Operational Exellence Manager

Om jobbet

Operational Excellence Manager

Our story goes back more than150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early successin Sweden and Denmark, we've grown into the world's leading specialist producerof 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 oilswe produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunchinto your croissant. And it's not just food - we work across industries to makeproducts that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Everything we do is aboutMaking Better Happen™.

AAK LOCATION

This position is based in Karlshamn

About the role

We are seeking an OperationalExcellence Manager who is passionate about continuous improvement and motivatedto help build a culture where innovation and efficiency go hand in hand. Inthis key role, you will be the driving force behind our global OperationalExcellence program at the site level. You will translate strategy into actionby leading initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery performance, andcost efficiency. By fostering engagement and strengthening capabilities acrossour teams, you will help create a solid foundation for sustainable, long-termsuccess. This position reports to the Site Director and works in closecollaboration with the Regional Director, Operational Excellence.

Responsibilities

• Implement the global and regional Operational Excellence (OpEx) roadmap at site level, ensuring full alignment with AAK standards, strategic priorities, and performance expectations.
• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, delivery performance, and cost efficiency.
• Partner with site leadership to translate strategic objectives into actionable improvement plans supported by clear KPIs and follow-up routines.
• Build engagement and capability by training, coaching, and mentoring operators, team leaders, and engineers in lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Coordinate and support site improvement projects using structured problem-solving approaches, including root cause analysis, action tracking, and performance measurement.
• Promote and sustain visual management systems, daily performance dialogues, and standardized work processes to drive transparency and accountability.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering) to identify improvement opportunities and eliminate operational losses.
• Conduct site-level maturity assessments and prepare regular progress updates for the Regional Director, Operational Excellence.
• Share best practices and lessons learned with peers and the regional OpEx network to strengthen alignment and accelerate organizational learning.
• Champion a culture of ownership, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement across the entire site.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or continuous improvement roles.
• Proven experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify root causes and drive corrective actions.
• Excellent facilitation and coaching skills, capable of engaging teams at all organizational levels.
• Practical experience implementing continuous improvement systems in a factory or production setting.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with a hands-on, collaborative mindset.
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodology is an advantage.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in the local language is required.

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.

Contactand information

Forfurther information about the position, please contact Conor Kelly, SeniorTalent Acquisition Specialist, by email: conor.kelly@aak.com

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about MakingBetter Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-addingingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make theseproducts better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK'soffer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand whatbetter means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our productionassets, and deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolateand confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition,Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our closecollaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicatedCustomer Innovation Centers, and the support of more than 20 productionfacilities. 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 orfederal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of studentsin its programs and activities, or employment and application for employment.

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