Customer Innovation Manager Dairy+, Savoury+, Plant-Based Foods & Foodservice

Customer Innovation Manager Dairy SavouryPlant-Based Foods & Foodservice (UK & Ireland)

Our story goes back more than 150 years to the chillysouthern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmarkweve grown into the worlds leading specialist producer of plant-based oilsemploying more than 4000 people across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you loveeven better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy orputting the crunch into your croissant. And its not just food we work acrossindustries to make products that are higher quality healthier and better forthe planet.
Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.

AAK LOCATION
This position is based at our site on King George DockHull.

We would require you to be on-site at least 1 day per week and travel across the UK and Ireland would be required.

About the role
We are looking for a Customer Innovation Manager to drivecustomer co-development technical support and innovation project executionacross Dairy Savoury Plant-Based Foods and Foodservice applications in theUK & Ireland.

This role combines strong customer-facing technicalexpertise with commercial understanding translating customer and market needsinto scalable solutions and business opportunities. Working closely with SalesCommercial Product Management Marketing and regional application teams youwill play a key role in strengthening AAKs position as a trusted innovationand performance partner.

As a technical expert and customer collaborator you willlead innovation projects from concept through to commercialisation supportcustomers with technical challenges and help develop value-adding solutionsthat deliver commercial success for both AAK and our customers.

Responsibilities
Customer & Innovation Partnership
- Lead customer co-development projects from concept to commercialization across Dairy Savoury Plant-Based Foods and Foodservice applications.
- Build strong technical relationships with customers distributors and strategic partners.
- Translate customer challenges and market opportunities into commercially viable and technically robust solutions.
- Support customer trials industrial validations shelf-life studies and troubleshooting activities.
- Position AAK as a strategic innovation and performance partner rather than solely a supplier of fats and oils.

Technical & Application Expertise
- Provide technical expertise in fats and oils functionality emulsions texture process tolerance and application performance.
- Support product development and customer innovation projects across; dairy and dairy alternatives savoury and culinary applications plant-based Meat and plant-based Dairy convenience foods and frying & cooking solutions
- Apply strong knowledge of ingredient functionality and industrial food processing to solve customer challenges and optimize product performance.

Commercial & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Sales Commercial Product Management Marketing and regional application teams to accelerate opportunity conversion and customer growth.
- Contribute to pipeline development project prioritisation and strategic account planning.
- Ensure effective communication and alignment across functions business units and regions.
- Support customer presentations technical workshops and value proposition development activities.

About you
- You hold a degree in Food Science Food Technology or a related discipline.
- You have strong experience in customer-facing food application technical service or product development roles.
- You have experience working within Dairy Savoury Plant-Based Foods and/or Foodservice categories.
- You possess a strong understanding of industrial food processing and ingredient functionality.
- You have a commercial mindset and can translate technical concepts into compelling customer value propositions.
- You are an excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- You are comfortable managing multiple projects and customer priorities within an international business environment.
- You are proactive collaborative and passionate about innovation and customer partnership.

In return AAK offers
- In AAK you can work across 25 countries gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
- AAK invests in your development with training mentorship and clear career paths.
- You will contribute to a greener world with AAKs sustainability-focused approach.
-Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individuals perspective and talents.

Contact and information
For further information about the position please contactEmily Lumb Talent Acquisition Specialist:

About AAK
Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in manyof the products people love to consume. We make these products better tastinghealthier and more sustainable. At the heart of AAKs offer is CustomerCo-Development combining our desire to understand what better means for eachcustomer with the unique flexibility of our production assets and deepknowledge of many products and industries including Chocolate andconfectionery Bakery Dairy Plant-based Foods Special Nutrition Foodserviceand Personal Care. Our 4000 employees support our close collaboration withcustomers through 25 regional sales offices 15 dedicated Customer InnovationCenters and the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed onNasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö Sweden AAK has beenMaking Better Happen for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination based on race color sexsexual orientation age national origin physical or mental disabilityreligion veteran status and any other class of individuals protected fromdiscrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access toadmission to or treatment of individuals in its programs and activities oremployment and application for employment.
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Required Experience:

Manager