Food Business Development Manager

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 and Thailand – 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.

The Business Development Manager for IKEA Food plays an important role in enhancing customer experience by maintaining safe, consistent standards. The role involves ensuring compliance with national food laws and standards, managing stock availability, overseeing document management and reports on food safety and quality issues. Additionally, the role requires coordination with various teams and vendors to uphold IKEA’s standards (including IWAY), address food safety issues, conduct operational reviews, and assist in developing future managers in line with the succession plan.

Every IKEA Food team member plays a vital role in achieving the full potential of IKEA Food. The following 10 tasks of IKEA Food must be fulfilled:

1. Attract visitors to the IKEA
2. Offer an appealing range to the many people
3. Strengthen the IKEA low-price profile
4. Support the perception of quality at IKEA
5. Contribute to a day out for the whole family
6. Strengthen the Swedish profile of the IKEA
7. Build trust in the IKEA brand
8. Ensure that co-workers get a good meal at a low price
9. Serve the many visitors
10. Be efficient and generate a reasonable profit

By doing this, IKEA Food supports the IKEA store in selling more IKEA home furnishing products.

• Work closely with IKEA stores' Food team, RA Food, IFSAG, and all local vendors (food, non-food, equipment, and services) to share knowledge and information about the requirements to ensure the IKEA product range exceeds customers' expectations.
• Ensure all IKEA Food range is legally compliant with country requirements by working closely with PR&C personnel and external warehouse and logistics partners.
• Identify existing and develop proposed or amended national product legislation and standards on importation, with the help of PR&C personnel.
• Responsible for product recall and product safety reporting procedures in the local market, keeping RA Food, the Country Food Manager, store IF managers, all relevant parties, and local authorities informed.
• Responsible for all CASY-related matters, reporting, and follow-up. Report any food safety, quality issues, and claims, which are feedback from stores, in CASY.
• Responsible for sourcing local food, non-food, equipment, and services from local vendors according to IKEA mandatories and Ikano Retail procurement policy.
• Work closely with the Food Demand Planner, Food Demand Coordinator, and IKEA stores' 2nd line managers on the yearly forecast and tertial re-forecast to ensure stock availability and minimize splits.
• Coordinate with the Food Demand Coordinator on ordering and shipping schedules and then disseminate this information to stores.
• Maintain and ensure that suppliers' agreements and information are updated.
• Conduct Operational Reviews in all stores within the country.
• Assist the Country Food Manager as a co-reviewer to perform Retail Landscape Reviews to ensure that stores' IKEA Food functions deliver the required customer expectations in terms of commercial excellence.
• Assist the Country Food Manager and store IKEA Food team with the country business plan.
• Ensure that IKEA stores have the lowest possible cost from vendors while ensuring good quality and services.
• Streamline and consolidate the number of suppliers to achieve volume purchases, thus securing good quality at the lowest possible prices.
• Ensure that all suppliers always comply with IWAY Standards and other mandatories (such as GFSI). Conduct IWAY assessments and follow up with all local vendors, ensuring they comply with IWAY Standards throughout the agreement period.
• Assess the competence level of all IKEA Food 2nd line managers, team leaders, and co-workers, and help them develop to provide a high level of service to customers, while also improving their confidence and knowledge.
• Ensure that the operation SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and PPSI (Production, Preparation, and Serving Instructions) are available, reviewed, and always updated.
• Work actively with stores' SFM/Kitchen/Restaurant teams and keep them informed regarding all import-related matters and compliance issues that could affect their business.
• Work closely with stores' L&D managers, sharing ideas and knowledge to improve the competence of all IKEA Food co-workers.
• Ensure document management, such as Supplier Agreements, CASY reporting, ASC/MSC standards, GFSI certification, and IWAY reports, are compiled, updated, and kept efficiently.

Motivation

• Sales-driven and passionate about food, people, and the planet.
• Driven to achieve and exceed goals, contributing to global business growth.
• Enjoy working in a dynamic retail environment.
• Interested in people’s everyday life at home and home furnishings.
• Motivated and inspired by the IKEA values.

Knowledge

• At least 5 years of management experience in high-volume retail or the multi-unit food service industry, handling import and compliance issues with external authorities such as the local food agency and health ministry.
• Good knowledge of IKEA mandatories such as IKEA Way of Responsibly Procuring Products, Services, Materials, and Components (IWAY), Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Rainforest Alliance, (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) etc.
• Ability to gather market information, assess costs, and manage risks. This includes evaluating suppliers and understanding market trends
• Ability to negotiate contracts and terms to get the best value for the company
• Self-reliant and motivated with a proven ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Good knowledge of food operation matters.
• Good knowledge of food safety, such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
• Knowledge of the IKEA product range and the IKEA Concept, plus awareness of the main IKEA business processes.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Capabilities

• Ability to manage a high-volume and vibrant retail environment.
• Ability to lead and develop people to excellence in performance.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, organizational and tactical thinking skills.
• Ability to lead change effectively and make things happen.
• Strong analytical and planning skills.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility, effective delegation skills, and the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently.
• Communicates well with others, influencing and collaborating across different functions.
• Proficient in training facilitation and conducting training sessions.