Team Leader Food Applications – 12-month contract
AAK Hull is in the heart of an area enjoying significant redevelopment and investment. The Port of Hull is being established as a world-class center for renewable energy and manufacturing, and at AAK we feel proud to be part of this important industrial renaissance for Yorkshire. 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 Center.
Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.
About The Role
AAK is seeking to appoint a Team Leader Food Applications to cover a 12-month contract to lead the Food Applications team in our Customer Innovation Center in Hull, England and reporting directly to the Head of Applied Innovation Europe. The position will combine leadership responsibilities and hands-on work to apply knowledge of fats and oils chemistry in food applications.
This role, with a team of around 5, will have the responsibility for a Food Applications laboratory and fats and oils Pilot Plant. The successful candidate will 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
1. 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.
2. Activities include developing prototypes, calculating and analyzing test results and preparing detailed reports with recommendations and conclusions.
3. Assures that the Food Applications laboratory and fats and oils Pilot Plant are well organized and maintained.
4. Manages the Food Applications team, prioritizes and allocates resources, ensuring timely project execution and delivery.
5. Supports the execution of the innovation pipeline to meet business objectives and drives short to medium-term market driven innovation.
6. Partners with UK and European Customer Innovation Managers, Research Scientists, Sales and Product Management teams to support the innovation agenda and pipeline.
7. Plans, hosts and executes customer/partner visits and technical trainings for customers and colleagues, driving best practice and consistency of execution.
About You
1. At least 2 years of experience in and knowledge of Food Applications (Bakery, Plant Based, Dairy, Savory) ideally coupled with experience in oils and fats chemistry and applications.
2. University degree in Food Science and Technology or professional training in culinary applications.
3. Experience in team management roles and people development.
4. Experience working with virtual and/or matrix teams and ability to effectively communicate and collaborate in this environment.
5. Experience in managing project pipelines.
6. Commercially astute with experience in either B2B or B2C environments.
7. Excellent communicator, eloquent and succinct to interact professionally with a diverse group of stakeholders both internal and external.
8. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
9. Comfortable at managing risk, complexity and uncertainty.
10. Comfortable working in an international business environment, willing to travel (approximately 10%), primarily in UK and Europe.
11. Customer oriented and Business focused.
12. Strong sense of urgency.
13. Drives improvements and open for a challenge.
14. Proficiency in other European languages is an advantage.
15. Valid driving license (B).
In return AAK offers
1. 10% non-contribution pension.
2. Performance-based bonus scheme.
3. Comprehensive UK healthcare scheme.
4. 25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays. Group life cover.
5. Income protection scheme for financial security.
6. Ride2Work scheme for a cost-effective, eco-friendly commute.
7. Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
8. In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
9. AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths.
10. You will contribute to a greener world with AAK's sustainability-focused approach.
11. 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 email; conor.kelly@aak.com #J-18808-Ljbffr