Application Excellence Manager - Chocolate and Confectionary

AAK - Aarhuskarlshamn; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

AAK is seeking a Global Application Excellence Manager for Chocolate & Confectionery Fats based at our Aarhus site. Lead as a global technical authority, expanding application knowledge and translating engineering insights into customer value across regions.

You will design proofs, guide development programs, and support regional teams. This role requires strong leadership, English fluency, and willingness to travel internationally as part of global collaboration.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8–10+ years of relevant industry experience within chocolate, confectionery, specialty fats or related food applications.
• Recognised expertise in Chocolate & Confectionery Fats, including formulation, fat functionality, ingredient interactions and processing technologies across applications such as chocolate, compounds, fillings, spreads and caramel.
• Proven experience in application development, product development, scale-up, customer trials and commercialisation.
• Ability to translate customer needs, market trends and technical knowledge into differentiated application solutions and compelling customer value.

Responsibilities

• Act as a global subject matter expert in Chocolate & Confectionery applications, with deep knowledge of CCF formulation, fat functionality, processing technologies and ingredient interactions.
• Connect regional application experts, Customer Innovation teams and global technical functions to strengthen knowledge sharing and ensure expertise is effectively leveraged across AAK.
• Design, develop and validate compelling application proof points that demonstrate customer value and differentiate AAK’s solutions.
• Lead lower-complexity product development projects while supporting Scientists on more complex, medium- and long-term innovation programmes.
• Translate new products and technologies into customer demonstrations, application evidence, technical documentation and materials that support successful commercialisation.
• Support regional teams with complex application and processing challenges through troubleshooting, technical guidance, customer workshops, factory trials and evaluations.
• Strengthen the Confectionery Centre of Excellence by developing application methods, evaluation protocols, best practices, technical tools and knowledge resources.
• Deliver AAK Academy training and technical learning programmes while supporting the development of the CCF Customer Innovation Network and wider technical capabilities.
• Analyse customer innovation projects and market developments to identify recurring needs, application gaps, future proof points and opportunities for new product development.
• Represent AAK within the wider confectionery ecosystem through relationships with suppliers, equipment manufacturers and industry experts, while supporting technology scouting and competitive benchmarking.
• Contribute to intellectual property activities, including technical evidence, application validation and competitive differentiation where relevant.

Skills

Fluent English

Chocolate & Confectionery Fats

Product development

Scale-up

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MSc or PhD in Food Science/Engineering

Job description

Global Application Excellence Manager – Chocolate & 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 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 Location

This role will be based at our site in Aarhus.

About the role

We are looking for a Global Application Excellence Manager to join AAK’s Applied Innovation organisation and serve as one of our global technical authorities within Chocolate & Confectionery Fats (CCF). Combining deep expertise in confectionery formulation, fat functionality and processing with innovation and industry knowledge, you will help strengthen AAK’s position as The Co-Development Company.

In this role, you will expand and strengthen AAK’s application knowledge by developing and validating customer-relevant proof points, leading lower-complexity product development projects and supporting Scientists on medium- and long-term innovation programmes. You will translate technical expertise into practical customer solutions that demonstrate the value of AAK’s portfolio.

Working alongside our other Global Application Excellence Manager – Chocolate & Confectionery, you will connect regional application experts, Customer Innovation teams, global functions and external industry stakeholders. You will help ensure knowledge and expertise are shared across regions, while identifying customer needs and market opportunities that can be translated into differentiated solutions and future innovation.

As a global technical reference point, you will support regional teams through technical guidance, training, customer projects and troubleshooting. You will also contribute to the development of AAK’s Confectionery Centre of Excellence and Customer Innovation Network, helping build capabilities and consistent application expertise across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Act as a global subject matter expert in Chocolate & Confectionery applications, with deep knowledge of CCF formulation, fat functionality, processing technologies and ingredient interactions.
• Connect regional application experts, Customer Innovation teams and global technical functions to strengthen knowledge sharing and ensure expertise is effectively leveraged across AAK.
• Design, develop and validate compelling application proof points that demonstrate customer value and differentiate AAK’s solutions.
• Lead lower-complexity product development projects while supporting Scientists on more complex, medium- and long-term innovation programmes.
• Translate new products and technologies into customer demonstrations, application evidence, technical documentation and materials that support successful commercialisation.
• Support regional teams with complex application and processing challenges through troubleshooting, technical guidance, customer workshops, factory trials and evaluations.
• Strengthen the Confectionery Centre of Excellence by developing application methods, evaluation protocols, best practices, technical tools and knowledge resources.
• Deliver AAK Academy training and technical learning programmes while supporting the development of the CCF Customer Innovation Network and wider technical capabilities.
• Analyse customer innovation projects and market developments to identify recurring needs, application gaps, future proof points and opportunities for new product development.
• Represent AAK within the wider confectionery ecosystem through relationships with suppliers, equipment manufacturers and industry experts, while supporting technology scouting and competitive benchmarking.
• Contribute to intellectual property activities, including technical evidence, application validation and competitive differentiation where relevant.

About you

• MSc or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8–10+ years of relevant industry experience within chocolate, confectionery, specialty fats or related food applications.
• Recognised expertise in Chocolate & Confectionery Fats, including formulation, fat functionality, ingredient interactions and processing technologies across applications such as chocolate, compounds, fillings, spreads and caramel.
• Proven experience in application development, product development, scale-up, customer trials and commercialisation.
• Ability to translate customer needs, market trends and technical knowledge into differentiated application solutions and compelling customer value.
• Experience working across global, cross-functional organisations, connecting technical experts and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong troubleshooting, process optimisation and communication skills, with a passion for knowledge sharing, capability building and mentoring.
• Experience with innovation processes, technology scouting, competitive benchmarking or intellectual property activities is an advantage; fluent in English and willing to travel internationally.

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.

Contact and information

For further information about the position, please contact Emily Lumb, Talent Acquisition Specialist: [e-mail]

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialise 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 flexibility of our production assets and deep knowledge across multiple industries, including Chocolate and Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and more than 20 production facilities worldwide. Headquartered in Malmö, Sweden and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow.

Location

Aarhus