Justin Walls
Heidelberg,Germany
Summary
Strategic thinker and innovative problem solver with international leadership experience, seeking Executive Role
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Global Engineering for Batteries and European Engineering Hubs
BASF SE
Ludwigshafen, Germany
06.2024 - Current
- Directed global engineering and execution for battery materials and recycling projects, managing stakeholder relationships with business and technology executives.
- Led development of global teams across Shanghai, Ludwigshafen, Schwarzheide, Tarragona, and the United States, overseeing 5 team leads and approximately 50 employees.
- Managed staffing and workload distribution for a diverse global engineering team.
- Steered project activities from initial development through execution and startup phases.
- Created new business and service models for the global engineering team, generating additional project opportunities in previously uninvolved European countries.
- Led 2 organizational restructuring initiatives following project cancellations to enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed new stationary battery storage project portfolio exceeding €500 million, introducing innovative execution models and cost improvement strategies for all regions.
- Contributed as a core member of global engineering continuous improvement team.
Project Manager BMR (Base Metal Refinery) Prototyp
BASF Schwarzheide
Schwarzheide, Germany
01.2022 - 06.2024
- Completed innovative project introducing new technology, new partners and novel execution concepts.
- Developed first-of-its-kind recycling plant in Europe for base metal recovery.
- Coordinated modular skid approach for process units across multiple countries.
- Delivered project on budget despite numerous global challenges.
Team Leader new Global Engineering Hub Schwarzheide
BASF Schwarzheide GmbH
Schwarzheide, Germany
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Led strategic setup of a new multidisciplinary engineering team of 18 members from scratch in less than two years.
- Team led successful execution of numerous large capital projects in Schwarzheide.
- Seamlessly integrated team into European engineering leadership framework.
- Outlined strategic roadmap for developing engineering hubs across Europe, including Spain and Belgium.
Project Manager – Engineering Plastics Plant
BASF China Corp. Ltd.
Shanghai, China
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Managed responsibilities leading up to final approval for 1st plant on new BASF Verbund Site
- International project involving German vendors and local engineering team
- Multi-disciplinary and multi-unit coordination for setup of new site
- Technology Manager – Catalyst New Business Asia
- Successfully set up strategic development of projects and sites in Asia
- Transferred technologies from US to China
- Initiated projects to support the new business development
- Capital Management – Catalyst Division in Asia
- Interfaced with US and Germany to plan new investments
- Support projects and teams with investment execution and reporting
- Planned investment strategy together with the business unit for China, India and Japan
- Project Manger – 2 new mobile emissions catalyst production lines
- Interface between China and India as one production line was relocated to China
- Managed a project to build a new production line including interfacing with local operations and German technology and equipment providers
Project Manager
BASF Corporation
Wyandotte, USA
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Managed $33M investment project in North America
- Successfully managed a cross functional team to meet or exceed every milestone while maintaining transparency at all levels
- Prepared documentation and gained management alignment for project board approval
- Influenced and presented to global leaders in monthly Steering Committee meetings
- Assisted Performance Materials business unit with capital planning
- Achieved overall capital budget within 2% of target every year
- Piloted new capital management and planning strategy to improve execution of capital allocation
- Focused on capital planning by evaluating safety, reliability and ROI projects
- Improved project portfolio flexibility to meet capital allocation targets for the business globally
- Coordinated with plant operations, supervised contract workers, and interfaced with multiple levels of management for successful project development and execution for multiple projects
- Attained >$2M in value-based engineering and construction savings
- Exceeded cost, schedule, and safety KPI targets annually
- Managed $21M project as interim project manager. Achieved milestone cost and execution targets while providing continued support for 2 operating manufacturing plants
- Led “Speed” team to effectively expedite small projects. Process successfully implemented for over 60 projects in the first year
- Represented Wyandotte as a member of the North American Lean Project Initiative with focus on simplifying project management processes for cost savings and KPI improvements
- Developed new project manager on-boarding process and managed intern and Co-Op personnel
Application Engineer
BASF Corporation - Professional Development Program
07.2013 - 03.2015
- Supported key customers through test engineering, data analysis, trouble shooting, product presentations and technical service
- Managed catalyst testing for cost reduction and technology screening projects, including participating in the General Motors competition for which BASF was granted the award for the business
- Created pricing database for more efficient prototype/sales pricing and service part history
- Analyzed financial records to explore new opportunities for profit growth
- E-mobility Cross Business Unit 2020 Strategy Team – New Market Development Engineer
- Analyzed and created business cases based on market projections and research
- Managed the technical development of a new opportunity for BASF in the e-mobility market space
- Performed lab scale development and proof of concept work
- Drafted invention records and led prototype trials/testing
Education
Master of Science - Thermal Fluid Science
Wayne State University
08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Wayne State University
05.2013
Master of Business Administration - Corporate Finance
Wayne State University
Skills
- Team leadership
- Project management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Creativity and innovation
- Strategies and goals
- Visionary leadership
- Decision-making
Conferences
American Council on Germany Young Leaders Conference, 2025
Nominated by the BASF North America CEO and accepted as 1 of 50 participants meeting with high level German government officials to discuss bi-lateral relations between the US and Germany. Focus topics included: trade, defense, industry and political collaboration.
AIChE Conference, 2012
Presented research findings on Vandium Redox Flow battery system
Research
- Alternative Energy Technology Laboratory Wayne State University, 12/12 - 05/13, Constructed Vanadium Redox Flow Battery system for higher density energy storage applications. Tested improved nano-particulate membrane and electrode properties for enhanced performance.
- National Biofuels Energy Laboratory, 05/11 - 11/12, Monitored and maintained bio-reactors used to grow algae for conversion into biodiesel fuel for alternative energy source. Developed filtration system used as intermediate step in the algae growth process.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
German
Limited
Ukrainian
Limited
Timeline
Director of Global Engineering for Batteries and European Engineering Hubs
BASF SE
06.2024 - Current
Project Manager BMR (Base Metal Refinery) Prototyp
BASF Schwarzheide
01.2022 - 06.2024
Team Leader new Global Engineering Hub Schwarzheide
BASF Schwarzheide GmbH
01.2022 - 01.2024
Project Manager – Engineering Plastics Plant
BASF China Corp. Ltd.
01.2019 - 01.2022
Project Manager
BASF Corporation
01.2015 - 01.2018
Application Engineer
BASF Corporation - Professional Development Program
07.2013 - 03.2015
Master of Science - Thermal Fluid Science
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Wayne State University
Master of Business Administration - Corporate Finance
Wayne State University
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