Commercial Innovation Director

Making Better Happen Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the windy coast where Sweden and Denmark meet. From our success in Scandinavia, we've grown into the world's leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4000 people all 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. Every one of us works towards our shared purpose: Making Better Happen™. Everything we do is about Making Better Happen together. Join nearly 4,000 like-minded colleagues globally and build a better future with us. Build a better future as a Commercial Innovation Director in Edison, NJ. Compensation Range: $197,475 - $329,125. Possible Bonus: 15%. AAKEdison About the role The Commercial Innovation Director is responsible for leading and evolving AAK’s technical organization in North America, ensuring the team delivers differentiated, high‑value solutions that drive business growth, customer satisfaction, and long‑term strategic advantage. This leader will bridge technical excellence with commercial acumen, translating customer insights and market trends into actionable technical priorities and innovation strategies. Responsibilities Lead and grow a talented technical team across multiple technical functions (Operations, Applications, Research) to deliver top‑tier support, innovation, and customer solutions. Build a strong, well‑balanced team with the right mix of scientific expertise and commercial thinking by hiring, developing, and organizing for long‑term success. Be a key voice on the North America Leadership Team, helping shape business strategy, annual plans, and financial goals. Work closely with Sales and Marketing to set annual sales budget targets and make sure technical priorities support those targets. Own the technical department’s cost center budget, including costs for team operations and labs (applications labs and wet chemistry labs). Oversee all technical and customer‑driven projects, making sure they are sufficient to reach our growth targets, and they align with industry growth plans and our specialty strategy. Turn customer feedback and market trends into actionable technical plans and innovation roadmaps. Track and report key metrics (KPIs) that show how the technical team is driving impact, from operational efficiency to customer engagement to innovation results. Represent and broaden AAK’s technical strengths externally at customer meetings, industry events, and through thought leadership. Establish a strong bridge between global and North American technical teams — ensuring that centrally driven strategies are effectively adapted, executed, and aligned with regional priorities, while promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration across geographies. Make sure we have strong processes for launching new products, solving technical issues, and sharing knowledge across teams. Support compliance, intellectual property, and regulatory needs tied to our technical work. Promote a culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the organization. About you Advanced technical degree (PhD or MS in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field) and MBA strongly preferred. 15+ years of experience in technical, innovation, or R&D roles within food ingredients, specialty chemicals, or related industries. Proven ability to lead and grow high‑performing technical teams by building trust, listening actively, and empowering subject matter experts to take ownership and lead from their strengths. Strong commercial acumen with experience collaborating closely with Sales and Marketing to drive business growth. Strategic thinker with a track record of translating customer and market insights into actionable technical strategies. Confident decision‑maker with enough technical depth to challenge ideas, guide strategies, and make informed calls — without needing to be the subject matter expert. Strong presence and credibility with senior leadership and commercial teams; able to represent technical priorities clearly and persuasively. Experience building customer intimacy and uncovering unmet needs through direct engagement and market exploration. Skilled in project management, budgeting, and cross‑functional collaboration across regional and global teams. Comfortable representing the company externally through industry events, customer meetings, and thought leadership. In return AAK offer Career paths, training and development, e‑learning and tuition reimbursement programs offer potential for you to progress your future career. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision) starting at the date of hire. Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000‑$1,500. We match 100% of the first 3% you contribute to your 401(k), and 50% of the next 3%. Free Life and Disability insurance. Employee Assistance Program. Supplemental Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Legal Insurance Plans. Discounts on travel, amusement parks, concerts, movies, and more. Celebrations, events, and activities onsite and supporting our communities. Recognition incentives for service and peer‑to‑peer recognition. 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 a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & 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 with 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 on the basis of 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 in employment and application for employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr