Contaminants Manager

AAK Kingston Upon Hull, England, United Kingdom

Contaminants Manager

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 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.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.

About The Role

“Are you passionate about making a real impact in the food industry through data analytics, cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring compliance with rigorous standards?” We are looking for a Contaminants Manager to play a key role in ensuring AAK Europe’s adherence to contaminant legislation and customer specifications. In this impactful position, you’ll be responsible for managing the process of modeling expected results, guiding oils, components, and products to their optimal locations, and addressing both immediate and long-term contaminant-related challenges.

As the Contaminants Manager, you will:

• Ensure Compliance: Lead the effort to ensure AAK Europe’s full compliance with all relevant contaminant legislation and customer requirements.
• Drive Contaminant Control: Take ownership of both short-term and long-term contaminant challenges, working to optimize processes and materials routing across our sites.
• Centralize Material Management: Centralize the management of relevant materials, improving supply chain efficiency and enhancing predictability for our customers.
• Champion Best Practices: Play a pivotal role in consolidating best practices and supporting AAK Europe’s ambition to become a leader in contaminant control.

Responsibilities

As Manager Contaminants, you will play a pivotal role in AAK Europe's contaminant management efforts, ensuring compliance, optimizing operations, and driving innovation across the supply chain. Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Database Management: Collect and organize results of relevant incoming materials into a centralized database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date tracking of contaminant data across all suppliers and shipments.
• Legislation and Customer Commitments: Stay informed about the latest contaminant legislation by country and ensure that all customer specifications and commitments are clearly understood and integrated into our processes.
• Predictive Modelling: Lead the development and application of a predictive model that uses contaminant data and process insights to generate calculated risk assessments and outcomes for all finished products. This will be key in improving product safety and process efficiency.
• Pre-Arrival Shipment Planning: Oversee the pre-arrival adjustment of shipments, ensuring that materials are directed to the most optimal sites for processing.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Act as the key liaison between internal teams and stakeholders, ensuring all parties are informed in advance of any potential issues or risks related to contaminants.
• Contaminant-Related Cost Management: Keep detailed records of contaminant-related costs, including downgrades, additional shipping costs, and customer fines.
• Insights and Continuous Improvement: Provide actionable, data-driven insights that support AAK's leadership in contaminant control.

About You

We are seeking a driven, results-oriented professional with a solid foundation in food safety, contaminant management, and cross-functional collaboration. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your technical expertise to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency across the supply chain.

• Qualifications & Experience: Educational Background: A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Process Technology, Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Key Experience: 2-5 years of experience in the food, beverage, or related industry, focusing on contaminant management and compliance.
• Predictive Modelling: Strong skills in constructing and applying predictive models to anticipate potential risks and optimize processes.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven experience in stakeholder management, working effectively with cross-functional teams to implement solutions.
• Core Skills: A foundational understanding of the food production and supply chain processes.
• Project Management: Experience managing cross-functional projects that involve complex problem-solving.
• Analytical & Collaborative Mindset: Strong ability to analyze complex data, identify root causes, and take proactive measures to address challenges.

In return AAK offer

Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability. AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths. You will contribute to a greener world with AAK's sustainability-focused approach. Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.

Contact and information

Please apply through our career portal. For further information about the position, please contact the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Valerija Usova via email valerija.usova@aak.com.

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.