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Niklas Walderton

@niklaswalderton

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I lead global food operations, transformation, and large-scale manufacturing performance improvements.

Sweden

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead operations, transformation, and business performance in a complex global organization, using my experience across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, and large-scale investment programs.

At IKEA Food Global, I lead operations and Business Navigation & Transformation for a +20 BnSEK business as part of the Global Food Steering Team.

Previously at AAK, I led one of the world’s largest specialty oils and fats manufacturing sites, with P/L responsibility for 480 employees and +11 BnSEK turnover. I improved EBIT by 120%, raised the GPTW Index from 39 to 79, reduced LTIFR to zero, and cut critical complaints by 67%.

I’ve also led European engineering investments of 1–100 MEUR, asset management, reliability, operational excellence, and multi-site development. My background combines manufacturing leadership, supply chain, quality, engineering, and military logistics.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Business Operation & Development Manager

Current

IKEA

Nov 2025 - Present (10 months)

Responsible for operations and departments of Business Navigation & Transformation including processes and systems for IKEA Food Global. Member of Global Food Steering Team for IKEA.

Operations Management Business Navigation Transformation Process Improvement Systems Management

Director of Engineering - Europe

AAK

Jan 2025 - Nov 2025 (10 months)

Responsible for investments, technical projects, and reliability across European footprint of 5 process sites. Matrix responsibility for Engineering and Maintenance Managers in Europe.

Engineering Management Investment Planning Technical Projects Reliability Strategic Planning Budgeting

Site Director

AAK

Mar 2019 - Jan 2025 (5 years 10 months)

Site lead and P/L responsibility of AAK's vegetable oil refinery in Karlshamn, one of the world's largest manufacturing units for specialty oil and fats. Implemented new strategy and road map for Site Karlshamn, achieving EBIT improvement of 120% and GPTW-Index improvement from 39 to 79.

P&L management Strategy Implementation Supply Chain Management Quality Management Safety Culture Continuous Improvement EBIT Improvement GPTW LTIFR Reduction

Maintenance & Engineering Manager

AAK

May 2017 - Feb 2019 (1 year 9 months)

Led departments for maintenance, technical projects, and automation. Implemented asset management strategy improving reliability, OEE, and cost efficiency. Led Global Productivity Program for maintenance within AAK.

Maintenance Management Engineering Management Asset Management Root Cause Analysis Continuous Improvement OEE Improvements Cost Efficiency

Execution Center/Development Manager, North & Central Europe

Quant Service

Aug 2015 - May 2017 (1 year 9 months)

Multi-site lead for senior development engineers and project managers. Responsible for execution and development of OPEX strategy and processes including continuous improvements, best practice sharing, and root cause analysis at 11 sites in NCE region.

OPEX Continuous Improvement Root Cause Analysis Industry 4.0 feasibility studies Project Management

Maintenance Manager

Quant Service

Jan 2015 - Aug 2015 (7 months)

Maintenance manager for the mechanical department at ABB High Voltage Cables in Karlskrona. Responsible for building asset management program for the expansion of site including all equipment and training connected to the 3 BnSEK investment program.

Maintenance Management Asset Management Training Investment Program

Senior Project Manager

ABB

Jan 2014 - Dec 2014 (11 months)

Led three improvement and investment projects at ABB High Voltage Cables, delivering within budget and ahead of time. Achieved set up time reduction beyond target.

Project Management Automation OEE Improvements Setup Time Reduction Team Leadership

Reliability Engineer

ABB

May 2013 - Dec 2013 (7 months)

Reliability engineer at ABB High Voltage Cables in Karlskrona. Responsible for maintenance analysis, continuous improvements, and root cause analysis. Extensive trainings in ABB operational excellence programs including Lean and Six Sigma methodology to champion level.

Reliability Engineering Maintenance Analysis Continuous Improvement Root Cause Analysis Lean Six Sigma Stakeholder Management

Airforce Officer

Swedish Armed Forces

May 2011 - May 2013 (2 years)

Manager of logistics and flight equipment supply for Swedish medical evacuation helicopters in Afghanistan. Deputy platoon commander for flight time production. Responsible for logistic handover to replacement unit and decommissioning of base.

Logistics Management Supply Chain Flight Operations Leadership Decommissioning