Sales Manager – UK&I
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, United Kingdom.
At AAK Hull, we operate the UK’s largest refinery for edible oils and fats at our King George Dock site and supply ingredients and finished products to businesses in the food manufacturing, baking, foodservice, and retail sectors. We enjoy working closely with customers to co-develop bespoke products in our well-equipped Customer Innovation Centre.
About the role
We are looking for an ambitious and commercially driven Sales Manager to join our UK & Ireland team, focusing on the Dairy and Savoury sectors with retail and food ingredients. This is a customer-facing commercial role where you will manage and grow a portfolio of key accounts across the UK & Ireland, while identifying and converting new business opportunities.
Alongside customer development, you will coordinate and execute AAK’s UK Retailer Engagement Strategy, building stronger relationships with retailers and identifying future growth opportunities. You will work closely with customers, innovation, marketing, supply chain and technical colleagues to deliver value-added ingredient solutions that address customer challenges and support profitable growth. This role reports into the UK&I Dairy & Savoury Sales Lead.
Responsibilities
- Manage and grow strategic customer accounts within the UK & Ireland Dairy and Savoury sectors.
- Develop and execute customer business plans to deliver volume, value, margin and market share growth.
- Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities through a structured commercial pipeline.
- Lead commercial negotiations, pricing discussions, contracts and annual account planning.
- Deliver accurate sales forecasting and pipeline management through CRM systems.
- Coordinate and drive the UK Retailer Engagement Strategy, strengthening retailer relationships and market visibility.
- Identify emerging consumer, retailer and industry trends and translate them into commercial opportunities.
- Collaborate with innovation, technical, marketing and supply chain teams to develop customer-focused solutions.
- Represent AAK at customer events, innovation days, exhibitions and industry trade shows.
About you
We are looking for an experienced food ingredient sales professional with a strong commercial focus and a proven ability to develop strategic customer relationships and deliver profitable growth.
- Minimum 5 years’ B2B sales experience within food ingredients, food manufacturing or a related sector.
- Proven track record of delivering profitable sales growth and developing strategic customer relationships.
- Experience selling value-added ingredient solutions into food manufacturers.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills, including pricing, contracts, margin management and strategic account planning.
- Proven success in both growing existing business and winning new customers.
- Experience managing sales pipelines, forecasts and CRM systems.
- Ability to engage effectively with commercial, procurement, technical, innovation, and R&D stakeholders
- Strong presentation, influencing and communication skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
In return AAK offers
- 10% non-contribution pension.
- Annual Bonus scheme.
- UK Healthcare scheme.
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays.
- Group life cover.
- Group income protection scheme.
- Ride2Work scheme.
Contact and information
For further information about the position, please contact Emily Lumb, Talent Acquisition Specialist by email: Emily.lumb@aak.com
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 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 employment and application for employment. #LI-Onsite
Sales Manager – UK&I in Hull employer: AAK
AAK Hull Refinery is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety, innovation, and employee development within a collaborative work culture. Located in the vibrant UK, we offer our Process Engineers not only competitive benefits but also ample opportunities for professional growth through hands-on projects and mentorship from experienced engineers. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in the heart of the refining industry.
