, and ensuring optimal resource allocation.
• Innovating Supply Chain Processes: Designing and implementing robust processes to strengthen supplier relationships and enhance overall supply chain effectiveness.
• Developing Strategic Initiatives: Formulating and executing strategic initiatives that drive growth and promote sustainability across product lines, positioning the organization for long-term success.

Professional Development:

• Exposure to Tools: Gain exposure to business applications and digital tools such as PowerBI, SAP, and Tableau.
• Project Presentation: At the end of the internship, interns will present their summer project to fellow interns, BASF employees, and senior leaders, showcasing their impact and contributions.

Mentorship:

• Each participant is assigned a peer mentor, who is a full-time program participant, to guide them throughout the program.
• Opportunities to develop expertise, network at senior levels, and establish mentoring relationships that can span an entire career.

Networking Opportunities:

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Interns can participate in ERGs at their assigned site.
• Orientation: A week-long orientation provides opportunities to engage with alumni and executive leadership at BASF headquarters in New Jersey.
• Community Service: Interns collaborate with full-time P/LDP program participants to organize and participate in a community service volunteer day in celebration of National Intern Day.

Recruiting Conferences: BASF will be recruiting at the following conferences for this program:

• The Consortium Conference – June 2-4, 2025 (Indianapolis, IN)
• National Black MBA – September 23-26, 2025 (Houston, TX)
• MBA Veterans Conference – October 9-10, 2025 (Atlanta, GA)

Location & Mobility:

• Applicants should be mobile-minded and open to relocation, as placements may be at any BASF site across the country to enhance exposure to diverse business environments and deepen understanding of global operations.
• All assignments are in-person or hybrid.
• Mobility is crucial, with potential internship and future full-time locations including New Jersey, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana.

Compensation:

• Competitive Pay: $4,593 semi-monthly.
• Sign-on Bonus: $7,500.

Candidate Requirements:

• Education: Current MBA student pursuing a career in general management.
• Graduation Date: Between December 2026 and July 2027.
• Work Authorization: Permanently authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
• Relocation: Willingness to relocate anywhere in the country during and after the program.
• Experience:
• Previous leadership experience and academic achievement.
• Active participation in extracurricular activities and on-campus organizations.
• Minimum of 3 years’ and maximum of 10 years’ professional work experience.
• Project management experience is required.
• Strong financial acumen (beneficial).
• International experience (beneficial).
• Strong interest in the manufacturing or chemical industry.

Future Opportunities:

• Interns will be assessed for a potential returning internship offer or a full-time position in BASF’s 2-year rotational program, emphasizing lifelong learning and career development.