(November 7, 2024) Edison, NJ – AAK, one of the world’s leading ingredient suppliers specializing in value-adding specialty fats and oils, recently announced Chandra Rien has joined AAK USA as Account Manager for the Western region. In this role, Rien will leverage years of food industry experience, strong technical expertise and relationship-building skills to drive growth for AAK in the US.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chandra Rien to AAK as the Western Region Sales Team Account Manager,” said Joe Campbell, Vice President, Go-to-Market, AAK North America. “With a proven background in the food industry in both R&D and on the commercial side, Chandra is ideal to further strengthen our team as we work to deepen our engagement and support of key accounts. She will lead efforts in the Western region, building relationships, identifying and co-developing new opportunities, while generating growth with some of the most innovative companies in the US.”
As Account Manager, Chandra Rien brings her passionate food scientist background to help navigate complex customer networks—including Product Development, R&D and Procurement—ensuring that AAK delivers tailored solutions aligned with each client’s unique needs. She is also responsible for managing and expanding the Western US territory, with a focus on driving growth and fostering long-term partnerships. Her responsibilities include establishing, maintaining and cultivating strong relationships with key clients, playing a crucial role in identifying and recommending opportunities for new product development that align with both market trends and customer demands. Additionally, she oversees pricing strategies and profitability management within the Western region, balancing customer satisfaction with AAK’s mission of Making Better Happen with its plant-based fat and oil solutions.
Chandra Rien has nearly a decade of food science experience and new product development success—from ideation through commercialization, reformulation and line extensions, and co-manufacturing projects. She has previously served as RD&A Manager at California Nutritional Products, Inc. and was a Senior Scientist at Kerry Group for confectionery and cereal segments. Rien holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from North Dakota State University.
To learn more about how AAK’s innovative solutions can accelerate your path to market, visit www.betterwithaak.com.
We are AAK – The Co-Development Company.
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 4,100 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 16 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 150 years.
