Business Navigation Manager, Ikano Retail

The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. We do this by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. We operate in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines – and have an ambitious expansion plan to bring a little bit of Sweden to new markets in the region. We are part of the Ikano Group of companies and the only IKEA franchisee owned by the Kamprad family that founded IKEA.

We also develop, own and operate Shopping Centres that are anchored by IKEA and create walkable communities by including residential, office and other types of real estate in our development plans.

We work towards making sustainability a natural part of our everyday work. We are active in our communities, driving and supporting social initiatives that benefit children, women and the environment.

About the job

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Business Navigation Manager helps to navigate and steer IKEA to sustained long-term profitable growth by securing and continuously evolving an effective performance measurement framework consistent across all countries, to give a complete profit and loss overview.

You will also lead and coordinate country Business Navigators to support business performance and ensure financial independence. Additionally, you will promote lean, simple, and effective ways of working and support the organization in making sound investment decisions.

Your assignment

• In cooperation with the Country Navigators, Commercial Network Organization, Data & Analytics team and functional leads to develop & implement the principles, methods, and tools to create the best view on Ikano Retail’s performance of the IKEA business line.
• Work with Finance and Business Operations manager and to secure that developed principles are properly reflected in corporate Manuals and SOPs.
• Contribute actively to the creation of a consolidated view on actual performance of Ikano Retail (IKEA BL), identify areas for improvement, business potentials with commercial and operational insights to improve the accuracy of our budgeting and forecasting.
• Support the Reporting & Consolidation Manager in the coordination and stakeholder alignment for the IKEA Budget & Forecast (incl. SA) processes by creating organisation alignment on timeline & milestones as well as on central directions/ budget assumptions (e.g. budget frame).
• To review and challenge the country managers and BN’s on their IKEA country performance for actuals, forecast and budget ensuring all required commentaries are updated to deadline.
• Lead the creation of the goal and frame letters with the Country BN’s and confirming the basis of the incentive targets for the IKEA business line.
• Working together with Country Retail and BN managers to create and follow-up of long term (3, 5 &10 Years) financial plan for Ikano Retail.
• Develop and implement principles, methods, and tools to assess for Expansion investment opportunities and projects applied consistently across Ikano Retail (IKEA BL) markets at both pre-opening and post-opening stages.
• In cooperation with the respective Country BN Managers, follow-up on completed IKEA Expansion projects performance compared to Investment Request and identify possible areas for improvements.
• Support Ikano Retail (IKEA BL) global projects with financial simulations navigating towards best possible Return on investment as well as the best experience for Customers and Co-Workers.
• Be a manager for Manpower Navigation Manager, matrix partner for Country Business Navigation Managers and to represent Ikano Retail (IKEA BL) at IKEA CBF Forecasting Forum.
• Promote the use of business cases when identifying, evaluating, and acting on business opportunities.
• To analyse and evaluate benefits, costs and investments, looking at the business from all relevant perspectives, ensuring a good return on investment and qualitative business cases taking the macroeconomic indicators into account.
• Create an environment where the IKEA culture is strong and where the diversity of our customers and co-workers is valued.

Your profile

• Recognized academic qualification with minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in leading the development of strategic agenda in retail and of insight & operations.
• Experience of using knowledge of sales/ customer behaviour to develop business plans.
• Natural change leader, with the motivation to develop and grow our business and people.
• Capable to drive the agenda strategically and tactically across various markets, functions, and cultures.
• Capable in leading and/or facilitating development of strategic and tactical direction in the area of insight, business planning, customer experience & operations.
• High interest in IKEA retail business and home furnishing with emphasis on people’s life at home combined with strong business development interest.
• Driven by further developing the IKEA brand and customers engagement with IKEA.
• Strong ability to recognize market trends and translate them for IKEA relevance.
• Strong understanding of IKEA processes and problem-solving ability.
• Strong identification with the IKEA Culture and Values and motivated by achieving resuts and to exceed goal through people.
• Good understand of IKEA Concept, Brand , Culture and business model will be advantageous.

The selection process will take place continuously, so if you are interested in this exciting position, please apply by 11 October 2024.