Lecithin Buyer & Sourcing Specialist

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 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™.

AAKLOCATION

This position is based in Zaandijk, the Netherlands.

This position sits within AAK’s European Sourcing & Trading team and focuses on managing and developing the lecithin supply chain for AAK’s European business, while also supporting selected global sourcing activities. The role has a strong operational orientation and involves close collaboration with the Regional Senior Sourcing & Trading Manager Europe, colleagues across sourcing and trading, and stakeholders in supply chain, sales, and finance. The position plays a key coordinating role within the broader sourcing network. The Lecithin Buyer & Sourcing Specialist is responsible for ensuring a reliable and cost-efficient lecithin supply for AAK’s European organization, while contributing to global trading initiatives. The scope includes contract management, supplier coordination, and market analysis, with growing exposure to trading execution. Beyond daily sourcing activities, the role contributes to projects within the Sourcing & Trading organization, taking ownership of defined tasks and deliverables. As capabilities and expertise develop, the position offers opportunities to take a more active role in coordinating or leading selected initiatives across the sourcing and trading function.

• Manage lecithin procurement contracts and supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply, high quality, and cost efficiency.
• Support trading execution through active market monitoring, contract management, and transactional follow-up.
• Contribute to market intelligence activities, including price benchmarking, supply–demand analysis, and input to trading strategies.
• Uphold AAK’s standards for risk management, financial governance, and sustainability across all sourcing and trading activities.
• Collaborate closely with regional supply chain, finance, QA and sales teams to align sourcing strategies with operational and customer needs.
• Participate in cross-functional projects within the Sourcing & Trading organization, taking ownership of assigned tasks and deliverables. As capabilities develop, take a more active role in coordinating or leading selected initiatives.
• Contribute to trading decision-making through data analysis, insights, and operational execution, while larger trading decisions remain the responsibility of the Regional Senior Sourcing & Trading Manager Europe.

• 3–5 years of experience in sourcing, trading, or procurement, ideally within agricultural commodities, ingredients, or the food industry.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret market data and translate insights into actionable decisions.
• Proven experience in contract management and supplier negotiations, with a focus on value creation and compliance.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively across teams, functions, and cultures.
• Ambition and potential to further develop trading and project management skills, demonstrating a proactive and learning-oriented approach.
• Proficient in English, both written and verbal; additional languages are considered an advantage.
• Available for occasional travel within Europe and, when required, to other regions, particularly during the initial onboarding period.

• Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability. In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
• 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.

For further information about the position, please contact Conor Kelly, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist by email: conor.kelly@aak.com

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 deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and 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 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 based on 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 employment and application for employment.