Laboratory Supervisor, Bakery Applications

Laboratory Supervisor, Bakery Applications

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 all 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

AAK is seeking to appoint a Laboratory Supervisor - Bakery Applications to manage the Bakery Applications Laboratories in our Customer Innovation Center for Bakery in Antwerp, Belgium.

This role – in collaboration with our Applications Technologist - will have the responsibility to support the delivery of the innovation pipeline for the UK and Europe, plan and deliver trainings for our customers and colleagues, develop prototypes and be responsible for sample preparations for customer visits, trade and fair shows.

Responsibilities

• Plans, designs, and conducts food applications projects according to established scientific methods, principles and theories to solve problems and improve or generate new products and solutions in close collaboration with Customer Innovation Managers.
• Activities include setting-up laboratory test equipment; developing prototypes; calculating and analysing test results and preparing detailed reports with recommendations and conclusions.
• Assures that the Bakery Application Laboratories are well organized and maintained.
• Supports the execution of the innovation pipeline to meet business objectives and drives short to medium-term market driven innovation.
• Partners with UK and European Customer Innovation Managers, Research Scientists, Sales and Product Management teams to support the innovation agenda and pipeline.
• Prioritizes and allocates resources, ensuring timely project execution and delivery.
• Develops a continuous dialogue with Global Innovation teams in the context of implementing global products into the regional strategy through Customer Innovation Networks.
• Plans, hosts and executes customer/partner visits and technical trainings for customers and colleagues, driving best practice and consistency of execution.
• Develops and maintains technical expertise on advances and innovations in bakery applications.

About you

To be successful in this role you have a university degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry or similar. You have a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in lab management roles. A scientific or technical background with extensive knowledge in bakery applications is required, ideally coupled with experience in oils and fats chemistry and applications.

We would also like you to have experience working with virtual and/or matrix teams and ability to effectively communicate and collaborate in this environment. Commercially astute with experience in either B2B or B2C environments.

You are an excellent communicator, eloquent and succinct to interact professionally with a diverse group of stakeholders both internal and external. You have strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills combined with being comfortable with managing risks, complexity and uncertainty. You are comfortable working in an international business environment and are willing to travel (approximately 10%), primarily in Europe and have extensive experience in working with and managing project portfolios.

As a professional you are customer oriented, business focused and have a strong sense of urgency. You are open for a challenge and willing to drive continuous improvements. Fluency in English is prerequisite. Proficiency in Dutch and other European languages is a strong advantage, as well as holding a valid driving licence (B).

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.

Contacts and Information
For further information about the position, please reach out to HR by e-mail: hr-info.nl@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 a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & 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 with 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 on the basis of 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 in employment and application for employment.