Overview
Location options: Hull (UK), Karlshamn (Sweden), Malmö (Sweden), Aarhus (Denmark), or Zaandijk (Netherlands). We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director Engineering Europe to lead AAK’s engineering function across the European region. This senior leadership role reports to the Director Operations Europe and is accountable for the capital investment masterplan, engineering excellence, safety, ESG initiatives, and organizational development within the European manufacturing footprint.
Responsibilities
* Capital Management
o Develop and deliver a strategic CapEx roadmap/masterplan in collaboration with sites, engineering teams, and finance, ensuring value chain optimization, network design, clear site roles, and efficiency gains at reduced cost.
o Lead the planning, execution, and review of regional CapEx projects, ensuring alignment with business goals, scalability, and ROI.
o Integrate asset management and reliability engineering into a proactive asset replacement and investment program.
* Engineering
o Oversee development, implementation, and execution of engineering standards to ensure best practice in project management, operational reliability, and cost effectiveness across all European sites.
o Stay informed about technological developments in oils processing and packaging, integrating relevant advancements into site investment programs to ensure continuous improvement and future readiness.
* People, Organization & Network
o Provide direction to the direct team while fostering collaboration across the matrix organization, building a strong community with local and indirect teams to align on workforce planning, headcount, technical capability, knowledge management, and organizational design.
o Lead the regional engineering network and establish a clear engineering people strategy.
o Represent Europe Engineering within the Global Engineering Excellence function and within the Global Innovation function.
* Safety & ESG
o Champion a safety-first culture by overseeing the development and implementation of best-in-class safety policies and behavioral safety programs, striving for zero incidents.
o Drive environmental sustainability initiatives, reducing Europe’s carbon footprint, optimizing energy and water usage, and supporting AAK’s science-based targets while ensuring compliance with European regulations.
About You
You are a proven engineering leader with deep functional knowledge and a strategic mindset. You bring credibility, authority, and the ability to influence across sites and global functions. You should bring:
* University degree in engineering or a relevant discipline, preferably with a postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience).
* Demonstrated capability in strategic investment planning, CapEx management, and program and project management.
* Strong functional expertise in food or process industry production processes.
* Minimum 5 years in functional management roles, with at least 3 years at director level, capable of leading complex programs and teams.
* Exceptional business knowledge, leadership, and general management capability.
* Experience building and leading business or functional teams with strong cross-site influence.
* Analytical, structured, and results-oriented, with a track record of delivering complex projects to high standards; a people leader who inspires teams, drives collaboration, and fosters innovation.
Contact and Information
Please apply via our career portal. For more information about the position, contact Luuck van Kooten, Talent Acquisition Manager Europe, at Luuck.van.kooten@aak.com.
About AAK
Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen. We specialize in plant-based oils that serve as value-adding ingredients in many products. We aim to make products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable, through Customer Co-Development and deep knowledge across multiple industries including Chocolate and confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care.
We employ about 4,000 people and operate with 25 regional sales offices, 15 Customer Innovation Centers, and more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and headquartered 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 protected under applicable law in any aspect of employment.
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