Global Business Development Manager Chocolate, Confectionery and Bakery

at  AAK International

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™.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The primary purpose of this role is to lead and drive the global business development for AAK’s Chocolate and Confectionery (CCF) and Bakery division, focusing on medium to long-term growth across key regions: the Americas, Europe and AMEA. This role is instrumental in shaping and executing the global pricing strategy, fostering synergies between regions by understanding local and regional needs, and identifying new growth opportunities, including M&A prospects. The position emphasizes a strategic focus on a up to 5 year horizon, dedicating 70-80% of time to long-term planning while also managing relevant tactical activities (20-30%) necessary to support short-term objectives.
Key responsibilities include strengthening AAK’s position as an industry innovator through customer partnerships, launching new concepts, and participating in trade shows and conferences. The role also involves developing customer and consumer validation strategies to enhance speed and agility, aligning industry practices with regional strategies, supporting global brand reactivation efforts, and implementing agile working methodologies in collaboration with regions and functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As Global Business Development Manager your main tasks and responsibilities will be:

• Definition and implementation of global strategy for CCF and Bakery business for short, mid and long term.
• Secure the development, performance and profitability of a global commercially attractive portfolio, reflecting market and customer needs.
• Definition of strategy and execution of end-to-end innovation for CCF and Bakery business.
• Partnering with the regions on portfolio management.
• Driving of new product launches.
• Involvement in intellectual property strategy for CCF and Bakery business.
• Partnering on marketing and communications plan to ensure a strong position in the market as a high quality and innovative partner and support the growth of the business.
• Efficient use of consumer insights for global innovation roadmap and value propositions.
• Maintain an updated pipeline for M&A.
• Oversee that the technical activities taking place at the Center of Excellence for CCF & Bakery are fully aligned with the global strategies of the industry in scope, their Innovation strategies and their IP strategy.
• Setting clear targets with future team members (to be established)

To be successful in the role you need:

• A university degree in a field like Chemical engineering, Food engineering, Food Science with further specialization in business administration, strategy.
• More than 10 years’ experience in business development, business management, strategy work, product launches, opportunity pipeline management, etc, ideally in the Food Sector.
• Knowledge of and ability to use business models like stage gate, design thinking, structured problem solving, market sizing, market penetration strategies, marketing 4’Ps, market insights applicability, etc
• Knowledge of the CCF and or bakery industry, key players and markets will be considered as a positive addition, but candidates with strong proven record on food business management shall be considered.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to manage and work with a broad range of stakeholders from all levels of the organization
• Previous work experience managing direct reports.
• Fluent in English is a must. Any additionally languages are beneficial.
• Ability to travel extensively, up to 50%