Karriere

Kick-start your career: TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program

Are you ready to accelerate your career as a leader? Then apply now for our TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program.

BASF’s international junior management trainee program offers top talents the opportunity to accelerate their career development and take on a leadership position in general management.

Trainee program overview

Duration

• 3 years in total with 3 rotations each for 1 year

• High responsibility and real impact from day one

Your journey

• Option to shape your own journey depending on background and interest

• Flexibility to choose from different business functions

Location

• Germany or China as starting point

• At least 1 year in an international assignment

Development

• Annual management training and personal coaching

• Regular feedback sessions and development pla

Exposure

• Trainee program sponsored by a steering council inclusive BoD members and presidents

• Individual mentoring by a senior manager

Community

• Strong program community for support and fun

• Several alumni in leadership roles available for exchange

What we expect

We are looking for exceptional business graduates and young professionals with a global mindset and leadership potential: You hold an excellent degree (Master’s, PhD, or MBA) and have no more than three years of work experience. On top of your management expertise, you ideally bring a general technical curiosity or even have a background that combines management and technology. Initial practical experience through demanding internships with leading employers is expected. Fluent English, along with at least one additional language is essential to us. You possess excellent communication skills, empathy, and a genuine enjoyment of working in teams. Curiosity, flexibility, a solution-oriented mindset, and a desire to drive change and tackle challenges are other key qualities we value.

Program structure

The program offers an excellent start to a successful career in general management. Over a three-year period, you will complete three rotations, with at least one having an international focus. We offer roles with a high responsibility. With a one-year assignment, you can make a real impact from day one by driving business-critical projects and initiatives. There is no predefined structure for this trainee program. You have the opportunity to shape your program experience based on your background and interests. BASF provides a wide range of opportunities across various industries, countries, and functions, making the program unique for each participant.

Your opportunities to development

The trainee program is designed to maximize your potential to become a future leader. Learn and grow in an international and inspiring environment where your unique ideas and perspectives are valued. Receive regular and open feedback to support your development. In regular workshops with your TOP START colleagues, you will learn key leadership skills from top coaches and reflect on your behavior in individual coaching sessions. A personal bond with a senior executive mentor, along with regular interactions with top managers, will support your development beyond the rotation program. Additionally, the TOP START alumni network offers a strong community and global connections.

Application process

Learn more about the application process

Apply for TOP START (Germany)

You can apply here now.

Candidates for the TOP START trainee program in Germany are encouraged to attend the Future Leaders Summit.

Apply for Future Leaders Summit

You can apply here now.

The Future Leaders Summit is an exclusive career event for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program.

Learn more about the event

Apply for TOP START (China)

You can apply here now.

Candidates for the TOP START trainee program in China are free to participate in the Future Leaders Summit.

Voices of TOP START alumni

Jannik Heine

What impressed you most during your time in the trainnee program?

Alisha Van Dyck

What surprised you about the trainee program?

Sophie Clamann

What advice would you give to future applicants?

Further Information

Application process

Application

After your application, a recruiter specialized in TOP START will thoroughly and objectively review your resume and documents based on the program criteria. You will receive initial feedback from our recruiting center within five business days.

Online assessment

If your profile meets our program criteria, we will invite you to an online assessment. In total, the assessment takes around 90-minutes and will help us to better understand your key drivers and motivators at work, your preferred working style and aspects of your work-related personality, as well as your level of critical reasoning. Your results will be compared with the results of other candidates. After completing the test, you will receive a personalized feedback report outlining your strengths and areas for development.

Video interview with recruiter

In a personal video interview, our TOP START recruiter will ask about your interest and motivation for BASF and the trainee program. You will have the opportunity to discuss your career goals, general experiences and skills with us. Additionally, we encourage you to ask any questions you may have.

For candidates who apply for the Future Leaders Summit, we will skip this step.

Video interview with program manager

In a video interview you have the chance to meet the program manager, who is eager to get to know you better and understand why you are the right fit for this unique opportunity. During this conversation we will discuss a possible program structure based on your background and interests. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the trainee program and our company.

Optional: Future Leaders Summit

If you applied to the Future Leaders Summit and successfully completed all previous steps, you will be invited to join the event. The summit offers an exceptional chance to get to know BASF in depth, meet our senior management up to board level and exchange with the existing TOP START community.

The Future Leaders Summit takes place in Germany and is recommended for all candidates applying for the Germany Track. If agreed on, also candidates applying for the China Track can join the Future Leaders Summit, but this is not a prerequisite to join the program.

Final interview round with senior managers

As a last step before the final offer, you will have a final interview round with 4-5 senior managers, including a member of the BASF board and presidents. Interviews will be conducted either online or in person, as agreed upon beforehand. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the big picture and your ability to take a broad perspective. You will also discuss bold ideas for addressing current and future challenges in global business. Within a few days you will receive your final feedback from the program manager.

Final offer

After successfully completing the final interview round, we will contact you to discuss contract details and explore ideas for how the trainee program can be tailored to you, including possible rotations. We will also discuss the start date, which is flexibel not predetermined for all candidates.

Future Leaders Summit

The Future Leaders Summit is an exclusive career event for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program. During the event, participants will get a glimpse into what a career at BASF can look like as well as the opportunity to network with diverse and ambitious young leaders within our company and with members of the board.

The Future Leaders Summit is an optional offer. You can apply for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program without attending the Future Leaders Summit. Please see the different postings available.

Learn more about the Future Leaders Summit

Frequently asked questions

When is the application deadline for the TOP START trainee program?

There is no application deadline. However, we recommend applying at least 4 months prior to the preferred entry date to have sufficient time to complete the recruiting process.

Some of our TOP START participants have also highlighted that applying more than 4 months prior to the preferred entry date is recommended. It offers you the possibility to sign your contract early and write your master thesis or to travel after graduation without worrying about job applications.

Which documents are required to apply?

Please attach the following documents with your application: motivation letter, CV (please add your final/current average grade in your CV). High school diploma, Bachelor’s degree with grades, Master’s degree with grades or current transcript pf grades, work references (letter or person of contact), GMAT Test Score (if available), and certificates.

What is the maximun file size I can upload?

Files such as scanned certificates must be no larger than 5 MB each. Please try to use PDF formats.

In which language do I apply?

English is the preferred language, but applications in German are also accepted.

Can I apply for both, the Future Leaders Summit and the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program in parallel?

Please only apply to either one of the two. If you wish to attend the Future Leaders Summit, please apply for the event. If you do not wish to attend the Future Leaders Summit, apply directly for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program.

I don’t have a business background. Can I still apply for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program?

While we primarily seek candidates with a business background, we are also open to exciting profiles looking to transition into business. However, you should have already gained some experience in a business context, for example, through internships or professional positions.

What is the privacy policy regarding the online application system?

All data provided to BASF is handled strictly in accordance with German data protection legislation. HR details, including candidate information obtained via our online application system, are treated in the strictest confidence and are used exclusively for application purposes.

How long does the recruiting process take from application to the final feedback?

The end-to-end recruiting process takes on average 3 to 4 months.

When will I receive feedback after the final interview day?

Typically, you will receive feedback within a few days after your final interviews.

If you participate in the Future Leaders Summit, which usually takes place in May each year, interviews will take place the week following the summit, and you will receive final feedback within a few days.

Is there a fixed date upon which I have to start my first rotation?

The TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program offers you flexibility to start all year round, there are no fixed entry dates.

What is the start location and where will I get a contract?

The trainee program starts either in Germany (Ludwigshafen) or China (Shanghai). We will align with you on the location at the beginning of the recruiting process. Please also see the different postings for the locations when applying.