Innovation & Application Manager – UK/IRL

Your Role: To drive technical growth, innovation, and business development opportunities, supporting Brenntag's Nutrition distribution business across the UK & Ireland. Manage the Innovation & Application Centre in Leeds which includes leading a team of 2-3 technical professionals. Support customers, suppliers, and commercial teams across the UK & Ireland through ingredient evaluation, application development, and technical expertise.

Develop strong relationships with strategic suppliers and actively contribute to the EMEA Application & Innovation Network. Ensures the Leeds I&AC operates as a centre of technical excellence, delivering high-quality support to both local and regional business opportunities.

Responsibilities Manages a pipeline of technical projects supporting the growth of Brenntag’s Nutrition distribution business across the UK & Ireland and selected regional initiatives within EMEA. Evaluates ingredients from strategic suppliers through analytical assessments, functional testing, and application development activities across a broad portfolio of ingredient categories.

Supports commercial teams with customer projects, technical recommendations, presentations, troubleshooting, and customer visits. Leads and develops a high-performing team of 2-3 technical professionals, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. Maintains a hands-on approach by actively participating in laboratory activities, ingredient evaluations, application trials, and customer projects alongside the team.

Oversees the operations of the Leeds Innovation & Application Centre, ensuring efficient resource utilization, high safety standards, and regulatory compliance. Plans, executes, documents, and reports technical and application activities using company systems and procedures. Builds strong technical partnerships with strategic suppliers, supporting ingredient evaluations, joint development activities, and innovation initiatives.

Collaborates closely with Product Managers and Commercial teams to identify technical opportunities and support business growth. Manages the annual CAPEX budget for the Leeds Innovation & Application Centre, identifying and implementing investments that support safety standard, continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and technical capabilities.

Actively participates in the EMEA Application & Innovation Network, sharing best practices and contributing to cross-regional projects and initiatives. 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.

For more information, please visit www.brenntag.com