Global Business Development Manager CCF

AAK; Denmark; On-site; DKK 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International exposure

Development & mentorship

Career paths

Sustainability focus

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

AAK is seeking a Global Business Development Manager for Chocolate & Confectionery Fats (CCF) to drive worldwide growth through new opportunities, partnerships, and strategic initiatives. You will work with regional teams and global functions to shape a structured pipeline and translate market intelligence into commercial actions.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and strong commercial judgment across a complex matrix organization.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Food Science, Engineering, or a related discipline; an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is considered an advantage.
• More than 10 years of experience in business development, commercial strategy, key account management, or a similar commercial leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global business development strategy for the CCF segment, aligning with regional and global priorities.
• Identify, evaluate, and convert new opportunities across markets, segments, and partnerships.
• Build and manage a structured global opportunity pipeline with disciplined evaluation.
• Partner with regional teams to translate global strategies into local execution.
• Drive commercialization of new products by collaborating with R&D, Product Management, Marketing, and regional teams.
• Strengthen market position through strategic customer relationships and co-development initiatives.
• Lead or support M&A scouting, partnership evaluations, and market assessments within CCF and adjacent markets.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive activity to identify risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Sourcing, Finance, and Product Management to optimize pricing and profitability.

Skills

Business development

Commercial strategy

Key account management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Fluent English

Education

University degree in Business Administration or related field

MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification

Job description

Global Business Development Manager - CCF

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 position is based on site in Hull, Karlshamn or Aarhus.

About The Role

The Global Business Development Manager – CCF is responsible for driving the global business development agenda for AAK's Chocolate & Confectionery Fats (CCF) segment by identifying, developing, and converting new growth opportunities across strategic markets. Working closely with regional commercial teams and global functions, the role combines a long-term strategic perspective with hands-on commercial execution to expand AAK's CCF footprint through new customer acquisition, market entry initiatives, adjacent applications, and strategic partnerships. By building and managing a structured pipeline of business opportunities and translating market intelligence into actionable commercial strategies, the role plays a key part in delivering the segment's long-term growth ambitions. While the position does not hold direct P&L responsibility, it has a significant impact on revenue growth, margin improvement, and AAK's long-term competitive position through strategic business development, market expansion, and customer engagement. Operating within a specialized and regulatory-sensitive market, the role requires strong commercial judgment, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of customer needs, market dynamics, and industry trends. Success depends on the ability to influence across a global matrix organization, build strong cross-functional partnerships, and align regional execution with global business priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global business development strategy for the CCF segment, ensuring alignment with industry priorities, regional commercial plans, and long-term growth ambitions.
• Identify, evaluate, and convert new business opportunities across customer segments, geographic markets, adjacent applications, and strategic partnerships.
• Build, manage, and continuously develop a structured global opportunity pipeline, using disciplined evaluation and stage-gate methodologies to prioritize and accelerate growth initiatives.
• Partner with regional commercial teams to translate global strategies into actionable business development plans and successful local execution.
• Drive the commercialization of new products and innovations by collaborating closely with R&D, Product - Management, Marketing, and regional commercial teams.
• Strengthen AAK's market position by building strategic customer relationships, leading customer co-development initiatives, and representing AAK at key industry events, conferences, and trade associations.
• Lead or support strategic M&A scouting, partnership evaluations, and market assessments within the CCF segment and adjacent specialty fats markets.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, regulatory developments, and competitive activity to identify emerging opportunities and potential business risks.
• Collaborate with Sourcing & Trading, Finance, and Product Management to support pricing strategies, optimize profitability, and strengthen the commercial value proposition.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across global and regional teams to ensure alignment, accelerate business growth, and deliver the CCF strategic agenda.

About You

• University degree in Business Administration, Food Science, Engineering, or a related discipline; an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is considered an advantage.
• More than 10 years of experience in business development, commercial strategy, key account management, or a similar commercial leadership role, preferably within specialty fats, confectionery ingredients, food ingredients, or the broader B2B food industry.
• Strong understanding of the global CCF market, including customer needs, market dynamics, competitive landscape, and regulatory frameworks; experience within the CCF industry is a significant advantage.
• Proven experience leading international business development initiatives and working effectively across regions within a complex matrix organization.
• Demonstrated success identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities into sustainable and profitable growth.
• Strong commercial and analytical mindset, with the ability to assess market opportunities, develop robust business cases, and understand financial drivers, pricing strategies, and margin optimization.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly collaborative and self-driven, with the ability to work independently while aligning multiple functions and regions behind a common strategic objective.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; additional languages are considered an advantage.
• Demonstrates AAK behaviors: Accountable, Agile, Passionate and Cooperative.

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.

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. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and 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 based on 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 employment and application for employment.