Senior Manager Global Performance, Incentives & Recognition (m/f/d)

Our Global Total Rewards function is evolving into a modern Center of Excellence (CoE) — and we're looking for a Senior Manager Global Performance, Incentives & Recognition to own the global strategy, design, and governance of performance management, variable compensation, merit, and recognition programs worldwide.

This is a strategic, high-visibility role — not an operational or administrative one. You'll be one of three senior pillars in our Global Total Rewards CoE, working alongside peers leading Executive Compensation & Governance and Job Architecture, Global Mobility & Pay Governance, and partnering closely with the CHRO, HR Leadership Team, Regional Total Rewards, and business leaders across the globe.

If you love building the frameworks that make pay-for-performance real — not just a slogan — and want to shape how a global organization rewards and recognizes its people, this is the role for you.

Your Role 

Lead the global strategy, design, and governance of performance management, incentive compensation, merit review, and recognition programs, ensuring alignment with business priorities and a consistent employee experience worldwide.

Drive the annual performance, bonus, and merit cycles, including program design, governance, stakeholder engagement, manager enablement, and continuous process improvement.

Own the global Rewards & Recognition framework and develop impactful programs that strengthen a high-performance culture and recognize employee contributions across the organization.

Serve as the global business process owner for Workday Compensation and Performance, overseeing system optimization, reporting, analytics, testing, and data quality.

Act as a trusted advisor to senior HR and business leaders, providing data-driven insights, market intelligence, and leadership for key Total Rewards transformation initiatives.

Your Profile 

10+ years of progressive experience in Global Total Rewards, ideally within a multinational and matrixed organization.

Proven expertise in performance management, incentive compensation, merit governance, and/or recognition program design.

Experience leading global or cross-regional projects from concept through implementation.

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and geographies.

Hands-on experience with Workday Compensation and Performance modules.

Strong analytical capabilities, including reporting, financial modelling, and data-driven decision-making.

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

WorldatWork CCP or GRP certification is 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