Logistics Operations Manager with Chinese and English language, Control Tower

At IKEA, we do things a little different. We think differently, act differently, and work differently as well. We like to break things. Like rules. And then make things. Like music-playing lamps. And beds disguised as sofas. Even plant balls that help us look after our planet. It’s all part of our vision - to create a better everyday life for the many. And it’s been keeping our co-workers going for 80 years. By 2030, we hope to help millions more look forward to going home. Maybe you can help us?

IKEA Supply is assigned to source, produce and supply the global IKEA Range, all the way from raw materials to customers. Through strong partnership with our supply partners, we manage a connected, efficient and low-cost supply chain, enabling a better everyday life for the many customers and people connected to our supply chain.

At Supply Chain Operations we connect our customers with IKEA products in a simple, affordable and sustainable way. We lead, plan and execute ?the supply of IKEA ?products between ?suppliers and retailers?. We contribute to customer satisfaction through securing customer perceived availability, delivering lowest cost over time, leading towards sustainability and ensuring the right quality for all services.

We are on a journey to strengthen our operations by establishing IKEA Control Tower.  It aims to secure optimal daily execution of IKEA goods flow, from supplier to retail market by providing an oversight of good flow operations, streamlining the delivery process and with extra cost analysis to enhance performance and minimize the cost.

The Control Tower is already operating in Warsaw,  Poland, and now is opening a second location for Logistics Operations teams in Shanghai, China. 

We are looking for Logistics Operations Manager, who will lead a team of Logistics Operations Specialists, securing excellence of daily execution of planning, driving constant business and people development.  

• You will be responsible to secure availability at lowest total cost to retail markets.
• You will lead, coach and motivate co-workers, enabling them to grow and achieve excellent results. You will secure knowledge transfer among the team, competence development for defined systems and tools and their leadership development.
• You will initiate and lead actions to meet defined business goals.
• You will be responsible for the execution of the Supply Operations Plan, through creating, implementing and following up your team action plan to deliver excellent results and meet customer needs.
• You will be the speaking partner for our internal and external stakeholders in case of a pattern of deviations to find long-term solutions. You will initiate proactive collaboration and efficient communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• You will establish strong partnerships with our internal and external partners to reach common goals and given an input work on areas of improvement.
• You will be responsible to secure compliance to agreed ways of working: secure the knowledge, implementation, and establishment of working methods, routines as well as action plans.
• You will actively support the team in daily operations. You will be part of the team and work in close cooperation with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. carriers, suppliers) to solve operational deviations during delivery planning and execution. Support the team in case of escalations of cases with repetitive deviations patterns.
• You will actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the transport planning and delivery process based on global working methods. 
• Take the lead for other tasks, projects and groups responding to business needs.

We need a dedicated colleague with a strong supply chain mindset who has a true passion to lead a team through the speed of daily operations in our Control Tower and work together with stakeholders across Inter IKEA. As a person you are resilient by having the capability to define and make priorities based on business needs and at the same time have a holistic view on IKEA value chain. You will have the opportunity to contribute with your strong motivation and believe in what this area can do for business and people development. At the same time, you will get the opportunity to learn more about the many different realities within Inter IKEA. 

• You have extensive experience in logistics operations, preferably daily planning execution.
• You have strong passion and preferably experience for leading business and people.
• You believe that performance goes hand in hand with empowerment of people and competence development.
• The IKEA values are reflected in your values.
• You thrive and are at your best in a fast pace and in a quickly changing work environment. 
• You have a desire and proven record of finding logistical ('flow') development opportunities and making them happen through engaging and motivating people around you.
• You dare to be different and you have experience of driving and embedding changes within own team or/and network.
• You have experience in setting and implementing action plans as well as providing clear direction and following up goals. 
• You have proven ability to make a difference by positively influencing the business directly as well as through good collaboration. You drive in find common interests & agenda, to build trust and partnership to reach common goals 
•  You create environment of constant improvement and process/organization development.
• You have strong command of English and Chinese, which will enable you to collaborate across IKEA Supply Chain.

Did we pique your interest? If so please send us your application, in English, by the September 10th 2024.

This role is full-time, reports to Control Tower Manager and is based in Shanghai, China.