Wayne T. Smith has been appointed chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation, US subsidiary of the Ludwigshafen, Germany-based chemical producer. In the position, he replaces Hans Engel, who previously served in the double function of US chief and chief financial officer.

Engel will retain the CFO function in addition to other duties within the global group.

The new US chief executive, a native of Rochester, New York, began his career at BASF Corporation in 2004 as group vice president for the regional intermediates business unit. He was appointed to the BASF group managing board in 2012.

Smith will continue to serve on the BASF board, where he has global responsibility for the catalysts, coatings and performance materials divisions.