National Sales Director

National Sales Director

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™.

AAK Edison

This position will be based in Edison NJ and there will be significant travel expected.

About the role

The AAK National Sales Director is responsible for driving growth, brand positioning, and strategic customer partnerships. This role will lead sales strategy, business development, and the alignment of customer-specific product innovation while collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to ensure flawless execution and sustained brand differentiation.

Responsibilities

• Drive national and regional sales strategies by identifying the right customer segments, conducting competitive and landscape assessments, and recommending go-to-market approaches that differentiate AAK and its customer innovation model from competitive offerings.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of business development opportunities aligned with strategic targets and customer value propositions.
• Work closely with Customer Innovation to support product development, innovation, and execution of customer-specific solutions.
• Partner with regional sales directors to execute and deliver.
• Provide strong leadership to a geographically diverse sales team, ensuring alignment and motivation at every level. Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration, driving the team to deliver outstanding results.
• Partner with Go to Market Pricing, Sourcing & Trading and Operations to ensure AAK delivers the best contracts and products to our customers.
• Build and maintain strong internal stakeholder relationships across AAK to ensure alignment, internal advocacy, and the ability to execute against customer commitments and expectations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and brand ambassador for AAK, articulating product quality, differentiation, and value to both internal and external partners.
• Working closely with Marketing, monitor market trends, customer feedback, and competitive dynamics to continuously refine strategy and identify new growth opportunities.
• Provide oversight and guidance to the AAK US Customer Service team
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

About you

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree in a scientific or technical field (food science, chem engineer/ MBA preferred
10 Years - Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in the food ingredients industry, with a strong emphasis on business-to-business sales.
Proven track record of sales and business development success across multiple customer types, including independent operators, regional chains, and national accounts.
Deep understanding of multiple food and non-food ingredient usage types (chocolate & confectionary, bakery, wax product development, and customer-specific solutions within to food manufacturers.
Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships, influence cross-functional partners, and drive execution in a complex, matrixed organization.
Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to translate market insights into actionable growth strategies.
Strong business acumen; growth mindset and an entrepreneurial thinker
Systematic approach to problem solving
Excellent presentation and communication skills
Excellent relationship building / internal and external as well as demonstrated strong customer relations skills
Highly effective organization and planning skills
SalesForce & other MicroSoft Office tools

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 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 on site and supporting our communities
Recognition incentives for service and peer to peer recognition

At AAK we strive to maintain a workplace that values diversity and inclusivity, to create an environment where our employees can unleash their true potential. We believe that a diverse team brings new perspectives and ideas to the table and motivates us to Make Better Happen in all our endeavors. Our leadership team, as well as everyone at AAK, prioritizes the health and safety of all who join our mission. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and foster a work environment that’s welcoming and accepting so that anyone who applies or joins AAK has equal access to opportunity.

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.