Senior Privacy Manager/Legal Counsel (m/f/d)

Brenntag SE

  • Essen
  • Post Date: 4. April 2025
Job Description

About Brenntag

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.

For more information, please visit www.brenntag.com


Our team in Essen currently has an opening for a Senior Privacy Manager/Legal Counsel (m/f/d)

The mission of the GDPO Team is to foster a strong culture of data protection compliance throughout Brenntag, while providing solution-oriented and pragmatic advice.
Our multi-disciplinary team especially
- designs and maintains a global program of measures ensuring on-going compliance with privacy laws and regulations globally,
- advises on data governance and data handling issues throughout the data lifecycle,
- provides guidance to the company on cyber risk and data incident response as it relates to personal data,
- advises on privacy risk management and governance in relation to the Brenntag's AI strategy and internal deployment.

YOUR ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

What you will do


Brenntag is seeking an experienced individual to form an essential part of the company's Group Data Protection Office and to support all aspects of the work of the company's Head of Group Privacy. It is a broad, fast-paced and exciting privacy and data governance role. The successful candidate will carry out tasks which draw on a wide skillset.

Key responsibilities:

  • Provide expert guidance on privacy and data protection issues, incl. related legal areas, to business units, and perform data protection reviews for projects and tools

  • Manage and negotiate multi-jurisdictional agreements regarding privacy aspects

  • Support, maintain and enhance Brenntag's global privacy program, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations globally

  • Ensure processing activities and/or data flows are identified, documented and related privacy risks have been mitigated

  • Develop and maintain policies, guidelines and documentation to ensure best practices in privacy and data governance

  • Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments and ensure timely implementation of risk mitigating measures

  • Ensure technology solutions align with privacy standards for personal data collection and use

  • Streamline and automate documentation requirements and processes, e.g., third party privacy due diligence

  • Work closely with a range of stakeholders on technology and data innovations to help ensure good data handling practices and privacy by design

  • Develop and deliver privacy trainings to raise awareness across the organization

  • Lead data incident investigations and manage data subject requests

  • Monitor global privacy laws and trends

  • Support the implementation of privacy initiatives and promote data governance best practices

YOUR PROFILE

Essential:

  • Fully qualified German lawyer or equivalent, with > 4 years of work experience in a law firm, or global corporate environment

  • Strong knowledge of data protection, privacy and data-related Regulations in Europe; affinity for technology-supported processes

  • Proven ability to offer pragmatic advice on data privacy, information security, and data handling

  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills with a practical business approach

  • Ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes in a business-friendly manner

  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven track record of building strong partnerships with business and technical colleagues

  • Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage complex projects independently

  • Strong interest in assessing digital products and services and quickly adopting new legal areas

  • Collaborative approach and the ability to work well in both small teams and on cross-departmental projects, hands-on mentality

  • Excellent verbal, written and visual communication skills, with attention to detail

  • Fluent in German and English; other European languages are a plus

Preferred:

  • Relevant data privacy qualification such as CIPP/E or CIPM

  • Experience with privacy tech tools (e.g., OneTrust)

  • Experience of working in a risk function or equivalent

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, including holiday pay and a Christmas bonus, awaits you

  • Take advantage of our company-sponsored pension scheme

  • Benefit from free employee parking and convenient transport connections

  • 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, running groups, and yoga courses, 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

INTERESTED?

We look forward receiving your application.


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.


Essential:

  • Fully qualified German lawyer or equivalent, with > 4 years of work experience in a law firm, or global corporate environment

  • Strong knowledge of data protection, privacy and data-related Regulations in Europe; affinity for technology-supported processes

  • Proven ability to offer pragmatic advice on data privacy, information security, and data handling

  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills with a practical business approach

  • Ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes in a business-friendly manner

  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven track record of building strong partnerships with business and technical colleagues

  • Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage complex projects independently

  • Strong interest in assessing digital products and services and quickly adopting new legal areas

  • Collaborative approach and the ability to work well in both small teams and on cross-departmental projects, hands-on mentality

  • Excellent verbal, written and visual communication skills, with attention to detail

  • Fluent in German and English; other European languages are a plus

Preferred:

  • Relevant data privacy qualification such as CIPP/E or CIPM

  • Experience with privacy tech tools (e.g., OneTrust)

  • Experience of working in a risk function or equivalent


  • 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 View More