Business Development Manager - Category Comfort Seating

Company Description

We are looking for a business-minded connector who gets energy by developing business and people!

You see things a little differently. So do we. We believe in discovering and developing the talent in each of us. We offer positions that challenge your skills and inspire you to grow. Come see things a little differently with us.

We have a unique opportunity for you as an experienced leader in business and people to join a team of motivated and skilled co-workers handling the purchasing scope of comfort seating products which includes sofas, sofa beds, office chairs, dining chairs, upholstered beds etc. in Romania. Our supplier base is in different countries across Europe.

As Business Development Manager for our business in Romania, you will lead the development of the business and future opportunities in Europe for IKEA. Being a Business Development Manager at IKEA means several things. As a part of the Category Management Team, you will actively contribute to the development of the Category Business Plan, securing business goals and developing people as well as co-creating the Category strategy.

Job Description

What will you do?

• You will lead the Business Development Team; inspire and empower the team and co-workers to perform to the best of their abilities and continuously develop in their assignments.
• You will be responsible to establish and develop high performing and diverse supplier base which can meet needs of our business and customers.
• You will aim for a wished position of being the preferred business partner for existing and new IKEA suppliers.
• You will optimize our value chain that can make better products and service at lower total cost for the many people.
• You will set the business direction with clear Action Plan to improve and develop business and supplier performance, and deliver to Category Plan, using the Supplier Development Process.
• You will secure planning and execution to fulfil the sourcing assignment and pro-actively work together with Home Furnishing Businesses to integrate opportunities and act on deviations.
• You will be an integrated part of the Category Management Team where you are expected to contribute to the continuous development of our business.
• You will secure compliance to IKEA Purchasing Manual and other agreed working methods.

Why we will love you!

You are a senior leader who loves to ask “why…” and “what if...” and you are passionate about developing business and people. You have proven experience leading teams and a great track record of delivering results through the people you work with. You easily build trust and partnerships to reach common goals across borders and functions.

You have a strong foundation in living and sharing the IKEA culture and values. You bring a high energy and a positive, solution-oriented approach to your role as Business Development Manager. You are comfortable anticipating and leading change and very comfortable working in a remote environment.

Qualifications

Who are you and what experience you have?

• You have the capability to lead, develop and inspire people - act as coach and mentor 
• You desire to find new business opportunities and make it happen through engaging and motivating people in a large organization
• You want to build trust and relationships, to build long-term business partnership
• You are capable to perform business analysis, risk assessment, scenario planning and draw conclusions to support the right business decisions and implementations
• You have good understanding of how your everyday work adds customer value
• You have deep knowledge of industry and market specific conditions and macroeconomics trends
• You have industry knowledge of supplier capabilities and material, service and production
• You have good knowledge of Supplier Development Process and Purchase Development Process
• You have good finance knowledge
• You are strong in negotiation

Why you will love us

As a part of Category Area Textile Furnishings (Category Comfort Seating), you will have access to a huge knowledge base and experience in both leadership and material, production and value chain. We offer trust and space to test and try, explore, make mistakes, and develop us and our partners. Are you ready to be part of a journey towards sustainable affordability for our customers?

You will meet the same motivated, skilled people like you on a daily basis and you will have a good feeling about your job because it makes sense and your contribution is recognized!

• Attitude towards our colleagues is very simple – honest and frank employees always get a chance to grow both in their personal and career life in a way so all of us can contribute to better everyday life for us and for our customers
• We do not intend to only fill in the positions here – we want to accept unique personalities who will share our values
• We listen to our colleagues; we understand their needs and we support their ambitions and skills
• We offer a possibility to work in a fast-growing company and in an environment where people and togetherness are the main values.

Additional Information

Please submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that we will be interviewing continuously, which means that we may close the application process earlier if we find the right candidate.

We look forward to receiving your application, in English!

This position will be based in Bucharest, Romania and will also be open for International Assignment. Travelling is part of the assignment to collaborate and work with different stakeholders, when needed. 

Sounds interesting?

Please send us your application – CV and letter of motivation by 20 -Feb-2025. We really want to get to know you, so make sure you tell us why you would be a good fit for this role.

Please note that we will be interviewing continuously, which means that we may close the application process earlier than stated if we find the right candidates. So, don’t delay, please send us your application today. All CVs/cover letter to be submitted via portal only. No email applications considered.

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process please contact our Category Manager, Imran Kalwar or P&C Leader, Anna Tell or P&C Generalist, Madalina Mititelu.

We are an equal opportunity employer:
At IKEA, we value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are committed to providing coworkers with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We encourage individualism and invite you to come join our team and be yourself with us! We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristic protected by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need.