2026 Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

☑ Filed by the Registrant ☐ Filed by a party other than the Registrant CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK ALL BOXES THAT APPLY):

Table of Contents

March 5, 2026

9:00 a.m., Central time

9900 West 109th St Suite 100, Overland Park KS 66210

913.344.9200

NOTICE

of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS,

We cordially invite you to attend the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders of Compass Minerals International, Inc. We will be holding the annual meeting via live webcast.

WHEN

Thursday, March 5, 2026 9:00 a.m., Central time

VIRTUAL MEETING

https://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CMP2026

RECORD DATE

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 12, 2026, may vote at the meeting or any postponements or adjournments of the meeting

By Order of the Board of Directors,

James D. Hughes

General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

With internet access, our virtual meeting makes it easy for all stockholders, regardless of location, to participate. At the meeting, our stockholders will be asked to consider and act upon the following items of business:

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

1. Elect nine director nominees, each for a one-year term

2. Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers

3. Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026

4. Consider any other business that may properly come before the meeting and any postponement or adjournment of the meeting

We are providing access to our proxy materials over the internet, which reduces the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials as well as the environmental impact of our annual meeting.

January 23, 2026

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Please vote regardless of whether or not you plan to attend our annual meeting.

If you would like more information, please see the Questions and Answers section of this Proxy Statement.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 1

REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE IN ONE OF FIVE WAYS:

Please refer to the enclosed proxy materials or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or holder of record to see which voting methods are available to you.

BY MOBILE DEVICE

Scan the QR code

ONLINE DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING

Vote online during the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholder meeting.com/CMP2026

INTERNET

Visit, 24/7, https://www.proxyvote.com

BY TELEPHONE

Dial toll-free, 24/7, 1-800-690-6903

BY MAIL

Complete, date and sign your proxy card and send by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope

By submitting your proxy, you authorize James D. Hughes and Jared M. Campbell, both officers of Compass Minerals, to represent you and vote your shares at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. If you do not provide instructions, they will vote your shares consistent with the Board's recommendations. They also may vote your shares to adjourn the meeting and will be authorized to vote your shares at any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

2 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

‌YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible.

64

66

66

70

84

83

83

Additional Filings and Information

Proxy Solicitation

Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Our 2027 Annual Meeting

37

39

52

53

78

78

Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting

2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

37

Compensation

Proposal 2-Advisory Approval of Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis Compensation Committee Report Executive Compensation Tables

Fiscal 2025 Potential Payments Upon Change in Control and Other Events

CEO Pay Ratio

Pay Versus Performance

Equity Compensation Plan Information

75

77

75

Stock Ownership

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

71

71

73

73

Audit Matters

Proposal 3-Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors

Vote Required

Report of the Audit Committee

16

16

17

23

30

34

36

Governance

Proposal 1-Election of Directors Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

Board of Directors and Board Committees Corporate Governance

Fiscal 2025 Non-Employee Director Compensation

Corporate Responsibility

4

13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Proxy Statement Summary

About Compass Minerals

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 3

‌PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

We provide below highlights of certain information in this Proxy Statement. As it is only a summary, please refer to the complete Proxy Statement and fiscal-year 2025 Annual Report before you vote.

2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

WHEN

Thursday, March 5, 2026 9:00 a.m. Central time

VIRTUAL MEETING

www.virtualshareholdermeeting

.com/CMP2026

RECORD DATE

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 12, 2026,

may vote

VOTING

Stockholders of record are entitled to one vote

per share of common stock

In addition to these matters, stockholders may be asked to vote on such other business as may properly come before our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting").

Governance Overview // SEE PAGE 16

Our stockholders expect our board to:

• oversee management performance,

• ensure the long-term interests of stockholders are being served,

• monitor risks and compliance with our policies, and

• perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to our Board under our Bylaws, Corporate Governance Guidelines and the laws of the State of Delaware, our state of incorporation.

4 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Proxy Statement Summary

Governance Overview

To fulfill these responsibilities, our Board is committed to ensuring its members bring a diversity of skills, backgrounds, viewpoints and perspectives. We believe each of our directors have skills and qualifications that add to the overall effectiveness of our Board. The following table and charts introduce our director nominees. Additional information about each director's background and experience can be found in the "Election of Directors" section of this Proxy Statement.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 5

Proxy Statement Summary

Nominees to Our Board of Directors

Nominees to Our Board of Directors

Name and Principal

Occupation Age

Director

since Independent

Other Public Company Boards

Committee Memberships

Qualifications and Attributes Audit* Comp EHS&S NCG CAT

EDWARD C. DOWLING, JR.

President and CEO, Compass Minerals

70 2022 1

• Business Leader

• Industry Knowledge

• International Business

• Operations/EH&S

• Risk Management

• Sales and Marketing

• Strategy/M&A

• Sustainability/HCM

  RUSSELL BALL

  Senior Advisor, Forge Resources Corporation

  57 2025 1

  • Business Leader

  • Financial Expert

  • Industry Knowledge

  • International Business

• Risk Management

• Sales and Marketing

• Strategy/M&A

  RICHARD P. DEALY

  Vice President - Permian Basin, ExxonMobil

  GARETH T. JOYCE

  CEO, Wahoo Fitness

  59 2022 0

  52 2021 0

  • Business Leader

  • Financial Expert

  • Industry Knowledge

  • International Business

  • Operations/EH&S

  • Business Leader

  • International Business

  • Operations/EH&S

• Risk Management

• Sales and Marketing

• Strategy/M&A

• Risk Management

• Sales and Marketing

• Strategy/M&A

• Sustainability/HCM

  DENISE MERLE

  Senior Vice President, Chief Administration Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer, Weyerhaeuser Company

  MELISSA M. MILLER

  Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Arconic Corporation

  62 2025 1

  54 2022 1

  • Business Leader

  • Financial Expert

  • Industry Knowledge

  • Sustainability/ Human Capital Management

  • Business Leader

  • International Business

  • Risk Management

• Risk Management

• International Business

• Strategy/M&A

• Operations/EH&S

• Strategy/M&A

• Sustainability/HCM

  JOSEPH E. REECE

  Managing Member, SilverBox Capital, LLC

  64 2019 2

  • Business Leader

  • Financial Expert

  • Industry Knowledge

  • International Business

  • Risk Management

  • Sales and Marketing

  • Strategy/M&A

6 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Proxy Statement Summary

Director Nominee Snapshot

Name and Principal

Occupation Age

Director

since Independent

Other Public Company Boards

Committee Memberships

Qualifications and Attributes Audit* Comp EHS&S NCG CAT

MARK ROBERTS

Operating Advisor, White Mountain Partners, Inc.

62 2025 0

• Business Leader

• Industry Knowledge

• Operations/EH&S

• Sales & Marketing

• Risk Management

• International Business

• Strategy/M&A

  DAVID SAFRAN

  President and CEO, Innovative Surface Solutions LP

  54 2025 0

  • Business Leader

  • Industry Knowledge

  • Operations/EH&S

  • Sales & Marketing

• International Business

• Risk Management

• Strategy/M&A

Committee Chair Committee Member Non-Executive Chairman of the Board Audit Committee financial expert

* It is expected that Mr. Ball will assume the Chair position of the Audit Committee upon Ms. Walker's departure from the Board.

Director Nominee Snapshot

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 7

Proxy Statement Summary

Director Nominee Snapshot

Business/Functional Leader

Financial Expert

Industry Knowledge

International Business

Operations/Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)

Risk Management

Sales and Marketing

Strategy/M&A

Sustainability/Human Capital Management

8

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Skills, Experience, and Attributes

Corporate Governance Highlights

Proxy Statement Summary

Director Nominee Snapshot

Our Board of Directors places great value on strong governance controls and regularly evaluates and implements emerging best practices. Set forth below are key highlights of our corporate governance practices that are further discussed beginning on page 30 of this Proxy Statement.

Our Board annually reviews its size, composition and ability to function effectively with appropriate expertise and diversity of skills, backgrounds, viewpoints and perspectives. In order to ensure Board refreshment, our Board amended our Corporate Governance Guidelines in 2021 to adopt term limits for directors.

Our Board amended our bylaws in 2020 to provide stockholders a proxy access right for director elections.

Our Board is led by a Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, and all of the Board's committees are led by independent directors serving as chairs. Mr. Reece has been our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since May 2021.

During fiscal 2025, each current director attended at least 75% of all Board meetings and meetings of each Board committee on which he or she served.

Of our director nominees, seven are men, two are women, eight are White/Caucasian and one is African American.

The independent directors held executive sessions after each Board and committee meeting during fiscal 2025.

Our Board oversees our enterprise risk management process for all executive officers.

The EHS&S Committee of our Board works closely with management to provide oversight of environmental, health, safety and sustainability matters impacting us to promote a culture that prioritizes safety, environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Evaluations for our Board as a whole, each Board committee and each individual director are conducted annually.

All directors are in compliance with our Stock Ownership Guidelines, which require significant ownership of our common stock.

Our anti-hedging policy prohibits all directors, executive officers and employees from engaging in short sales of our securities; from buying, selling or investing in Company-based derivative securities; from entering into any hedging transactions with respect to our securities; or from engaging in comparable transactions.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 9

Proxy Statement Summary

Compensation Overview

Compensation Overview // SEE PAGE 37 Advisory Approval of Executive Compensation

We are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers ("NEOs"), commonly referred to as a "say-on-pay" vote. Our Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions expressed by our stockholders and will consider the results of this say-on-pay vote when evaluating our executive compensation program in the future.

The results of the annual stockholder say-on-pay vote help inform the Compensation Committee on the views of stockholders. The Compensation Committee considers the results of the say-on-pay vote and stockholder feedback when designing and making decisions regarding our executive compensation program. In the 2025 say-on-pay vote, we received 93% support from stockholders.

Fiscal 2025 Company Performance and Other Highlights

In fiscal 2025, we achieved the following financial results:

• Generated fiscal 2025 consolidated revenue of $1.244 billion.

• Adjusted EBITDA of $199 million(1).

• Reduced net debt by $125 million year-over-year.

• Generated free cash flow of $128 million(2).

1. Adjusted EBITDA = EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) modified by adding back one-time, non-recurring, or non-operational expenses. Compass utilizes Executive Transition, Legal, Other SG&A, and Other COGs to categorize these one-time expenses.

2. Free cash flow = Operating cash flow less investing cash flow as reflected on the Company's Statement of Cash Flows excluding all proceeds from acquisitions and divestitures.

Throughout fiscal 2025, we remained focused on strong execution within the core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses.

We are guided on this journey through our ongoing commitment to building a sustainable culture, meeting customer expectations and leveraging our advantaged assets to create long-term value for our stockholders.

10 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Culture

Proxy Statement Summary

Compensation Overview

Our continued focus on improving organizational health helps to ensure that our workforce is engaged, supported and equipped to fulfill the needs of our customers. We prioritize safe and healthy work practices, striving toward our Company's ultimate goal of zero harm, which includes zero injuries to employees and contractors as well as zero environmental incidents. We strive to always operate as responsible stewards of the environment.

At Compass Minerals, we believe that everyone has a voice and every voice matters. We hire, promote and retain people with different skills, backgrounds and experiences, which strengthens our culture and brings a wider range of perspectives to help solve critical issues. And we invest in the development of our employees by offering training and development opportunities. To promote inclusion, belonging and alignment with our culture, we support our employee resource groups, which are each accessible to all employees and offer opportunities for mentoring, development and engagement while also helping to drive business results.

Additionally, we engage as active participants in the communities where we live and work through collaboration, charitable support and employee volunteerism.

Value

We operate several unique, high-quality assets that are irreplaceable in their served markets and have tremendous intrinsic value. Compass Minerals continues to focus on strong execution within the core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses.

Leadership Changes

Mr. Cathey, who had been serving as Chief Financial Officer, resigned from that position on January 27, 2025. Mr. Cathey was not entitled to severance payments under our Executive Severance Plan. Mr. Cathey entered into an Independent Contractor Services Agreement, pursuant to which he assisted the Company for three months. Mr. Cathey's Independent Contractor Services Agreement terminated on April 25, 2025.

Effective January 28, 2025, the Company appointed Mr. Fjellman as its new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Merrin was appointed as Chief Operations Officer, effective on March 3, 2025

On March 25, 2025, Ms. Hood ceased to serve as Chief Supply Chain Officer. She was entitled to receive severance payments under the Executive Severance Plan.

Mr. Nichols was promoted from Chief Sales Officer to Chief Commercial Officer on March 25, 2025.

Effective June 26, 2025, Mary L. Frontczak ceased to serve as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary. She did not receive any severance payments under the Executive Severance Plan.

Also effective June 26, 2025, James D. Hughes assumed the role of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company on an interim basis and was promoted to Vice President, General Counsel effective November 1, 2025.

Ms. Tills was appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective on September 11, 2025

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 11

Proxy Statement Summary

Compensation Overview

Key Executive Compensation Highlights and Practices

Our executive compensation program is designed to promote stockholder interests by aligning our compensation with the realization of our business objectives and stockholder value. Set forth below are key highlights of our executive compensation program that are further discussed in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement.

Pg. Pg.

Appropriately aligns pay and performance, with a significant portion of executive compensation being at-risk

Performance based compensation constituted 53% of the total direct compensation of our CEO and 46% of total direct compensation for our other NEOs

42 Compensation programs designed to mitigate undue risk-taking and receive an 56

annual compensation risk assessment

42 Independent consultant assists the Board of Directors' Compensation 55

Committee on executive compensation matters

Long-term incentive program is weighted 50% performance-based awards. 46 Compensation benchmarked against relevant industry peer group 55

Annual incentive program motivates and rewards for achievement of near-term priorities, consistent with our annual operating plan

46 Rigorous stock ownership guidelines and retention requirements 32

Annual incentive program payout is capped at 200% of target 46 Prohibits repricing of underwater stock options 56

Say-on-pay vote result and disclosures 43 Robust clawback policies 56

Double-trigger change in control severance provisions 56 Anti-hedging and pledging policy 32

12 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

‌About Compass Minerals

Proxy Statement Summary

About Compass Minerals

Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature's challenges for customers and communities. Our salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications. Our plant nutrition products help improve the quality and yield of crops while supporting sustainable agriculture. Compass Minerals operates 12 production and packaging facilities with more than 1,800 employees throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Visit compassminerals.com for more information about our Company and products.

Corporate Responsibility

We approach our sustainability work through a fundamental commitment to four key pillars: safety, growth, transparency and stewardship. Together, these pillars form our sustainability compass, guiding our decisions and business practices across all aspects of our Company.

We have a clear vision of our Core Purpose, "THROUGH THE RESPONSIBLE TRANSFORMATION OF EARTH'S NATURAL RESOURCES, WE HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, FEED THE WORLD AND ENRICH LIVES EVERY DAY."

THE 4 PILLARS OF OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMPASS

• Safety: Striving toward zero harm, our highest priority is ensuring the health and safety of our employees and communities in which we operate.

• Growth: We work to enable sustainable, profitable growth by maximizing the value and efficiency of our production assets, investing in our people, driving innovation and exceeding customer expectations.

• Transparency: Firmly committed to a culture of trust, transparency and accountability, we seek open and honest communication with our stakeholders, while showing respect for diversity in all its forms.

• Stewardship: We honor our responsibility to serve as good stewards of the natural resources we rely on to produce, manufacture and market essential mineral products, minimize the impact we have on our environment, and recognize the markets we serve may be impacted by a changing climate.

As we build our Company, serve our customers, innovate and bring products to market, we always keep this compass in mind. Our Board as a whole reviews our sustainability reporting, targets and goals, as well as our progress toward achieving them, at least once each year.

Our 2024 ESG Report aligns with leading sustainability reporting frameworks, including Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board ("SASB") and Greenhouse Gas Protocol. We have also looked to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") and U.N. Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs") to help inform our reporting.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 13

Proxy Statement Summary

About Compass Minerals

OUR CORE PURPOSE

At Compass Minerals, our work is essential. Through the responsible transformation of Earth's natural resources, every day we help:

» keep people safe,

» feed the world, and

» enrich lives.

We embrace this responsibility with a passion for quality, consistency and reliability. What we do each day makes a real difference.

OUR CORE VALUES

Our Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Value Creation and High Performance help empower us to fulfill our mission. They guide our decisions and actions. By practicing these behaviors every day, we can all contribute to the success of Compass Minerals. Not only do our Core Values serve as daily guidelines, they help us:

» perform to our potential,

» deliver on our customers' expectations,

» sustainably manage our operations and

» partner better with one another.

We are each responsible for knowing, living and demonstrating our Core Values in everything we do.

INTEGRITY

We operate in a fair and transparent manner, embracing the highest ethical standards in everything we do.

RESPECT

We are committed to creating a diverse, safe and inclusive organization where all are treated with dignity.

COLLABORATION

We accomplish more through cooperation and teamwork.

VALUE CREATION

We deliver the best possible results for our customers and shareholders in a manner that respects the resources entrusted to us.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

We achieve excellence through initiative, accountability and superior results.

14 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Proxy Statement Summary

About Compass Minerals

Our proxy materials include this Proxy Statement, our Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report to Stockholders (the "Annual Report"), which consists of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, as well as the proxy card or a voting instruction form. The Annual Report and the information contained on our website do not constitute a part of the proxy solicitation materials and are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 15

‌GOVERNANCE

‌PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 2025 Board Refreshment

Our Board of Directors currently consists of 12 directors.

• The size of our Board was increased from eight to twelve directors in calendar 2025 with the appointments of Russell Ball, Denise Merle, Mark Roberts, and David Safran, all in December. Each of Mr. Ball, Ms. Merle, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Safran's nominations were recommended by a third-party search firm.

  Consistent with the term limits contained in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, Lori A. Walker will not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting. During her 10-year tenure on our Board, Ms. Walker served the Company and our stockholders faithfully, and the Board wishes to thank Ms. Walker for her service and contributions to Compass Minerals.

• Ms. Walker has served as the Chair of the Audit Committee since 2016 and the Company expects that Russell Ball will assume the Chair position upon Ms. Walker's departure from the Board.

• Shane T. Wagnon and Vance O. Holtzman are not seeking reelection and have delivered their resignation to the Board, effective March 5, 2026. Mr. Wagnon and Mr. Holtzman served the Company and our stockholders faithfully, and the Board wishes to thank Mr. Wagnon and Mr. Holtzman for their service and contributions to Compass Minerals.

• Joseph E. Reece has served as the Chairman of the Board since 2021 and will stand for reelection at the 2026 Annual Meeting, but is expected not to seek reelection at the 2027 Annual Meeting.

Current Nominees

Our Board of Directors recommends nine nominees-all incumbent directors-for election to the Board for one-year terms ending at our next annual meeting of stockholders, or until a successor is duly elected and qualified or a director's earlier death, resignation or removal. Effective as of the Annual Meeting date, the Board will be reduced to nine members. On the following pages, we summarize the nominees' respective professional backgrounds and the skills that made them desirable additions to our Board.

Each nominee, other than Mr. Ball, Ms. Merle, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Safran, was previously elected at a Compass Minerals annual meeting of stockholders. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve, if elected. If a nominee is unable to stand for election, our Board may either reduce the number of directors to be elected or select a substitute nominee. If a substitute nominee is selected for any nominee, the proxy holders will vote your shares for the substitute nominee.

Vote Required

Each director will be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting with respect to that director nominee. This means that each nominee will be elected if the number of votes cast FOR the nominee's election exceeds the votes cast AGAINST the nominee's election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of any nominee.

16 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

‌Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

Business/Functional Leader

International Business

Risk Management

Industry Knowledge

Operations/EH&S

Sales and Marketing

Strategy/M&A

Sustainability/Human Capital Management

MR. DOWLING'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 17

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

MR. BALL'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader

Risk Management

Industry Knowledge

Financial Expert

International Business

Strategy/M&A

Sales and Marketing

Age 59

Independent Director since

• 2022

  Committees

• Audit

• Compensation (Chair)

VP - PERMIAN BASIN, EXXONMOBIL

RICHARD P. DEALY

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

• Vice President - Permian Basin of ExxonMobil, an oil and gas corporation, since May 2024.

• Served as Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Natural Resources from January 2024 through May 2024, President and Chief Operating Officer from 2020 through 2023, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2004 through 2020, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from 1998 to 2004, and Vice President and Controller from 1997 to 1998.

• Joined Parker & Parsley, a predecessor of Pioneer Natural Resources, in 1992 and was promoted to Vice President and Controller in 1996.

• Mr. Dealy is a Certified Public Accountant and was employed by KPMG LLP before joining Parker & Parsley.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Dealy has:

1. extensive operating and managerial experience in complex businesses;

2. proven financial expertise and knowledge of financial costs and systems;

3. a strong background in strategy and mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; and

4. experience in setting and communicating sustainability strategy.

Mr. Dealy's operating and managerial acumen, financial experience, expertise in mergers and acquisitions and knowledge of sustainability strategy make him a valuable member of our Board.

MR. DEALY'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader

Industry Knowledge

Risk Management

Strategy/M&A

Financial Expert

Operations/EH&S

Sales and Marketing

International Business

18 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

Business/Functional Leader

Operations/EH&S

Sales and Marketing

Sustainability/Human Capital Management

International Business Risk Management Strategy/M&A

MR. JOYCE'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 19

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

MS. MERLE'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader Financial Expert Risk Management Strategy/M&A

Sustainability/Human Capital Management

International Business

Industry Knowledge

Operations/EH&S

MS. MILLER'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader International Business Strategy/M&A

Risk Management

Sustainability/Human Capital Management

20 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

Business/Functional Leader

Industry Knowledge

Risk Management

Strategy/M&A

Financial Expert

International Business

Sales and Marketing

MR. REECE'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 21

Governance

Fiscal 2026 Nominees for Director

MR. ROBERTS'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader

International Business

Strategy/M&A

Sales and Marketing

Industry Knowledge

Risk Management

Operations/EH&S

MR. SAFRAN'S QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

Business/Functional Leader

Operations/EH&S

Sales and Marketing

International Business

Industry Knowledge

Risk Management

Strategy/M&A

22 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

‌Board of Directors and Board Committees Role of the Board of Directors

Governance

Board of Directors and Board Committees

Our Board is elected by our stockholders to oversee our management, to help ensure we meet our responsibilities to our stockholders, and to build long-term growth in stockholder value. Beyond its general oversight of management, our Board performs a number of critical roles in:

• our strategic planning process;

• our enterprise risk management processes; and

• selecting the CEO.

Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at compassminerals.com.

Board Leadership

OUR BOARD IS LED BY A NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, WHO MUST BE AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR.

Mr. Reece has been serving as our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since May 18, 2021, and has been a member of our Board since March 6, 2019. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board's duties and responsibilities include:

• Acting as an adviser to the CEO;

• Establishing Board meeting agendas and the appropriate schedule of Board meetings, in consultation with the CEO, and considering agenda items suggested by independent and non-employee directors;

• Directing that specific information be included in Board materials delivered in advance of Board meetings and working with Board committees to assess the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from management to the Board;

• Presiding at all Board and stockholder meetings;

• Developing and establishing the agenda for, and presiding at, executive sessions of the Board's independent and non-employee directors;

• Acting as the principal liaison between the independent directors and the CEO;

• Working with the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee (the "Governance Committee") to recommend to the Board the membership of the Board committees and Board committee chairs;

• Leading the annual evaluation of the CEO (in conjunction with the Compensation Committee), the Board, the Board committees and individual directors;

• Calling meetings of the independent and non-employee directors;

• Being available to advise the committee chairs in fulfilling their designated roles and responsibilities; and

• Being the external spokesperson for the Board and available for communication with stockholders, upon reasonable request.

Age 64

Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

since May 18, 2021

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 23

Governance

Board of Directors and Board Committees

Our Board regularly considers whether our leadership structure is appropriate and has concluded that separating the Chairman and CEO roles is appropriate. In particular, this leadership structure clarifies the individual roles and responsibilities of the CEO and Chairman, streamlines decision making and enhances accountability. Mr. Reece has in-depth knowledge of the issues, challenges and opportunities facing Compass Minerals, expertise in capital markets and strategy, and proven leadership capabilities. As a result, our Board believes he has all of the qualities necessary to be an effective leader as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board believes the current structure appropriately allows full discussion of significant issues, supported by input from our management and non-employee directors.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a succession plan for our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. Specifically, in the event our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board is unable to serve in this capacity, the most tenured independent director would serve as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board until the Board members select a new Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

Director Independence

Our Board evaluates the independence of its members at least annually and at other appropriate times when a change in circumstances could potentially impact the independence of a director (for example, if a director changes employment). In making independence determinations, our Board applies the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). Under NYSE rules, directors are independent if they do not have a disqualifying relationship, as described in NYSE rules. Our Board affirmatively determines that each independent director has no material relationship with us, either directly or as an officer, stockholder or partner of an organization that has a relationship with us.

INDEPENDENT

67%

As a result of its independence evaluation, our Board determined that each of our current directors is an independent director, other than Mr. Dowling, our CEO, Mr. Safran, the CEO of Innovative Surface Solutions, a company that supplies salt-treatment materials to the Company, and Mr. Holtzman and Mr. Wagnon, who were designated for appointment by Koch Minerals & Trading LLC ("KM&T"), our largest stockholder.

Board and Committee Meetings, Executive Sessions and Attendance

Our Board is active and engaged. Board agendas are set in advance by the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board to ensure appropriate topics are covered and there is sufficient time for discussion. Directors receive comprehensive materials in advance of Board and Board committee meetings and are expected to review these materials in advance of meetings to ensure our meetings are focused on active discussions instead of lengthy presentations.

Our Board meets regularly throughout the year and held nine meetings in fiscal 2025. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board is required to hold at least four executive sessions per year with independent and non-employee directors, without the CEO or other Company employees present. The Non-Executive Chairman of the Board is responsible for coordinating, developing the agenda for, and presiding at these executive sessions. Our independent directors held executive sessions, without the CEO or other Company employees present, after each regularly scheduled meeting in fiscal 2025.

During fiscal 2025, each then-current director attended at least 75% of all Board meetings and meetings of each Board committee on which he or she served during the period he or she was on the Board or Board committee. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors are expected to attend each annual meeting of stockholders; all of our current directors who were serving at the time attended our March 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.

24 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Governance

Board of Directors and Board Committees

The membership of each standing Board committee as of the date of this Proxy Statement and the number of fiscal 2025 meetings of the Board and each standing Board committee are shown in the following table.

Committee Memberships

Lori Walker

Fiscal 2025 Meetings Board - 10 8 7 4 4 0(1)

Committee Chair

Committee Member

Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

Audit Committee Financial Expert

1. The Capital Allocation and Technical Committee was formed effective December 18, 2025.

   Board Committees

   Our Board has five standing committees:

   • the Audit Committee;

   • the Compensation Committee;

   • the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee;

   • the Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee; and

   • the Capital Allocation and Technical Committee.

     
     
     

     Each standing Board committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board, which is available on the Investor Relations section of our website at https://www.compassminerals.com.

     Each Board committee has the authority to retain advisors, at the Company's expense, to help the committee perform its functions. At each regularly scheduled Board and Board committee meeting, our independent directors held executive sessions, without the CEO or other Company employees present.

     COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 25

     Governance

     Board of Directors and Board Committees

     Following is a description of each standing Board committee.

     Members

     • Lori A. Walker (Chair)(1)

     • Russell Ball

     • Richard P. Dealy

     • Denise Merle

     • Joseph E. Reece

     MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2025: 8 EACH WITH AN EXECUTIVE SESSION

     AUDIT COMMITTEE

     
     
     

     ALL MEMBERS ARE INDEPENDENT PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

     The Audit Committee assists our Board with:

     • overseeing the integrity of our financial statements,

     • monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and financial controls, and

     • supervising the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditor.

     • The Audit Committee also oversees our compliance with:

       • legal and regulatory requirements,

       • our enterprise risk management process,

       • cybersecurity protocols, and

       • our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

     The Audit Committee's functions are further described under "Report of the Audit Committee" on page 73.

     QUALIFICATIONS

     • Our Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under NYSE and SEC rules and is financially literate, knowledgeable, and qualified to review financial statements.

     • Our Board also determined that each of Mr. Ball, Mr. Dealy, Ms. Merle, Mr. Reece and Ms. Walker is an "Audit Committee financial expert," as defined by SEC rules.

1. It is expected that Mr. Ball will assume the Chair position of the Audit Committee upon Ms. Walker's departure from the Board.

   Members

   • Richard P. Dealy (Chair)

   • Denise Merle

   • Melissa M. Miller

   • Joseph E. Reece

   MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2025: 7 EACH WITH AN EXECUTIVE SESSION

   COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

   
   
   

   ALL MEMBERS ARE INDEPENDENT PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

   The Compensation Committee:

   • reviews and approves (or makes recommendations to the Board regarding):

     • the compensation for our executive officers (including our CEO),

     • our incentive compensation and equity-based compensation plans that are subject to Board approval and administers all of our equity-based compensation plans,

   • and oversees:

     • the application of our compensation clawback policies,

     • our stock ownership guidelines,

     • risks related to our compensation policies and practices,

     • our talent management and human capital management strategies, including recruitment, development, promotion and retention, and

     • our policies and practices promoting diversity and inclusion.

The Compensation Committee's functions are further described under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."

The Compensation Committee Report is on page/52.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Our Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee meets the heightened independence requirements for Compensation Committee members under NYSE and SEC rules.

26 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement

Governance

Board of Directors and Board Committees

Members

• Melissa M. Miller (Chair)

• Denise Merle

• Gareth T. Joyce

• Joseph E. Reece

• Mark Roberts

MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2025: 4 EACH WITH AN EXECUTIVE SESSION

NOMINATING/CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

ALL MEMBERS ARE INDEPENDENT PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for:

• considering, assessing and making recommendations concerning director nominees,

• reviewing the size, structure and composition of our Board and Board committees,

• conducting the annual review of the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board,

• overseeing our corporate governance, and

• reviewing and approving any related party transactions

The Governance Committee's functions are further described under "-Director Selection Process and Qualifications" and "-Procedures for Nominations of Director Candidates by Stockholders."

QUALIFICATIONS

• Our Board has determined that each member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is independent under NYSE rules.

  Members

  • Gareth T. Joyce (Chair)

  • Edward C. Dowling, Jr.

  • Mark Roberts

  • David Safran

  • Lori A. Walker

  MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2025: 4 EACH WITH AN EXECUTIVE SESSION

  ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

  
  
  

  PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  The EHS&S Committee is responsible for:

  • monitoring environmental, health, safety and sustainability matters, including our objectives, policies, procedures and performance,

  • overseeing our risks and risk management,

  • overseeing our compliance with applicable laws, and

  • reviewing our sustainability efforts and reporting as well as our efforts to advance our progress on sustainability.

    The EHS&S Committee's functions are further described under "-Corporate Governance-Corporate Responsibility."

    Members

    • Gareth T. Joyce (Chair)

    • Russell Ball

    • Mark Roberts

    • David Safran

    MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2025: 0

    (NEWLY FORMED)(1)

    CAPITAL ALLOCATION AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

    
    
    

    PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

    The CAT Committee is responsible for:

  • oversight of the Company's operational, financial, and business plans and initiatives, and

  • oversight of the Company's capital allocation.

The CAT Committee's functions are further described under "-Corporate Governance-Corporate Responsibility."

(1) The Capital Allocation and Technical Committee was formed effective December 18, 2025 .

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. // 2026 Proxy Statement 27