Regional Total Rewards Manager EMEA (m/f/d)

Your Role As Regional Total Rewards Manager EMEA (m/f/d)

you will lead the compensation and benefits strategy, governance, and execution across approximately 41 countries in the EMEA region. This strategic leadership role serves as the key connection between the Global Total Rewards function and regional HR and business leadership teams. The role will lead the coordination of both global and local Total Rewards strategies and oversee the implementation and execution of programs based on global priorities and local market needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, governance, and execution of Total Rewards programs across EMEA markets, including compensation, benefits, and incentive programs.
• Own compensation and benefits programs, including salary structures, market benchmarking, job grading, annual merit cycles, incentives, sales compensation, benefits, wellness, retention, and recognition.
• Serve as senior Total Rewards advisor to regional executives, HRBPs, country HR leaders, and business stakeholders on complex compensation and benefits matters.
• Drive pay competitiveness and internal equity through market analysis, job architecture, leveling, compensation structures, and workforce cost optimization.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across EMEA, including EU Pay Transparency requirements, local labor and tax regulations, statutory benefits, reporting, and governance.
• Lead regional compensation and bonus cycles, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent execution in alignment with global processes and timelines.
• Provide expert guidance on executive and senior-level compensation, including hiring offers, promotions, retention, mobility, restructuring, and workforce planning.
• Partner cross-functionally with Global Total Rewards, HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, HRIS, and external vendors to manage risk and deliver effective programs.
• Drive Total Rewards transformation and operational excellence, improving scalability, automation, systems, reporting, governance, and employee experience.
• Monitor EMEA market trends and emerging practices, translating economic, regulatory, and talent-market developments into actionable Total Rewards recommendations for leadership.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive Total Rewards experience, including significant EMEA regional responsibility in a multinational environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing compensation and benefits across multiple EMEA countries and complex regulatory environments.
• Strong expertise in compensation strategy, salary structures, incentives, sales compensation, benefits, job architecture, benchmarking, and annual compensation cycles.
• Strong understanding of EMEA labor markets, regulatory requirements, pay transparency, and local market practices.
• Proven experience advising and influencing senior business and HR leaders.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.
• Experience working with HRIS, compensation systems, analytics, and advanced Excel.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, multicultural, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Fluent English; additional European languages are an advantage.

Our Offer

• Exciting professional tasks and challenges in a diverse and secure working environment with the world market leader in the chemical distribution industry and DAX listed company
• Arrange your working hours and breaks flexible via your flextime account; thanks to our company's internal regulation on mobile working, your professional and private life can be combined even better
• Our personalized onboarding program, guarantees that you will be off to a quick start
• A competitive remuneration package awaits you
• Take advantage of our company-sponsored pension scheme
• Our "House of Elements" offers modern and ergonomic workplaces, an award-winning company restaurant, and a selection of complimentary coffee varieties
• Your well-being is very important to us: Take advantage of our preventive health care offers, and enjoy 30 relaxing days of holiday per year
• Stay fit and do your bit for the environment at the same time: Lease your dream bike conveniently via Brenntag
• Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization.

We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic.

We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Brenntag TA Team

Brenntag is the leading global distributor of chemicals and ingredients, committed to connecting customers and suppliers within networks. We add value for our customers and partners every step of the way: through our product knowledge, innovation, and sustainable solutions, combined with our passion for service excellence and commitment to safety.

Headquartered in Essen, Germany, and with more than 17,500 experts at about 600 locations in 72 countries, our two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, offer a full range of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients. Therefore, our clients and partners can count on us for global reach combined with local agility and execution.

As an employer, we embrace diversity and foster a sense of community and collaboration in an environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas and work together. We engage our employees in the company’s mission for collective success, by building long-term stability and safety through trust and clarity across the organization. We believe in empowering our employees to reach their full potential and shape the future.

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