What are the responsibilities and job description for the Customer Innovation Manager position at AAK?
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™.
AAK Louisville
Louisville, KY
About The Role
At AAK, innovation is about creating value. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Customer Innovation, the Customer Innovation Manager will lead a small but mighty team of scientists conducting applied research and product development in a variety of edible and non-edible fats and oils applications. This individual will mentor and guide the team and manage the day-to-day workflow and activities in the lab. The CI Manager will be responsible for following emerging trends, designing projects, and testing ideas through rigorous experimentation. This individual will interact directly with customers to gather insights, understand needs and provide technical service. The CI Manager shall maintain relations across both local and global functions to ensure alignment with AAK’s Go-to Market strategy.
Responsibilities
Accountable for:
Leading and guiding the Customer Innovation team.
Creating value and driving growth for AAK through innovation.
Responsible for:
Creating a strong, thriving innovation culture; lead, mentor and develop the team.
Managing and overseeing the lab including equipment maintenance and compliance with safety requirements.
Working directly with customers to troubleshoot and create opportunities gained from insights and needs.
Conducting pilot plant trials.
Seeking opportunities for IP wherever possible.
Acting as a subject matter expert, provide product application and technical support to internal and external customers.
Providing updates to senior leadership as needed.
Writing SOPs and product specifications.
Analyzing and interpreting data, writing summary reports and creating an action plan.
Managing the project pipeline for industry segments.
Maintaining up to date knowledge of fats and oils and other relevant technical fields such as nutrition.
Educating customers on the value of AAK products; organize seminars and presentations for customers.
Representing AAK at trade show
Building partnerships with customer R&D teams.
Requirements:
This position requires the employee to work on site.
Willingness to travel and perform laboratory work is essential.
About You
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food science, chemistry or the equivalent, with 5 years of relevant R&D experience in food or an allied industry. Prior experience with fats and oils applications and analysis is a plus.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A passion for science and experimentation.
A mindset for achieving business goals through innovation.
In return AAK offer
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. #ZR
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™.
AAK Louisville
Louisville, KY
About The Role
At AAK, innovation is about creating value. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Customer Innovation, the Customer Innovation Manager will lead a small but mighty team of scientists conducting applied research and product development in a variety of edible and non-edible fats and oils applications. This individual will mentor and guide the team and manage the day-to-day workflow and activities in the lab. The CI Manager will be responsible for following emerging trends, designing projects, and testing ideas through rigorous experimentation. This individual will interact directly with customers to gather insights, understand needs and provide technical service. The CI Manager shall maintain relations across both local and global functions to ensure alignment with AAK’s Go-to Market strategy.
Responsibilities
Accountable for:
Leading and guiding the Customer Innovation team.
Creating value and driving growth for AAK through innovation.
Responsible for:
Creating a strong, thriving innovation culture; lead, mentor and develop the team.
Managing and overseeing the lab including equipment maintenance and compliance with safety requirements.
Working directly with customers to troubleshoot and create opportunities gained from insights and needs.
Conducting pilot plant trials.
Seeking opportunities for IP wherever possible.
Acting as a subject matter expert, provide product application and technical support to internal and external customers.
Providing updates to senior leadership as needed.
Writing SOPs and product specifications.
Analyzing and interpreting data, writing summary reports and creating an action plan.
Managing the project pipeline for industry segments.
Maintaining up to date knowledge of fats and oils and other relevant technical fields such as nutrition.
Educating customers on the value of AAK products; organize seminars and presentations for customers.
Representing AAK at trade show
Building partnerships with customer R&D teams.
Requirements:
This position requires the employee to work on site.
Willingness to travel and perform laboratory work is essential.
About You
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food science, chemistry or the equivalent, with 5 years of relevant R&D experience in food or an allied industry. Prior experience with fats and oils applications and analysis is a plus.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A passion for science and experimentation.
A mindset for achieving business goals through innovation.
In return AAK offer
- Career paths, training and development, e-learning and tuition reimbursement programs offering potential for you to progress your future career
- Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision) starting date of hire
- Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000-$1,500
- 401(k) Plan with 100% match
- Free Life and Disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Supplemental Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Legal Insurance Plans
- Discounts on travel, amusement parks, concerts, movies, and more
- Celebrations, events, and activities on site and supporting our communities
- Amazon AwardCo recognition incentives for service and peer to peer recognition
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. #ZR
Salary : $1,000 - $1,500
