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

Brenntag AG; Essen; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Flexible working hours

30 vacation days per year

Bike leasing

Job summary

Brenntag AG in Essen, Germany, is seeking a Regional Total Rewards Manager EMEA to lead compensation and benefits strategy across approximately 41 countries. This role connects Global Total Rewards with regional HR and business leadership, coordinating global and local strategies and ensuring timely, compliant execution.

You will partner with regional executives and cross-functional teams to design competitive programs, drive equity, optimize costs, and oversee regulatory compliance in diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Economics or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive Total Rewards experience, including regional EMEA responsibility.
• Experience managing compensation and benefits across multiple EMEA countries and regulatory environments.
• Strong expertise in compensation strategy, salary structures, incentives, benefits, benchmarking, and annual cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, governance, and execution of Total Rewards programs across EMEA markets (compensation, benefits, incentives).
• Own compensation and benefits programs including salary structures, benchmarking, and annual merit cycles.
• Advise regional executives and HR leaders on complex compensation and benefits matters.
• Drive market competitiveness, internal equity, and cost optimization.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across EMEA, including pay transparency and local regulations.
• Lead regional compensation and bonus cycles aligned with global processes.
• Guide executive and senior-level compensation matters (offers, promotions, mobility).
• Collaborate with Global Total Rewards, HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, HRIS and vendors.

Skills

Total Rewards strategy

Executive advisory

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

HRIS

Compensation systems

Analytics

Excel

Job description

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

The Regional Total Rewards Manager EMEA (m/f/d) is responsible for ensuring Total Rewards programs are competitive, compliant, scalable, and aligned with business objectives across diverse EMEA markets, with expertise required in regulations and compensation & benefits frameworks.

• 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