IKEA Industry, part of the Inter IKEA Group, is the world’s largest producer of wooden furniture and is an integrated part of the IKEA value chain. As IKEA’s own furniture manufacturer our role is to offer a unique advantage for IKEA as a world leader in home furnishing.

IKEA Industry has 34 production units, across 18 sites in 7 countries: Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Sweden, Lithuania, China and Hungary.

Our operations include forestry, sawmills, boards, component and furniture production. IKEA culture and values shape everything we do. Not only do the IKEA values bring us together, they also help us to do business successfully.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Within Manufacturing Development we lead and support new products, new materials and business development activities, furniture- & board-technology as well the Sustainability and IT agendas. Manufacturing development works across Core Business Supply offering support and services e.g. product development for IKEA Suppliers, energy efficiency, automation & robotics and the development of manufacturing concepts.

Within Manufacturing Development we organize Industry Business Development as well as operational support and development in the areas of Furniture and Boards technologies.

The scope of Boards technologies is to deliver low cost, functional adopted boards into the IKEA Supply Chain and to secure competitive board supply. We ensure a state-of-the-art, cost competitive manufacturing process with focus on quality, safety and sustainability. We monitor the industry and screen for new technologies and products, and, if suitable, support the units in roll-out and implement best practices to lower costs.

As a Technical and Quality Leader within Boards technologies you contribute with technical competence in developing new products and alternative adhesives systems, to contribute to the overall IKEA Material Direction. The role will support the local teams, mainly Technologists and Quality Functions to secure the right quality to lowest possible costs.

A DAY IN YOUR LIFE WITH US

Exciting challenge for You who wants to...

-                    Initiate and drive an activity plan per production site to optimize consumption and performance parameters to ultimately lower manufacturing costs, while securing the right quality level. Support the units in implementing identified improvement measures, establish a structure to follow-up activities.

-                    Select, manage and work in close cooperation with external technology/machinery providers and raw material providing companies, together and in close alignment with production sites.

-                    Maintain and improve technological benchmarking of plants, using available information (screen analysis, recipes, emission levels, glue systems and molar ratios, etc.).

-                    Secure a close cooperation with IKEA of Sweden (IoS), both in monitoring changes in legal requirements and in reviewing and updating IKEA documentation (IOSMAT).

-                    Support during R&D projects and production trials, as well as during implementation process of new products and adhesive systems.

-                    Overlook and coordinate the external certification process (TPC - Third Party Certifier). Establish and maintain a close cooperation with selected TPC.

-                    Hands-on trouble shooting in case of quality issues. Support the unit's RCPS process (Root Cause Problem Solving) and, if required, join for customer visits.

WHO YOU ARE

We are looking for a technical and people centric leader with focus on creating tangible value, building on experience from similar assignments. As a person you are passionate about leading business areas, influencing stakeholders, coaching, developing peers in the units. It is likely that you are currently working as a technical lead. You are motivated to stay up to date on the latest developments, tools and technologies, always having the business perspective in mind. You are a strong relationship builder, with the ability to create trust and successful collaboration in a multicultural environment. 

We think you will be motivated by this position if You...

• Are a down-to-earth and humble person with willpower and the ability to create togetherness and enthusiasm around you
• Combine an analytical and hands on mind with drive, curiosity and integrity
• Are business and service minded and easily communicate and create relationship in new environment
• Have good communication skills in English, both verbal and written
• Are delivery-focused with excellent attention to detail and drive to resolve issues
• You have good leadership capabilities and communicate with ease on all levels of the organization
• Have senior technical and technological competence in board manufacturing process
• Have senior competence in working with quality and management systems
• Have education in wood processing or similar and professional international experience from the wood based panel industries

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is a permanent position based at any of our IKEA Industry’s production facility, preferably a Boards site, which gives you the chance to be close to the business and interact with colleagues in our units.

IKEA Industry locations:Poland ( Zbaszyn, Lubawa, Wielbark, Goleniow, Stepnica, Resko, Orla), Portugal ( Pacos), Lithuania ( Kazlu Ruda),  Hungary ( Sopron), Slovakia ( Malacky, Trnava, Jasna), Sweden ( Malmö, Hultsfred, Älmhult).

The position requires  around 56-60% of global travelling.

Do you feel inspired by what you have seen in this job ad? If “yes!” we appreciate your application as soon as possible, but no later than April 14th, 2023.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Christian Höfer,
+46 72 886 49 86, [email protected].

The IKEA culture and values are very much a part of our business and day to day work life. For you to thrive and grow with IKEA it’s important for us that you share our values! You can read more regarding our values and life at IKEA on our website https://about.ikea.com/en.