The IKEA brand is one of the most successful home furnishing brands in the world. We are a values-driven company with a passion for life at home. Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people.

At IKEA, we see things a little differently. We onboard our suppliers as partners with whom we create long-term relationships. We want them to grow with us, become more efficient and achieve lower prices. 

• You can have the confidence and freedom to do things your own way, including organizing your time. Your well-being is our priority.  A variety of rewarding work awaits you, which you will be able to combine alongside your hobbies or family.  

• Use opportunities for learning and growth working with suppliers! You will be able to travel to look at various manufacturing companies, understand new and different technologies, people and cultures. 

• Everybody is seen as a talent. In regular informal talks with your manager you can explore your development and carrier opportunities. We will support you on the way by internal and external trainings. We embrace making mistakes and learning from them. 

About the job
In IKEA Purchasing, we are organized in categories based on the material and function of the product. A Category is a group of articles sharing same materials, production techniques, and/or supplier base. Each category is led by a Category Manager and it consists of number of Business Development teams based around the world (being close to our suppliers) and global functional specialists (e.g., Engineering and Quality Leader). The assignment for the category is to lead Purchasing based on a common agenda created in one common business plan. To take full advantage of IKEA economies of scale and competence we develop and execute sourcing strategies and thus meet the supply markets/industries in categories.

About the assignment

Business Developer will together with a team:

• On every day basis work to optimize costs of IKEA products.
• Transfer Category Business Plan to operational 1-12 month action plans.
• Together with each supplier set the goals and create action plan that will enhance the full potentials of the business.
• Negotiate with suppliers according to IKEA values and guidelines.
• Evaluate and develop existing production capacities.
• Cooperate in the product life cycle process.
• Builds effective and actively maintains relation with suppliers.
• Responsible that suppliers meet social, environmental standards.
• Responsible for the delivery and quality performance.
• Secure right competence to challenge and develop suppliers.
• In all situations act as an IKEA Ambassador.

Is this the right challenge for you?

We think that you have good knowledge in material and production (preferably wood) including cost of production within your area of responsibility. You have experience of international business and excellent skills in working with the cost drivers in the purchasing part of the supply chain. We also think that you share the IKEA values, culture and have a strong interest to work for a home furnishings company.

As a person you have lots of energy, drive and commitment to reach excellent results. You have ability to transfer big picture into concrete actions. You are business minded and are good in communication as well as building and maintaining relations. You have the willingness to act on opportunities and are also able to fluently communicate in English. You will be working in a truly international environment with a lot of contacts with colleagues and suppliers mostly in northern Europe. The position includes travelling. We hope you want to contribute with your unique competence for IKEA’s future!

This position will be based in Kaunas, Lithuania. The selection process will take place continuously, so please send in your application in English as soon as possible but latest 21st of May.

If you have questions regarding the role please contact Linas Starkevicius (Business Development Manager) at [email protected],  if you have questions regarding the recruitment process please reach out to Giedre Cesnulyte (People & Culture Generalist) at [email protected].

Please note that we don’t accept application through email.

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