Process Operations Manager

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.

Compensation Range: $116,370 - $193,950
Possible Bonus: 10%

The Process Operations Manager leads and directs all production activities for the raw materials, refinery, bleaching, hydrogenation, interesterification, and deodorization departments, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of fats and vegetable oils. This position is responsible for coordinating personnel, managing process performance, promoting continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.

• Operations Management
  • Oversee daily operations and production scheduling across all departments under responsibility, ensuring alignment with demand, output, and customer specifications.
  • Direct maintenance activities, both preventative and corrective, working with engineering for capital and process improvement projects.
  • Ensure strict adherence to SOPs and quality standards in every process area, from raw materials and bleaching to hydrogenation, Interesterification, and deodorization.
  • Customer Service Oversight:
    Collaborate with customer service teams to resolve issues and improve service delivery. Ensure operations support a positive customer experience.
  • Team Leadership & Development – Hire, train, and mentor Plant staff, promoting a best-in-class workplace culture that is aligned with AAK’s guiding pillars and better behaviors. Oversee staff scheduling, performance evaluations, and professional development.
  • Maintain open and consistent communication with teams regarding performance, improvement opportunities, and company goals.
  • Participate actively in safety, food safety, and continuous improvement committees, audits, and operational reviews.
• Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
  • Lead and monitor efforts to improve safety, efficiency, product quality, utility usage, and cost across all processes.
  • Analyze and report key metrics, identify opportunities, and implement improvements to reduce waste, rework, and production cost per pound.
  • Cost Leadership:
    Prepare and manage departmental budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation;
    Track expenses and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality.
  • Collaborate with purchasing, vendors, and technical teams to optimize process efficiency.
• 5S & TPM Goals
  • Implement 5S Standards:
    Lead the implementation and sustainability 5S and TPM throughout all production areas. Perform regular audits, address gaps, and engage team members to maintain clean, safe, and efficient work spaces.
  • Champion TPM Practices:
    Drive Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives, including autonomous maintenance, planned maintenance schedules, and root cause analysis for chronic reliability issues. Empower production operators and technicians to take ownership of routine equipment care and participate in continuous improvement teams.
  • Monitor and Report Key Metrics:
    Track 5S audit scores, OEE, downtime, PM compliance, and improvement activities to ensure TPM and 5S objectives are met and sustained.
  • Foster Cross-Departmental
    
    Collaboration:
    
    Encourage open communication and teamwork between departments, utilizing 5S and TPM practices to improve reliability, safety, quality, and overall plant performance.
• Safety & Environmental Leadership
  • Model and enforce a proactive safety culture, maintaining strict compliance…