Carmen

Questions Using Present Perfect Tense

The questions below are designed to help you practice using the present perfect tense to describe experiences, accomplishments, and ongoing situations relevant to your role and Brenntag’s objectives.

Describing achievements and completed actions: What sustainable product alternatives have you successfully introduced to your clients, and how has this contributed to their carbon footprint reduction efforts? This question allows you to highlight specific accomplishments related to Brenntag’s sustainability goals1. According to the “Non-Financial Group Report,” Brenntag aims to expand its sustainable product portfolio to offer more alternatives1.

Focusing on continuous actions and ongoing impact: How have you integrated Brenntag’s core values—care, trust, clarity, excellence, and safety—into your sales strategy, and what impact has this had on client relationships and overall team performance? This prompts a discussion of how values are implemented and sustained2…. Brenntag emphasizes embedding these values in day-to-day business, starting from the recruitment process3….

Highlighting experiences and lessons learned: What key regulatory changes have you encountered in the food and nutrition sector, and how has your understanding of these changes helped you in navigating client needs and ensuring compliance? This question connects your experience to the practical application of regulatory knowledge. Your CV indicates prior experience with quality management systems and regulatory requirements5….

Exploring the impact of training and development: What training programs have you participated in at Brenntag, and how has this enhanced your skills in sales, quality management, or sustainability practices? This question seeks to understand how Brenntag supports employee development7. Brenntag offers various learning programs, such as “Connecting Potential,” “Leading with Impact,” and “Women at Brenntag,” aimed at different target groups8….

Discussing challenges and solutions: What challenges have you faced in balancing sales targets with ethical considerations, and what strategies have you developed to ensure ethical standards are maintained while achieving business goals? This explores your approach to ethical problem-solving within a sales context. Brenntag’s “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” emphasizes ethical conduct, compliance, and social responsibility10.

Illustrating adaptation and innovation: How have you adapted to the increasing demands for transparency and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting from clients, and what innovative approaches have you employed to meet these demands? This question asks about adapting to current market trends. Brenntag faces increasing requirements for transparency and comprehensive ESG reporting11. The company uses tools like CO2Xplorer to calculate the carbon footprint of products, enhancing transparency1.

Additional Grammar Practice with Combined Tenses

Here are more complex questions that mix present perfect with other tenses, offering more nuanced grammar practice:

Since you joined Brenntag, what new strategies have you implemented to expand your client base, and how do these strategies align with the company’s focus on sustainable growth? This question combines the past simple (joined) with the present perfect (have you implemented) to explore changes over time. Brenntag aims to continue its successful growth by combining excellent customer services, industry-leading performance, and product quality10.

Before the company launched its carbon management program, what steps had you already taken to reduce emissions in your area of responsibility, and how has the program changed your approach to sustainability? Here, past perfect (had you already taken) contrasts with the present perfect (has…changed) and past simple (launched) to discuss actions taken before and after a specific event12. Brenntag introduced an internal carbon management program in 2022, placing an internal price on Scope 1 and 2 emissions12.

As Brenntag has increasingly focused on circular economy models, what new partnerships have you formed with recycling companies, and how do these partnerships contribute to your sales targets and the company’s sustainability goals? This mixes the present perfect (has focused, have you formed) with the present simple (do…contribute) to explore ongoing initiatives. Brenntag aims to establish ten circular businesses by the end of 2025, each generating more than EUR 1 million a year13.

By answering these questions, you will not only practice using the present perfect tense but also deepen your understanding of your role, Brenntag’s values, and its strategic objectives.

Questions Focused on Job Responsibilities and Company Values

These questions aim to practice using conditional sentences, reported speech, and modal verbs:

Hypothetical scenarios and conditional clauses: If you were to encounter a situation where a client requested a product that didn’t fully meet Brenntag’s sustainability standards, how would you balance meeting the client’s needs with upholding the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility? This question uses a conditional clause (“If you were to encounter…”) to explore how you would navigate a common ethical challenge. Brenntag’s Non-Financial Group Report 2023 emphasizes the company’s dedication to sustainable solutions and its role in driving the transition to sustainability in the markets it serves1…. Balancing client needs with sustainability goals is key to Brenntag’s vision2.

Reported speech: Brenntag’s CEO, Dr. Christian Kohlpaintner, stated that the company is committed to conducting business with the highest degree of ethics3…. How do you ensure that your daily sales activities reflect this commitment, and can you provide a specific example of a time when you had to make an ethical decision in your role? This question references the CEO’s statement to highlight the importance of ethics in Brenntag’s operations. The “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” underscores the need for ethical conduct, compliance with laws, fair competition, and avoiding conflicts of interest5.

Modal verbs for obligation and advice: Considering Brenntag must adhere to various competition and antitrust laws, what steps should you take to ensure you are always compliant, and what kind of advice would you give to a new colleague to avoid potential violations? The query asks about compliance with legal standards. Brenntag’s “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” highlights the importance of adhering to competition and antitrust laws, requiring employees to avoid any conduct that could be perceived as unlawful5….

Complex sentence structures: Although you have a strong background in quality management systems such as HACCP and ISO 22000:2005, how do you apply this expertise in your current sales role to ensure that the products you are selling meet the required quality and safety standards for Brenntag’s clients? This question prompts you to connect your prior experience with current responsibilities, which will allow you to showcase relevant expertise7. Your CV shows that you have experience in implementing GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000:2005 systems7.

Relative clauses: What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that you are measured against, and how do you ensure you are making progress towards these goals while also upholding Brenntag’s values of care, trust, clarity, excellence, and safety? This question explores how performance measurement aligns with company values. Brenntag’s Non-Financial Group Report 2023 emphasizes these core values, which guide all business activities and relationships8.

Questions Focused on Daily Routine and Challenges

These questions focus on using the passive voice, perfect tenses, and vocabulary related to business and ethics.

Passive voice: How are potential conflicts of interest identified and managed in your daily interactions, and what procedures are followed to ensure transparency and impartiality in your sales practices? This focuses on how potential conflicts of interest are handled. Brenntag’s “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” requires employees to avoid conflicts of interest and to disclose any situations that might present such a conflict9.

Perfect tenses: Before joining Brenntag, you had already gained extensive experience in the food industry. How has this prior experience influenced your approach to building and maintaining client relationships at Brenntag, and what lessons have you learned that have been particularly valuable? The perfect tense emphasizes the lasting impact of past experiences. Your CV indicates that you possess extensive experience in the food industry, including roles in sales, quality assurance, and management10.

Vocabulary related to business ethics: In what ways do you demonstrate integrity and transparency in your communications with clients, and how do you handle situations where there is a potential conflict between meeting sales targets and maintaining ethical standards? This query gets to the core of ethical behavior in business dealings. Brenntag’s commitment to ethics is underscored by its “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”, which emphasizes integrity, transparency, and social responsibility5.

Use of ‘would’ for habitual actions in the past: What steps would you typically take when facing a complex technical question from a client about a product’s application, and how would you ensure you provided accurate and helpful information? Here the aim is to describe typical past actions. Brenntag emphasizes the importance of providing excellent customer service, which includes technical support and accurate information3.

Questions with phrasal verbs: How do you keep up with the latest industry trends and regulations, and can you describe a time when you had to adapt your sales strategy due to a change in regulatory requirements? This question probes your ability to stay current with industry changes. Brenntag emphasizes compliance with laws and regulations, so it’s important to understand how you keep abreast of relevant changes5.

Past perfect and past simple contrast: After you had identified a new potential client, what steps did you take to develop a sales strategy that aligned with Brenntag’s overall business objectives and sustainability goals? This uses contrasting past tenses to describe a sequence of actions. Brenntag is dedicated to integrating sustainability into its business practices and supply chain2….

How do you structure your day to balance new client acquisition with maintaining and managing her existing client portfolio1…? Given that Brenntag aims to expand its market and maintain strong customer relationships, understanding how you allocate your time and resources between these two critical functions is essential.

Could you describe your process for identifying and addressing client needs, particularly in relation to developing new applications or validating existing ones2? This is relevant because Brenntag emphasizes excellent customer service, and your ability to provide support in developments, validations, and post-sales activities is key to strengthening customer relationships.

What types of technical support do you regularly provide to clients, and how do you stay updated on the latest technical information related to Brenntag’s products2? With Brenntag’s focus on innovation, it’s important to know how you ensure that clients receive adequate technical support and how you keep your technical knowledge current.

How do you incorporate sustainability considerations into your sales process, aligning with Brenntag’s goal of promoting sustainable chemical distribution3…? Given Brenntag’s commitment to offering sustainable alternatives, it would be valuable to understand how you identify and promote these options to your clients.

Could you outline how you ensure your daily activities align with Brenntag’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, specifically in areas such as fair competition, anti-corruption, and avoiding conflicts of interest5…? Brenntag places a high value on ethical conduct, so understanding how you maintain compliance in your daily routine is crucial.

What tools and technologies do you use to manage your sales activities, track customer interactions, and report on her progress8? Knowing the tools you uses can highlight how effectively she leverages technology to enhance your productivity and contribute to Brenntag’s overall efficiency.

How do you stay informed about changes in regulations and industry standards that may impact your sales strategies or your clients’ operations9…? Brenntag emphasizes compliance with laws and regulations5, so it’s important to understand how you keep abreast of relevant changes.

Can Carmen describe her approach to handling customer complaints or quality issues, ensuring they are resolved efficiently and in accordance with Brenntag’s quality standards2? Since Carmen has experience in quality assurance1, understanding her approach to resolving complaints and maintaining quality standards is valuable.

How does Carmen collaborate with other departments within Brenntag, such as marketing, technical support, or logistics, to provide comprehensive solutions to her clients11? Brenntag promotes the integration of sustainability topics in other areas of the Group and in the regions11. Knowing how Carmen coordinates with these departments can highlight how Brenntag achieves a unified approach to customer service and sustainability.

10.

How does Carmen prioritize her tasks and manage her time to meet sales targets and contribute to Brenntag’s overall business objectives12? Since Carmen’s resume emphasizes her ability to work towards objectives12, understanding her prioritization and time management techniques is important.

In addition to Carmen Espinoza’s CV, several sections of the “brenntagnfb2023en.pdf” report are especially relevant to understanding the key concepts related to these questions:

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Sustainability at Brenntag: This section describes Brenntag’s commitment to sustainable solutions and its role in driving the transition to sustainability in the markets it serves13. It emphasizes the importance of offering sustainable product alternatives3.

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Governance: Management structures for business ethics: This part details how Brenntag ensures compliance with laws, rules and guidelines, and promotes responsible corporate governance10.

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Social: Fair and safe employer: This discusses Brenntag’s dedication to occupational health and safety, and providing a safe and inspiring environment for employees14….

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Responsible Partner: Supply chain and human rights: This outlines Brenntag’s commitment to upholding human rights within its supply chains and ensuring fair working relationships16.

Given Carmen’s experience in the food industry, how might her prior roles inform her approach to sales and customer relations at Brenntag? Carmen Espinoza has experience in sales of raw materials and chemical products for the food industry1…. She also has experience in quality assurance and management1. Specifically, she has experience as a Food & Nutrition Sales Representative at BRENNTAG CHILE since November 20221. She was also a KAM, or Key Account Manager, and Commercial Executive at DISTRIBUIDORA PORTLAND S.A. from December 2011 to October 2022, where she commercialized raw materials including additives, ingredients, commodities and industrial chemicals for the food industry2. Understanding how her previous experiences shape her current strategies at Brenntag would be valuable1….

How does Carmen’s experience with implementing quality management systems like GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000:2005 relate to Brenntag’s commitment to compliance and safety? Carmen’s resume indicates that she has experience implementing GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) systems3…. She also has experience implementing ISO 22000:2005, a food safety management system, and ISO 9001:2008, a quality management system3…. Brenntag expects its employees to comply with the law and internal guidelines and policies6…. The company also maintains a comprehensive compliance management system designed to promote and reinforce compliant behavior8. It would be useful to know how Carmen’s background in quality management systems informs her approach to compliance and safety at Brenntag3….

In what specific ways does Carmen’s role at Brenntag involve promoting sustainability, considering Brenntag’s focus on sustainable chemical distribution? Brenntag has a sustainability vision called “Future Sustainable Brenntag” and an ESG strategy based on reducing their carbon footprint and increasing their positive contribution9…. Brenntag aims to be a leader in sustainable practices within the chemical industry11…. They are working towards using sustainability criteria to steer their product portfolio and to market more sustainable products13. It is important to understand how Carmen’s daily tasks contribute to Brenntag’s broader sustainability goals, especially given her role in sales and customer relations1….

Given Brenntag’s emphasis on ethical conduct and compliance, how does Carmen ensure her sales practices align with the company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, particularly regarding competition, anti-corruption, and conflicts of interest? Brenntag’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics emphasizes compliance with laws, fair competition, anti-bribery, and avoiding conflicts of interest6…. Brenntag employees should not engage in any communication with competitors regarding prices, allocation of customers, sales terms, or bids16. They are also prohibited from offering improper benefits to public officials or employees of other companies17. Conflicts of interest must be avoided, and decisions regarding contracts should be based on objective criteria15…. Asking Carmen how she navigates these ethical considerations in her sales role would provide insight into the practical application of Brenntag’s ethical standards1….

To enhance your understanding of the documents, here is a summary of each one:

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CV Carmen Espinoza (2024).pdf: This document is Carmen Espinoza’s resume, outlining her professional experience, education, and skills. Her experience includes roles in sales, quality management, and consulting within the food industry. She has experience with implementing quality management systems and selling raw materials and ingredients1….

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brenntagcodeofconducten.pdf: This is Brenntag’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. It outlines the company’s principles for ethical and responsible behavior, covering topics such as compliance with laws, competition, anti-corruption, data protection, human rights, and safety6…. The document emphasizes the importance of integrity and transparency in all business operations7.

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brenntagemployeestructure2023en.pdf: This document provides statistics on Brenntag’s employee structure as of December 31, 2023. It includes data on employees by region, gender, area of work, type of employment, type of contract, and management level19…. The report also covers voluntary and involuntary turnover rates, new employees, age groups, and average length of service24….

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brenntagnfb2023en.pdf: This is Brenntag’s Non-Financial Group Report for 2023. It details the company’s sustainability activities and performance. The report covers various aspects, including the business model, sustainability strategy, focus areas, targets, stakeholder engagement, governance, social responsibility, environmental protection, and compliance with the EU Taxonomy28…. The report also includes indices for GRI, TCFD, and SASB reporting standards29.

Brenntag FAQ

What is Brenntag’s core business model?
Brenntag is the global market leader in chemical and ingredient distribution. It acts as a crucial intermediary, connecting suppliers and customers within the chemical industry. The company also focuses on identifying sustainability needs within the industries it serves and collaborating with suppliers to develop sustainable products and services while minimizing its environmental impact.
What is Brenntag doing to ensure ethical conduct in its business operations?
Brenntag has implemented several measures to ensure business ethics, such as a comprehensive Code of Conduct that addresses legal compliance, competition, anti-corruption, data protection, human rights, and environmental protection. It also employs a Three Lines Model for governance, including operational management, compliance/risk management, and an independent internal audit function. The company is building a tax compliance management system and conducts internal audits to identify and mitigate corruption risks.
How is Brenntag incorporating sustainability into its overall strategy?
Sustainability is a core part of Brenntag’s corporate strategy. Brenntag is committed to sustainable solutions. In 2022, Brenntag committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to have its climate goals validated. The company has also developed a “Future Sustainable Brenntag” vision and an ESG strategy that focuses on reducing its carbon footprint and increasing its positive contribution through environmentally friendly products and solutions. Sustainability criteria also influence financial decisions, with interest rates on credit facilities linked to ESG targets.
What are Brenntag’s key focus areas for its ESG strategy?
Brenntag’s ESG strategy has six key focus areas: management structures for business ethics, portfolio and investment steering, fair and safe employer practices, being a responsible partner for suppliers and communities, climate protection and emissions reduction, and resource efficiency and circular economy.
What specific targets has Brenntag set to reduce its environmental impact?
Brenntag has set both medium- and long-term targets. The company aims to use sustainability criteria to steer 100% of its relevant product portfolio from the end of 2025. Brenntag also aims to establish ten circular businesses by the end of 2025, each generating more than EUR 1 million a year. Additionally, it has a goal of sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2025 and aims to reduce the rate of process spillages by at least 25% by 2030. A Scope 3 emissions reduction target is to be developed in 2024.
How does Brenntag ensure fair labor practices and employee well-being?
Brenntag prioritizes being a fair and safe employer. The company is focused on increasing occupational safety, as well as increasing the percentage of women at different levels of management.
What are Brenntag’s efforts related to the EU Taxonomy?
Brenntag has been obliged to disclose information on the implementation of the EU Taxonomy since financial year 2021. A small portion of the company’s turnover is attributable to certain chemicals which it recycles, which is regarded as the “treatment of hazardous waste” in the context of the regulation.
How does Brenntag handle confidential information?
Brenntag has strict confidentiality obligations, both internal, legal, and contractual. Employees are prohibited from disclosing confidential information about Brenntag, its suppliers, customers, or business partners to any third party or from using such information for personal benefit unless specific conditions are met, such as a valid confidentiality agreement, prior written approval, or legal requirement.

Business & Industry-Specific Questions

Industry Knowledge & Trends
- What are some current trends in the food industry that affect your business?
- How do sustainability and ESG principles impact food companies today?
- What challenges do food businesses face when expanding into new markets?
Client & Sales Interactions
- How do you usually prepare for a client meeting?
- What are some common objections from clients, and how do you handle them?
- Can you describe a successful sales negotiation you had?
Business Operations & Strategy
- How does your company ensure product quality and consistency?
- What strategies do you use to increase sales in your market?
- How do you handle supply chain disruptions in the food industry?
Meetings & Presentations
- What are the key elements of an effective business presentation?
- How do you handle difficult questions in meetings?
- What strategies do you use to keep a client engaged during a presentation?
Communication & Language Use
- How do you adjust your communication style when speaking with international clients?
- What phrases or expressions do you use when negotiating a deal?
- How do you politely disagree with a client’s request while maintaining a good relationship?
Personal & Professional Growth
- What skills do you want to improve in your professional role?
- How do you stay updated with industry trends and business strategies?
- What advice would you give to someone starting a career in the food business?