Category Manager
Natural Fibre
IKEA of Sweden, Älmhult

We are looking to recruit a Category Manager for Natural Fibre Category to join our exciting journey in Category Area Wood & Fibres!
Category Area Wood & Fibres is a dynamic workplace where we are purchasing and developing business in material areas of Solid wood, Paper, Bamboo, Layer-Glued and Natural Fibre from all over the globe.
The vision of the Category Natural fibre is to contribute with natural expression and bring spice and vitality to the IKEA range. The supply chain consists of handmade production as well as industrialized set-ups. The Category wants to provide the customers with handicraft articles and natural fibre products at high quality and unbeatable prices and with all the products being produced under responsible conditions and from sustainable raw material sources. Natural Fibre supplier base is located in Vietnam, Indonesia & China, having 14 suppliers in total. 

As Category Manager for Natural Fibre Category you have a global role responsibility to lead the Category management team located across Purchase regions. 
We want to continue working very closely together with our suppliers with a common goal and plans to optimize our value chain, resulting in better products at lower costs under sustainable conditions. You will be in charge of developing and implementing the global purchasing ambitions for Natural Fibre. To be able to make this happen, we’re looking for a strong business leader with a passion for business & people together!
 
You will also have an active role in the Management Team for Category Area Wood & Fibres and you will contribute to the overall development of our organization and it’s shaping towards the future.

In the role as Category Manager you report to the Category Area Manager for Wood & Fibres Robert Olsson.

As Category Manager your responsibilities will be:
• To develop and implement of the Category Business Plan through the category management team
• To steer the development of wished position for the future supplier landscape, supplier classification and defining needs for new suppliers
• To develop existing production and material techniques
• To integrate the production, technology and capacity dimension into the HFB Business and Range; pro-actively contribute with competence and resources into the HFB Business and Range Development
• To establish sourcing assignments with relevant HFB’s by secure planning and execution to fulfil the sourcing assignment and pro-actively work together with HFBs to integrate opportunities and act on deviations
• To establish allocation framework and assign business to different regions/suppliers in order to secure optimal sourcing set-up
• To establish and manage the cost budget
• To secure recruitment, development, performance management, retention and succession plans
• As part of the Category Area Management Team, to contribute in order to identify and act upon cross-category synergies & opportunities

You have a strong capability to identify and capture business opportunities and deliver excellent results through others. You have a strong Purchasing background and skills. You can easily combine working on a strategic level with acting on a tactical/operational one. You are able to perform business analysis, risk assessment, scenario planning and draw conclusions to support the right business decisions.
 
You come with good track record in current & previous positions, in leading and developing people in a remote environment, you lead by example and have the ability to bring out the best in your team and organizations you encounter.
 
You should have strong communication skills, be fluent in English, be flexible and able to travel. We believe our ideal candidate also flourishes in an environment of change, and can act with the speed required for this business.  You should have a collaborative approach, be able to work with a variety of stakeholders and be comfortable working in the unknown at times.
You have a relevant university degree and ideally have at least 5 years of experience in purchasing with a proven track record, including a senior management position.
Of course you identify strongly with our values, you act as an ambassador for them and enjoy creating an environment where the IKEA values are a living reality.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact the current Category Manager Bogna Czeska +46 721 937 193.
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Recruitment Specialist Kristyna Brabcova, at +460733-427586. Please note that we will be interviewing continuously, which means that we may close the application process earlier than stated if we find the right candidates.
 
We look forward to receiving your application in English, at the latest 15th March 2018!

 
IKEA Range & Supply has the responsibility to develop, design, produce and supply IKEA stores with home furnishing solutions available to the many people. Each year IKEA Range & Supply introduce 2,000 new products in the IKEA stores. The total range is almost 10,000 products