Category Manager

Company Description

We are building a better IKEA where we lead the business and create growth in a simplified and better way, based on our culture, values and with customers and people in focus.

We are now looking to recruit a Category Manager to join our exciting journey in Category Area Electronics & Home Accessories

Job Description

In Candles & Chemicals Category, we work close with our suppliers that is spread over 9 countries with common plans and goals in order to optimize our value chain, resulting in better products at lower costs.

Based in IKEA of Sweden, Älmhult, you will develop and implement the global Candles & Chemicals Business plan. We’re looking for a strong businessperson to lead the Candles & Chemicals Category on all levels: strategic, tactical and operational.

Together with your Category Management team, you will be leading business and people by securing competent and high-performing teams and leaders. You will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Category Business Plan, in line with the Home Furnishing business needs.

You will also have an active role in the Management Team for the Category Area. You will report to the Category Area Manager, and together with other Category Managers and Business Partners, you will contribute to the overall development of our business and organization.

The IKEA Direction is in many ways a “people’s movement” and it will be realized through people. We, together, can move IKEA in this new direction. We will learn how to co-create this new world of IKEA by being more innovative, digital and connected. As we deliver to the IKEA direction, we consciously nurture curiosity, enthusiasm and willpower.

If you are the right person for this position, we can offer you an assignment in a global organization with great development potential, where your ideas are heard and where the goal always is “to create a better everyday life for the many people”

Reports to: Category Area Manager

Number of category coworkers: 20 located in China & Poland.

Qualifications

You set ambitious goals and are accountable for reaching them. You act with speed on deviations and focus on what really matters to our customers.

With knowledge and experience in the field of purchasing, you have a strong capability to identify and capture business opportunities and deliver excellent results. You can easily combine working on a strategic level with acting on a tactical/ operational one. You come with good track record in current & previous positions. You are known for your innovative ideas and your ability to implement them throughout the supply chain. You lead by example and have the ability to bring out the best in your team and the different partners and organizations you collaborate with. You identify very much with the IKEA values and enjoy creating an environment where our values are a strong and living reality.

You enjoy developing your business through developing people and are passionate to support and work close with your team to deliver results. As a leader you are emotionally intelligent, meaning you are able to reflect, have self-awareness and an understanding of people dynamics, very well.

As Category Manager, you will be responsible for;

• Developing and leading the implementation of the Category plan.

• Securing performance of the category through development of current and future supplier base.

• Through IKEA way of doing business secure right pre-conditions for a professional long-term business development with our partners based on a shared business model, trust and transparency.

• Leading the deployment of new materials and new production techniques.

• Lead and develop the Category Management Team and be an active member of CA management team.

• Establish and manage the cost budget; Continuously use resources in an optimal way to secure business goals

• Recruitment, development, performance management, retention and succession plans for co-workers directly in your team

• Driving Leadership and Competence agenda: Identify gaps and needs, and build leadership and competence plans to meet the short and long term business needs

• Contribute to identify and act upon cross-category synergies & opportunities within category area and across categories in Purchasing Development.

• Ensure product and supplier compliance and implementation of global quality and engineering working methods and IT systems

Additional information

Please send us your application – CV and letter of motivation in English latest application is 9th February 2025.

If you have any question regarding positions please contact the hiring manager Jens Karlsson jens.karlsson@inter.ikea.com

If you have any question regarding the recruitment process please contact People & Culture Leader Malin Olin malin.olin2@inter.ikea.com

In the selection process, we consider candidates from IKEA as a priority.