Description

DEPUTY PROGRAM 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™.

AAK Tamale

Tamale

About the role

The Deputy Program Manager supports the Program Manager in planning, coordinating, and overseeing program implementation to ensure activities are delivered on time, within scope, and in line with organizational objectives. The role involves day-to-day operational management, supervision of field teams, coordination with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

Program Planning & Implementation
1. Support the Program Manager in developing and executing program work plans and timelines.
2. Coordinate daily program activities to ensure smooth and timely implementation.
3. Monitor progress against targets and support corrective actions where needed.
4. Step in for the Program Manager when required and act as the point of contact in their absence.

Team Supervision & Capacity Building
1. Provide direct supervision and technical support to Team Leads, Coordinators, and field staff.
2. Support performance management, including goal setting, coaching, and feedback.
3. Identify training needs and support capacity-building initiatives for staff.
4. Promote teamwork, accountability, and adherence to company values and code of conduct.

Monitoring, Reporting & Data Management
1. Ensure accurate and timely data collection, validation, and reporting from the field.
2. Review field reports, dashboards, and performance summaries before submission.
3. Support data-driven decision-making by analysing trends, risks, and opportunities.
4. Ensure compliance with internal systems, tools, and reporting standards.

Financial & Resource Oversight
1. Support oversight of program budgets, prefinance, cash advances, and reconciliations.
2. Ensure resources are used efficiently and in line with approved procedures.
3. Work closely with Finance and Accounts to resolve discrepancies and improve controls.
4. Support planning and coordination of logistics, equipment, and field operations.

Compliance, Quality & Risk Management
1. Ensure program implementation complies with organizational policies, SOPs, and certification requirements
2. Support internal audits, external assessments, and quality assurance visits.
3. Identify operational risks and support mitigation measures.
4. Promote health, safety, and safeguarding standards across all program activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
1. Support engagement with community leaders, partners, regulators, and other stakeholders.
2. Facilitate effective communication between field teams, management, and support departments.
3. Represent the program at meetings, workshops, and field visits when delegated.

About you

1. Bachelor's degree in project management, Development Studies, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field (master's degree is an advantage).

Type of functional knowledge, experience & skills required:
1. Knowledge of and ability to employ internal controls and to enhance business strategies for the purpose of detecting, correcting and preventing fraudulent activities.
2. Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in program or project implementation, preferably in field-based or community-driven programs
3. Proven experience supervising teams and managing multi-location operations
4. Strong understanding of data management, reporting, and operational controls.

Business/Industry specific experience:
1. Strong leadership and people-management skills
2. Excellent planning, coordination, and problem-solving abilities
3. High level of integrity and accountability
4. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
5. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

In return AAK offer

Competitive salary and opportunity for growth

About AAKEverything 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.