Innovation Portfolio Lead

AAK - Aarhuskarlshamn; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 605,000 - 806,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and mentorship

Clear career paths

Global exposure

Sustainability focus

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

AAK – Aarhuskarlshamn is seeking an Innovation Project & Portfolio Manager to bring structure, transparency, and execution discipline to its global innovation portfolio. You will lead select projects, improve Stage-Gate governance, and enable decision-ready updates for senior leadership.

Based within Applied Innovation, you will collaborate with R&D, Operations, Marketing, and senior stakeholders across regions, driving alignment and data quality in a matrix organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Food Technology, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in project management, innovation, PMO, product development, or programme management.
• Strong understanding of innovation processes and frameworks (Stage-Gate, NPD, PLM, portfolio management).

Responsibilities

• Lead selected innovation projects from concept through implementation with clear scope, timelines, and governance.
• Drive disciplined execution according to the Stage-Gate process across the portfolio.
• Own and improve the Innovation Stage-Gate framework, templates, tools, and ways of working.
• Plan and facilitate Gate review meetings with decision-ready materials and actions.
• Maintain complete project documentation and an accurate global portfolio view.
• Translate portfolio data into clear updates for senior leadership and ExCom.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Facilitation

Analytical thinking

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Food Technology

Tools

Stage-Gate

NPD

PLM

Job description

AAK – Aarhuskarlshamn is seeking an Innovation Project & Portfolio Manager to bring structure, transparency, and execution discipline to its global innovation portfolio. You will lead select projects, improve Stage-Gate governance, and enable decision-ready updates for senior leadership.

Based within Applied Innovation, you will collaborate with R&D, Operations, Marketing, and senior stakeholders across regions, driving alignment and data quality in a matrix organization.