Global Portfolio Manager Bakery

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 any site at AAK locations in Aarhus, Zaandijk, or Antwerp.

About the role
We are looking for a Global Portfolio Manager, Bakery, to join AAK's Global Product Management team within the Chocolate and Confectionery (CCF) and Bakery division. This role is critical in shaping the medium- to long-term growth strategy for the bakery segment across key regions, including the Americas, Europe, and AMEA. The primary focus is to drive and ensure the development, performance, and profitability of a globally competitive and market-aligned bakery product portfolio that meets evolving customer needs. As the owner of the global bakery product portfolio guidelines, you will support the creation of optimized product offerings, ensuring a strong value proposition, clear market positioning, and profitable outcomes. Through collaboration with the Product Management network, you will align portfolios across regions and deliver a segmented approach that addresses specific market demands. In this cross-functional role, you will lead global bakery go-to-market activities, fostering cooperation between regions while serving as a key link between bakery and other industries. You will work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including regional Product Managers, Business Development, Insights & Marketing, Applied Innovation, and Sales, to deliver exceptional results.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic development and optimization of the global bakery product portfolio, ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and commercial objectives.
• Establish and manage global bakery product portfolio guidelines, defining clear value propositions, market positioning, and profitability expectations across regions.
• Oversee global bakery go-to-market initiatives, fostering collaboration across regions to ensure impactful results and alignment with business strategies.
• Build strong relationships and work seamlessly with key stakeholders, including regional Product Managers, Business Development, Insights & Marketing, Applied Innovation, and Sales, to achieve business goals.
• Support regional teams in developing and maintaining bakery product portfolios that meet local market demands while aligning with global strategies.
• Analyze portfolio performance to provide actionable insights, enhance profitability, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Act as the global connector between the bakery segment, leveraging synergies and driving innovation.
• Partner with regional teams to explore and develop new market opportunities, ensuring the bakery portfolio remains competitive and future-focused.
• Utilize market data and insights to inform decision-making, ensuring the portfolio reflects evolving industry trends and customer expectations.

About you

• A university degree in Business Administration or a related field, coupled with significant experience in the food industry and portfolio management. Alternatively, a degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or Food Science with further specialization in business administration, strategy, or portfolio management.
• 5 years of post-graduate experience in relevant roles within the food industry, such as product launches, portfolio management, strategy development, business development, or opportunity pipeline management.
• Strong knowledge of business models and the ability to develop and implement portfolio strategies, objectives, and tactics.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Extensive knowledge of the bakery industry is preferred, including key players and markets, which will be considered a significant advantage. Experience within the food industry is essential.
• Expertise in strategic decision-making, business acumen, portfolio management, project management, and driving business development within a matrix organization.
• Strong capabilities in managing change effectively, critical thinking, and delivering results in dynamic environments.
• A passion for continuous improvement, a collaborative approach to building trust and achieving shared goals, agility in embracing change and adapting quickly, and accountability through taking ownership and delivering on commitments.

In return AAK offers

• Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
• In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
• AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths.
• You will contribute to a greener world with AAK's sustainability-focused approach.
• Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.

Contact and information
For further information about the position, please contact the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Conor Kelly by phone at +31 (0) 6 11 85 1825 or by email; conor.kelly@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 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.

#LI-Onsite