Head of Applied Innovation

About this job

We are looking for a Head of Applied Innovation to lead and shape AAK's global Applied Innovation function, driving the development of differentiated, science-based solutions that support our long-term growth ambitions. Reporting to the President Commercial Development & Innovation, this strategic leadership role is responsible for defining and delivering AAK's global innovation pipeline across key industry segments, ensuring innovation activities are aligned with customer needs, market opportunities, and business strategy. Leading a global team across our Centres of Excellence and innovation hubs, you will oversee the full innovation lifecycle—from ideation and product development through to commercialization—while strengthening innovation governance, application excellence, intellectual property, and portfolio management. Working closely with senior leaders across Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Customer Innovation, and R&D, you will play a pivotal role in delivering market-leading solutions and positioning AAK as a trusted innovation partner worldwide. ​Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management - Define and execute AAK's global innovation strategy across key industry segments, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market opportunities. - Lead the end-to-end innovation process, from ideation and product development through pilot, scale-up, and commercialization. - Manage and prioritise the global innovation portfolio, ensuring transparency, strategic alignment, and effective resource allocation. - Drive continuous improvement of AAK's StageGate innovation process to strengthen governance, decision-making, and execution. - Deliver differentiated lipid-based solutions by translating scientific insights into commercially successful products. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration - Lead, develop, and inspire the global Applied Innovation organisation, including Centres of Excellence and cross-functional innovation teams. - Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning. - Partner with Industry Business Leaders, regional teams, Marketing, Customer Innovation, Insights, Commercial, R&D, and Operations to align innovation priorities globally. - Build and maintain strong external partnerships with customers, universities, start-ups, and strategic innovation partners. ​ Innovation Excellence & Commercialisation - Drive Application Excellence globally, ensuring consistent technical standards, methodologies, and scientific rigour. - Ensure successful technology transfer from innovation into manufacturing, supporting efficient industrialisation and product launches. - Lead innovation-related digitalisation initiatives, including portfolio management and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) capabilities. - Oversee innovation budgets and ensure effective investment across strategic innovation priorities. Intellectual Property & Governance - Develop and implement AAK's innovation intellectual property strategy, driving proactive IP creation and protection. - Collaborate with Legal and external partners to manage IP risks, freedom-to-operate assessments, and competitive intelligence. - Ensure robust governance, compliance, and continuous improvement across innovation processes and systems. ​ Executive Leadership - Present innovation strategy, portfolio progress, and key initiatives to the Executive Committee and Board. - Provide strategic insight and recommendations that support long-term business growth and competitive advantage. - Act as a visible innovation leader across the organisation, championing customer-centric and science-led innovation. About you - Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline. - 10+ years of leadership experience within innovation, product development, or R&D in the food, ingredients, or related industry. - Proven experience leading global or regional innovation teams within a complex matrix organisation. - Strong knowledge of StageGate processes, New Product Development (NPD), portfolio management, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). - Demonstrated ability to translate business strategy into successful innovation pipelines and commercial outcomes. - Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify growth opportunities through customer and market insights. - Experience developing intellectual property strategies and innovation governance frameworks. - Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing global teams. - Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging Executive Committee and Board-level audiences. - Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex scientific concepts into clear business messages. - Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, global, decentralised environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. - Fluent in English; additional languages su

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