Sanja Magdeburg

Vice President Supply Chain EMEA Brenntag Specialties

Brenntag

This week, we’re proud to feature Sanja Magdeburg, Vice President of Supply Chain EMEA for Brenntag Specialties. With a career spanning commercial leadership, supply chain transformation, and industry advocacy, Sanja’s journey highlights the power of self-awareness, curiosity, and courage in taking ownership of complex challenges.

Career Journey: Sanja began her career at Helm AG, a family-owned chemical distributor, where she spent over a decade in commercial roles, including managing the European business of ethylene glycol, before transitioning into supply chain leadership. Today, she leads Brenntag’s specialty-focused supply chain team, driving innovation, efficiency, and collaboration across a global network.

Defining Moments and Lessons Learned: Pivotal moments in her early career helped shape her leadership style, teaching her to approach challenges strategically, present well-rounded solutions to leadership, and build the confidence to voice her perspective in complex situations.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Sanja has long been a champion for diversity in the chemical industry, helping to establish employee resource groups (ERGs). She believes these communities are essential for creating mentorship opportunities, sparking inspiration, and offering a sense of belonging for women and underrepresented groups in the industry.
Advice for Women in Chemicals: Sanja encourages women to embrace curiosity, take ownership of projects that spark passion, and surround themselves with people who provide constructive feedback and encouragement. She stresses the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, approaching networking with authenticity, and remembering to celebrate small successes along the way. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: find your passion, follow it fearlessly, and use it to create meaningful change in your career and your organization.

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