Customer Innovation Manager Confectionery

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people all across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.

Location

Ideally, this position is based in Aarhus, Denmark but for the right candidate we are open to discuss working out of one of our offices in: Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, UK. Additionally we are open to discuss working fully remote.

About The Role

As a Customer Innovation Manager, you will work closely with Sales and Commercial Product Management to identify and grow new opportunities in the Chocolate and Confectionery market across Europe, with an initial focus on the CIS region, more specifically: Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Over time, additional countries may be added to your scope.

You will act as a key technical partner throughout the customer journey—from concept creation and solution development to implementation and market launch. This includes leading customer co-development projects, troubleshooting, and ensuring alignment with both local and global strategies.

You will also become part of the European Customer Innovation (CI) team, collaborating with colleagues across regions and contributing to our strong network of knowledge sharing. You will be collaborating with our pilot plants and fats & oils application labs.

This is a unique position that offers the combination of technical expertise and commercial customer interaction.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a robust Customer Innovation pipeline in the Chocolate and Confectionery category in the CIS region.
• Lead technical customer projects from ideation to implementation.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities in collaboration with Sales and Commercial Product Management, aligned with the regional strategy.
• Develop tailor-made product solutions in line with scientific, technical, and market trends.
• Provide expert technical advice, troubleshooting, and support to customers.
• Represent AAK at industry trade fairs, exhibitions, and conferences.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with existing customers and build new networks in target markets.
• Collaborate with other Customer Innovation experts across Europe as part of a cross-functional innovation team.
• Educate and teach colleagues and customers on Fats & Oils and Confectionery applications.
  
  
  

About You

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Engineering or a related field.
• At least 4 years of professional experience in the Fats & Oils and/or Confectionery sector.
• Good experience in chocolate and confectionery formulations and processes and strong technical background.
• Strong communication skills with proficiency in English and Russian . Speaking fluently Russian is a must have to be successful in the position.
• Prior experience in B2B environments is a plus.
• Open-minded, innovative, and customer-focused mindset.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work both independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel frequently (approx. 25–35%) across CIS and Europe.
  
  
  

In return AAK offers

• Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
• 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 AAK's sustainability-focused approach.
• Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.
  
  
  

Contacts and Applications

Please apply via our career portal.

For further information about the position, contact Luuck van Kooten, Talent Acquisition Manager via [email protected].

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.