At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global transformation and embed continuous improvement across our manufacturing network.
- Company: Join AAK, a leader in plant-based oils with over 150 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic, multicultural environment with a focus on collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and quality in the food industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Operational Excellence with strong leadership and coaching skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
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.
This position is based in one of our locations: Zaandijk (NL), Jundiaí (BR), Zhangjiagang (CN), Aarhus (DK), Karlshamn (SE), Louisville (US) OR Hull (GB).
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 global manufacturing network and value chain functions. Acting as the bridge between strategy and execution, you will help embed sustainable ways of working that deliver measurable business results and lasting capability growth.
Partnering with leaders and teams across Operations, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Commercial, R&D, and Go-to-Market functions, you will coach, challenge, and inspire the organization to strengthen problem-solving capabilities, improve performance, and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
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.
About you
- 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, Daily Management Systems (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, and 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.
Please apply through our career portal. For further information about the position, please contact Sr Talent Acquisition Specialist: Conor Kelly: conor.kelly@aak.com.
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.
Global OpEx Deployment Lead in Hull employer: AAK
AAK is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and sustainability, particularly in the Chocolate & Confectionery Fats segment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, AAK offers unique opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that drive both personal and professional advancement. Located in vibrant cities like Hull, Karlshamn, or Aarhus, employees benefit from a collaborative work environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages creative solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global OpEx Deployment Lead in Hull
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Global OpEx Deployment Lead at AAK!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like AAK or be willing to refer you for that Global OpEx Deployment Lead position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from AAK who’s on the lookout for their next Global OpEx Deployment Lead star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Global OpEx Deployment Lead role at AAK!
We think you need these skills to ace Global OpEx Deployment Lead in Hull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at AAK. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at AAK
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at AAK. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
