Global OpEx Deployment Lead

AAK; Zaandijk; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

AAK is seeking a Global Operational Excellence Deployment Lead to enhance its manufacturing network in Zaandijk (NL). This role focuses on implementing AAK's Operational Excellence vision, requiring significant experience in leading global transformations.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and over 10 years in Operational Excellence, strong leadership skills, and fluency in English. AAK offers a diverse and inclusive culture while driving industry-leading performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Operational Excellence or related fields.
• Proven track record in leading multi-site transformations.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of AAK’s Operational Excellence roadmap.
• Develop maturity-based deployment roadmaps.
• Provide coaching and capability building to leaders.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Lean

Six Sigma

Cross-functional Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree

Job description

AAK is a global specialist in plant‑based oils, employing more than 4,000 people worldwide.

We are seeking a Global Operational Excellence Deployment Lead to drive transformation across our manufacturing network.

Location

This position is based at one of our locations: Zaandijk (NL), Jundiaí (BR), Zhangjiagang (CN), Aarhus (DK), Karlshamn (SE), Louisville (US) or Hull (GB).

About the Role

Are you passionate about driving transformation and building a culture of continuous improvement? As Global Operational Excellence Deployment Lead, you will play a key role in bringing AAK’s Operational Excellence vision to life across our manufacturing network and value‑chain functions. Acting as the bridge between strategy and execution, you’ll embed sustainable ways of working that deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead the deployment and embedding of AAK’s global Operational Excellence roadmap across assigned production sites and value‑chain functions, ensuring consistent adoption of OWOW and OWOZ frameworks, standards, and ways of working.
• Develop and execute maturity‑based deployment roadmaps aligned with site readiness and business priorities, conducting capability assessments, identifying gaps, and co‑creating improvement plans with site and functional leaders.
• Provide coaching, facilitation, and capability building to leaders across Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, R&D, and Go‑to‑Market functions, strengthening leadership effectiveness, problem‑solving capabilities, and end‑to‑end performance.
• Act as the key link between global strategy and local execution, driving governance routines, performance management, cross‑functional alignment, and the sustainable implementation of Operational Excellence methodologies while proactively addressing deployment risks and capability gaps.
• Partner with Global OpEx Specialists and stakeholders to deploy new standards, methodologies, and tools, while capturing and sharing best practices and field insights to continuously improve AAK’s global OpEx framework and transformation journey.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related field; Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 10+ years of experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, manufacturing, or supply‑chain operations, including multi‑site deployment and transformation experience in complex operational environments.
• Proven track record of leading cross‑functional Operational Excellence transformations, with strong expertise in Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, DMS, structured problem‑solving, and preferably TRACC or comparable OpEx frameworks.
• Exceptional coaching, facilitation, stakeholder‑management, and influencing skills, with the ability to develop leaders at all levels, drive alignment across matrix organizations, and achieve sustainable adoption without formal authority.
• Analytical, execution‑focused, hands‑on, with experience designing deployment roadmaps, conducting maturity assessments, translating insights into measurable actions, and working effectively with both frontline teams and senior leaders in global, multicultural environments.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are an advantage.

If you are interested, please apply through our career portal.

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.