Business Developer – Stainless Steel (SZ)

Job description

Company description

In IKEA Purchasing, we are organised 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.

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. 

You see things a little differently. So do we. We believe that what you values are more important than what your CV says. We offer positions that will challenge your skills and let you grow. Come see things a little differently with us.

 

Job description

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

A few perks of joining the IKEA team:

·         You can take responsibility, find your way, innovate, and drive business in the IKEA environment

·  You have the confidence and freedom to do things your own way, including organizing your time.  We stand for a healthy work-life balance. A variety of rewarding work awaits you, which you will be able to combine alongside your hobbies and/or family.
·  Use opportunities for learning and growth working closely with suppliers!  You will have the opportunity to travel and meet with various manufacturing companies, obtain a better understanding of new and different technologies, and be introduced to people from different 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 along the way with numerous trainings. We embrace making mistakes and encourage our colleagues to learn from them and most importantly share them with your colleagues. We value learning together as a team!

 

As a Business Developer, you will be an informal leader of a 3-member micro-team. With a Production Engineer, who takes cares of the production process and quality, and a Supply Planner who handles logistics. Based on the analysis, you will draw up an action plan once a year to reduce production costs and to develop better design for the customers, all within the framework of sustainability and ethical business practices. You also can expect to:

·        Develop partnerships with suppliers – The micro team travels regularly, in order to solve production issues and to provide suppliers with feedback and help with the implementation of the action plan.

·        Create production calculations – Look for cost saving opportunities for both existing and new products.

·        Operation – Communicate with suppliers, the management in team meetings regarding project implementation and data entry.

Qualification

Are you IKEA’s next Business Developer?

In order to shine in this role we hope to see that you check the following boxes:

·  You have passion for business and the end-goal , both will come in handy! When negotiating with suppliers you have to be a strict but fair, with the ability to concentrate your energy on fixing all the normal business issues.
·  You have knowledge and experience in economics and finance  – understanding of a company’s financials like cash-flow, P&L, income statement etc. Able to work with cost breakdown, the price is alpha and omega for us.
·  You will use the art of dealing with people  - empathy and good communication skills are essential in coordinating your small team and in negotiating with suppliers and many other stakeholders in the IKEA supply chain.
·  You use analytical skills that are necessary for working with numbers , when negotiating prices, or when setting priorities for your work, which is usually high paced and demanding.
·  You are a team player!  At IKEA we value collaboration and teamwork. You will often lead projects but should encourage and value input from your team members and stakeholders.

 

Finally, we hope that you share our values and have a great interest in joining our mission to create a better life for the many people. Let’s do this together!

Affected co-workers within change scope will have priority over other internal applicants with similar competence levels

More Information

The location of this position in Shenzhen. We are look forward to receiving your application in English. Please note that we will be interviewing continuously so do not delay, send in your application today!