Head of Organizational Development

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™.

AAK location

The position can be situated at any of our locations, though placement in Malmo, Edison, or Singapore would be preferable. These locations have been chosen to maximize our operational efficiency and align with our strategic goals. The successful, candidate will be required to spend four days a week in the office, collaborating with team members and stakeholders with reasonable business travel to other locations required as necessary to effectively fulfil the responsibilities of the role. This travel is essential to support our international operations and enhance visibility and collaboration with leaders.

About The Role

Reporting to the Global Director for People & Organizational Performance, the Head of Organizational Development is responsible for driving strategic initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. This role focuses on improving organizational performance through the development and implementation of policies, programs, and practices that foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with business leaders, HR Directors, and cross-functional teams to assess organizational needs, design and deliver change management solutions, and support the growth and development of the workforce.

The role will develop and implement strategic plans to address key issues and align organizational development initiatives including organizational design, talent development and succession planning, culture and engagement, performance management and learning & development.

Responsibilities

As Head of Organization Development, your main responsibilities will be:

• Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing strategies aligned with organizational goals to attract, retain, and develop talent.
• Change Management: Lead and manage change initiatives to support organizational growth and transformation efforts. Develop change management strategies communication plans and training programs to facilitate effective change.
• Talent Development & Succession Planning: Design and implement talent development programs that enhance employee skills, leadership capabilities, and career progression. Collaborate with HR leadership to identify and develop high-potential employees for future leadership roles.
• Culture and Engagement: Promote and cultivate a positive organizational culture that aligns with the organizations strategic goals and better behaviors.
  
  
  

Organizational Design and Development: Provide expertise in organization design, including job roles, team structures, career ladders and workflow processes.

• HRIS Management: Leads the design, build and deployment of new practices in the organizations learning and performance system and continuously evaluate the effectiveness with business leaders, HR Directors, and Business Partners.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to foster a culture of belonging and support diversity in the workplace.
• HR Analytics: Utilizing data and analytics to drive informed decision-making, measure metrics, and continuously improve programs, processes, and initiatives.
  
  
  

About You

We are dedicated to fostering the growth and performance of the organization, teams and individuals. Your passion should be empowering people to realize their fullest potential and achieve excellence. You thrive on seeing the talent and capabilities of others unfold, driving them towards success and fulfilment. You will hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, organizational development or human resource management and a chartered member of a relevant professional body. Whilst time-served is not a primary determinant, you are likely to have a minimum 10 years functional management experience, preferably with at least 3 at director level in an international matrixed organization. You will hold exceptional industry knowledge, strong understanding of organization design, culture change, employee engagement practices, and hold excellent project management skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.

To be successful in the role you will also need:

• Strategic Thinking: Knowledge of the importance of "big picture" thinking and planning; ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.
• Organizational Development: Knowledge of Organizational Development processes, issues and considerations; ability to advise managers and implement programs in all areas of organizational effectiveness.
• Organizational Change Management: Ability to manage the successful and smooth transition from current to desired culture, practices, structure, and overall organizational environment.
• Talent Management: Knowledge of how an organization attracts, recruits, retains, identifies and develops talent; ability to develop the talent required for an organization to achieve its short-term and long-term goals.
• Succession Planning: Knowledge of and ability to identify and develop internal employees for the future fulfilment of an organization's core positions.
• Decision Making & Critical Thinking: Understanding of the issues related to the decision-making process; ability to analyze situations fully and accurately and reach productive decisions.
• Planning & Organizing: Ability to manage concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to priorities and mobilizing time and resources to get things done.
• Workforce Analytics: Knowledge of HR and workforce issues and trends and issues; ability to analyze workforce data, information and metrics and apply the results to support business decisions.
  
  
  

AAK offers you

• An exciting role with visibility and impact following a rescoping of the function with additional competences, empowerment to drive change and support successful execution of the business strategy.
• A pioneering multi-oil ingredients house, specializing in plant-based oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability.
• International exposure and collaborating with a diverse team.
• Investment in your development with training, mentorship, and career paths.
• A diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.
  
  
  

Contacts

Please apply through our digital portal. For further information about the position, please contact Recruitment Manager Europe Luuck van Kooten at Luuck.van.Kooten@aak.com. The closing date for applications will be 5 July 2024.

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 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.