Brenntag reviews

3.1

51% would recommend to a friend

(675 total reviews)
avatar

Christian Kohlpaintner

46% approve of CEO

38% positive business outlook

Brenntag has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 675 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Brenntag employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Einzel- & Großhandel industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

675 reviews
3.0
May 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Top chemical player in the world. Easy to do business with. Flexible work arrangement. No micro management

Cons

Progression is limited. Plenty of 'employee development', but no true benefits in terms of progression. Company went through too many changes and transformation. No clear business strategy

2.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible/hybrid work options depending on the team. Some strong colleagues and supportive direct managers.

Cons

-Leadership decisions lack clear rationale: Many strategic and operational decisions feel disconnected from on-the-ground realities. Initiatives are frequently rolled out without proper planning or follow-through, creating confusion and rework. -Top-down culture with limited transparency: Communication around major decisions is often vague or inconsistent, leaving employees unclear on priorities and direction. -Internal politics over performance: Advancement and influence can depend more on alignment with leadership than on results or impact. This slows execution and discourages initiative. -Inconsistent recognition and growth opportunities: Performance management can feel constrained, with limited differentiation for top performers. Career progression is unclear and often slow. -Cost-driven decisions at the expense of people: Many choices appear focused on short-term financial outcomes rather than long-term employee development or operational effectiveness. Lack of cohesive strategy: Teams operate in silos with shifting priorities, making it difficult to execute effectively or build momentum.

Viewing 4 - 6 of 675 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,059 Brenntag reviews submitted anonymously by Brenntag employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Brenntag is right for you.