Strategic Collaboration & Partnership Leader i Älmhult, Sweden

IKEA  has the responsibility to develop, design, produce and supply IKEA stores with home furnishing solutions available to the many people. Each year IKEA Range & Supply introduces 2,000 new products in the IKEA stores. The total range is almost 10,000 products.

IKEA has decided to become a global leader in the area of the smart home. We always start from people’s dreams and needs in life at home, developing an offer that is relevant and affordable for the many people. Like everything we do within IKEA, but now in the field of technology!

IKEA Home smart is a new Business Area within the Range & Supply organization, responsible to develop and make the entire IKEA range available to stores and customers all over the world. Within the organizational responsibilities lie the design, development, sourcing, supply and steering of a unique, competitive and efficient range of smart products and digital solutions.

We are just getting started, are you ready to join us?

Do you want to be an ambassador for IKEA Home smart products? Do you want to help IKEA to build partnerships with other companies so we can continue to develop products that will create an everyday better life for the many people? Then look no further, this might the opportunity for you!

As a Strategic Collaboration & Partnership Leader within IKEA Home smart you will have the exciting task to lead, develop and maintain needed capabilities and agreements for IKEA Home smart in the areas of strategic partnership and collaborations. You will do this based on the business needs identified by IKEA Home smart value streams and in alignment with their Product Owners.  By securing and creating opportunities with the right partners you will enable IKEA to develop and innovate products, services and solutions and help IKEA achieve its long term directions.

As a Strategic Collaboration & Partnership Leader for IKEA Home smart you will be responsible for:

• Lead, develop and maintain Strategic Partnership and Collaborations development plan as part of the IKEA Home smart strategy;
• Define, develop and secure governance of strategic partnerships including ways of working, follow up methodology, manage and maintain overview of all strategic partnerships;
• Support Product Owners in the value streams in identifying their needs for strategic partnerships, and secure understanding and capability to work with strategic partnerships and collaboration in other areas of IKEA of Sweden;
• Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate stakeholders both internally and externally to ensure high quality partnerships and collaboration;
• Be the first point of contact for third parties. Nurture and respond to all interest working with IKEA Home Smart;
• Make initial evaluations and considerations of received invitations for collaborations.

Within IKEA Home smart we aim to build the team around people who are driven by curiosity and enjoys working in a constantly changing, developing environment. We love what we do and we seek people who love their work too, who share our values in their professional and everyday life! 

This role requires excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate others. You have interpersonal skills, stakeholder management and the ability to build relationships with all levels of co-workers and external partners. You perform and prioritise multiple tasks seamlessly and you successfully manage to translate business needs to potential partnerships and collaborations. By interacting with different professions, organisations and a variety of groups you enable brand development both digitally and physically. You are a great communicator and facilitator, and you enjoy working in a structured and organised way. We also see that you enjoy both strategic, as well as operational and administrative work.  

To be successful in this role, we see that you have:

• Successful experience in leading through collaboration and partnerships in multi-disciplines and industries;
• Previous experience leading within a global business, with significant experience in either business or innovation development, preferably from the consumer goods sector;
• Passion for IKEA Home smart products and our Eco system, knowledge in the areas of IoT, software;
• Strong business knowledge on operational and strategic level, and how strategic partnerships can impact on results. 

In IKEA Home smart we are looking for you with strong motivations in the following areas:

• Passionate about creating a great user experience and innovations in the area of smart homes;
• Energetic and committed to deliver result in a high-paced environment; 
• Solution oriented team player;
• Experienced and motivated in working in a rapidly changing environment;
• High entrepreneurial drive: Stretching boundaries, challenging what already exists, always striving to develop better products and solutions.

The position is located in Älmhult, Sweden which has commuting possibilities with hourly trains to Malmö, Lund and Växjö, and an IKEA shuttle bus goes back and forth to Helsingborg three times a day.

The role entails up to 50 travelling days per year, both short and long distance. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process you are welcome to contact recruitment specialist Johanna Hansson +46 (0)73 376 1744. If you have any questions about the role please contact Chiara Fasano +46 (0)72 352 8811.

We are looking forward to your application! Please submit both your CV and motivational letter in English by Sunday 15th March. We are reviewing applications as they come through so don’t wait to apply!