The world is changing and the IKEA business is changing with it. For IKEA though, one thing will always remain the same ─ our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

We will strengthen and develop competences in order to meet the needs and dreams of the many people around the world and to be accessible, wherever and whenever they wish to meet IKEA.

We are looking for people who have experience from diverse retail organizations and other parts of the value chain ─ from supply to product design, development to manufacturing and everything in between. We offer a unique opportunity to develop a holistic view of the IKEA business. When you grow, IKEA grows too. Do you want to contribute?

About Inter IKEA Systems and Core Business Franchise
Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the franchisor and the owner of the IKEA Concept, including the IKEA trademarks.

In Core Business Franchise we are responsible for the IKEA strategic framework and keeping it together through an IKEA Concept which is updated, relevant, implemented and followed-up together with all IKEA trademark users.

We enable IKEA people in the value chain by developing new ways of working supported by processes, methods, tools and services, and we also develop the business by leading:

• The development of solutions that will ensure a unique and successful meeting with existing and new IKEA customers.
• When and how IKEA expands, enabling one common way of working with high impact at a low cost.

We offer an open working environment where everyone feels comfortable to experiment, try new ways and dare to ask: “What if…?” And we offer possibilities for you to develop yourself and your career globally. Read more about us at franchisor.IKEA.com

About the role
IKEA Retail Experience has the assignment to secure a successful, consistent, and relevant IKEA experience across all customer meeting points that are developed together with Core Business Range & Supply and all IKEA franchisees in order to create a common and unique IKEA way to engage our customers and offer them relevant services. It is an exciting time as IKEA transforms from a single channel to multichannel retailer.

Within IKEA Retail Experience, the Development & Franchise Offer area works with the common development and Franchise Offer processes, methodologies and follow-up of the customer meeting and retail business solutions. We provide project, innovation, process, development, design and portfolio resources, and work closely with the business to enable the development of a successful, consistent, and relevant IKEA customer meeting.

We are now looking for a candidate who wants to be a major contributor in developing the IKEA future retail experience by enabling development and innovation projects by means of building and leading an external community.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience from working in a similar role, being a true connector or relationship builder.
• Experience from working in innovation and/or lean development processes.
• Experience from working in global, large-scale companies.
• Affinity with customer facing digital experience (digital platforms, AI, machine learning). 
• Strong interest and experience in retail trends and innovation.

As a Community Leader, you will:

• Effectively build and manage various communities with strategic partners, such as brands, universities, hubs, labs etc.
• Build processes for the exchange of knowledge and information within the community.
• Build common ground for sharing and exchanging resources, setting up collaborations.
• Collaborate across IKEA entities to ensure that capabilities are leveraged and common goals and interests are identified.
• Work closely together with the Innovation Leader, Development Leaders and Project Leaders on development and innovation initiatives.
• Contribute knowledge and content to a strategic innovation council for inspiration purposes.
• Effectively lead and execute development projects related to Meeting the customer.
• Effectively manage stakeholders and communication across functions and organisations, building relationships and engaging in relevant networks within and outside IKEA.

About you
You are the person that is curious by nature. You are used to building a network, connecting people who have similar needs or who complement each other. You enjoy establishing relationships and don’t shy away from the content. You have an interest in development and innovation and see opportunities in discovering the unknown. You are accustomed to working with people with different backgrounds, appreciating diversity. If you recognize yourself in this description and are passionate about the assignment of Core Business Franchise and bringing people together around the topic of innovation and development, then we could be a good match.

We also believe that you have a combination of the following knowledge, capabilities and motivation:

• Capability in building and engaging in trustful and sustainable relationships; with a community of external parties as well as an internal knowledge-sharing network across the whole IKEA value chain.
• Capability to navigate and lead in a complex, unknown and fast-changing environment.
• Ability to understand and translate the business needs for the development and innovation portfolio for future needs. 
• Knowledge of design thinking, innovation and lean development processes.
• Tech-savvy-ability and curious for the unknown.
• Healthy competitive spirit, with a forward-looking, strategic and creative mind-set.
• Strong verbal and written English language skills.
• Good leadership and networking skills.
• Solid Project management knowledge.
• Motivated by delivering on targets ensuring good business results,
• Passionate about the IKEA vision.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced, global, multicultural and changing environment.

In this role, you will report directly to the Development Support Manager. That said, it’s critical to work cross-functionally with other colleagues, stakeholders in Core Business Franchise and other organisations, and to collaborate closely with business leaders across IKEA. As we are in the process of changing the way we are organised in Core Business Franchise, additional responsibilities may arise.

This a full time position (40h/week). Travels will be required. This position is based in Delft, the Netherlands, but in exceptional cases with the right candidate this position could be based in Malmö, Sweden, instead. 

Please send your application – CV and letter of motivation – by 2 October 2020.