Customer Innovation Manager Chocolate and Confectionery / Food Application Scientist

Customer Innovation Manager Chocolate and Confectionery / Food Application Scientist

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 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 Hull, UK but for the right candidate we are open to discuss working out of: Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. About the Role As a Customer Innovation Manager Chocolate and Confectionery / Food Application Scientist, you will work closely with Sales and Commercial Product Management to identify and grow new opportunities in the Chocolate and Confectionery market in Europe, with an initial focus on UK and Ireland. 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 strategy. You will also become part of the European Customer Innovation (CI) team, collaborating with colleagues across regions and contributing to our strong network of pilot plants and application labs. This is a unique position that offers the combination of technical expertise and commercial customer interactions.

Responsibilities -Build and manage a robust Customer Innovation pipeline in the Chocolate and Confectionery category within Europe. -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. - Translate customer needs into suitable production processes and process specifications. - 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. About You - A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field. - At least 3–5 years of professional experience in the Chocolate and/or Confectionery sector, where you have worked with vegetable fats and oils application. - Strong hands-on application experience in chocolate and confectionery formulations and processes. - Strong communication skills with proficiency in English. - 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 UK and Europe. 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 deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. With more than 4,000 employees, 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and 20+ production facilities worldwide, AAK is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and headquartered in Malmö, Sweden.