Commercial Product Manager - CCF
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 can be based in Zaandijk or Rotterdam in the Netherlands, or any other AAK locations in Europe such as Hull, Antwerp, Aarhus, Malmo or Karlshamn.
About The Role
As the Commercial Product Manager for Chocolate and Confectionery Fats (CCF), you will be a key member of the European Product Management team, responsible for driving the development, performance, and profitability of a commercially competitive product portfolio. This role is both commercial and analytical, requiring a strong technical understanding of the products and the industry to ensure maximum profitability. You will take full ownership of the product portfolio, maintaining and optimizing its positioning, segmentation, and value propositions to align with market trends and customer needs. Your role will involve close collaboration with key stakeholders, including Sales and Customer Innovation (CI) as primary partners, as well as Marketing, Finance, and Operations. Together, you will develop and execute go-to-market strategies that drive business success. Balancing commercial responsibilities with technical expertise, you will analyze market data, identify opportunities, and support strategic decision-making. Engaging with customers and internal teams, you will ensure the portfolio remains competitive, profitable, and aligned with the company’s growth objectives. Given the nature of the role, occasional travel will be required.
Responsibilities
Develop and own the business strategy of the CCF industry in BA Europe ensuring alignment with market needs and company objectives.
Analyze market insights and trends to steer front-end loading activities, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.
Analyze, challenge and report the commercial performance of the CCF Industry
Monitor and guide product pricing and margin strategies, setting clear expectations to achieve profitability targets.
Manage and continuously develop the product portfolio, conducting annual reviews to optimize performance and market relevance.
Act as the gatekeeper for product lifecycle management, overseeing new product introductions and discontinuations.
Evaluate and refine value propositions, ensuring a strong understanding of key differentiators and competitive positioning.
Lead and coordinate successful product launches, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive market adoption.
Establish and maintain strong connections with key stakeholders across the business, including Sales, CI, Marketing, Finance, and Operations, to ensure alignment and seamless execution of product strategies.
About You
7–10 years of experience in the food industry, with a strong track record in commercial, technical, and analytical go-to-market functions within the B2B food sector.
A master’s degree in Food Science, Product Management, Marketing, Commercial Business, or a related field, with solid technical insights.
Strong commercial mindset with the ability to drive business strategy and profitability.
Solid analytical skills, with the ability to assess market trends, product performance, and financial implications of key business decisions.
International industry knowledge, including product lines, key players, market trends, competition, suppliers, and regulatory frameworks, is a plus.
A passion for Making Better Happen™, with a collaborative, agile, and accountable approach to driving business growth.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, both written and verbal, with fluency in English.
Willingness to travel at least 1–2 times per month for 2–3-day business trips.
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 Acquistion Specialist, Conor Kelly by email at 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.