Material & Technology Engineer

Join the global purchasing business for food!
Category Area Food together with internal and external partners, provides the food sold and served in all IKEA Restaurants, Bistro´s, Swedish Food Markets which 500 million guests are enjoying in 49 markets. In Category Area Food, we lead and execute the global purchasing agenda, material direction, responsible sourcing and the quality compliance agenda for the food range in IKEA. Today we are over 180 colleagues who work globally while being located across Europe, North America, Asia and other regions in order to be close to our supplier partners.
We are now looking to recruit a Material & Technology Engineer Packaging (MTE Packaging)- to join our exciting food journey! As a Category Area Material & Technology Engineer you will belong to Engineering & Quality Team. You will actively support Categories and suppliers to implement IKEA packaging requirements as well more sustainable packaging solutions, contributing by that to our ambitious plans towards the future.
As Material & Technology Engineer - Packaging, you will play a key role to positively impact the total cost of Food products by improving packing line efficiency at Food suppliers as well existing packaging solutions, creating pre-conditions for lower logistics and distribution costs within IKEA Supply as well lower replenishment and operation costs within Retail.
Job Description
You will report to Category Area Food Engineering & Quality Manager, being responsible to initiate and securing implementation of the packaging agenda, to secure packaging competence development, both, for IKEA suppliers and CA Food coworkers.
Together with the Engineering & Quality Manager as well with Category Business Teams, you will contribute to the development and implementation of Category packaging action plans, setting IKEA packaging requirement implementation priorities and building alignment with other partners in the value chain, to reach common goals and priorities. You will support the Category Business Teams with an end-to-end execution of their packaging improvement plans.
Key job responsibilities:
You will initiate and lead packaging and packaging technology development/improvement projects.
You will continuously search for and be updated on developments on packaging materials and technologies, both internal and external and will share to relevant stakeholders.
You will participate in Material & Innovation Development projects for new materials, shared solution, packaging platform and technologies in full alignment with Category Area and BA Food needs. You will work together with Category Business Teams, Supply chain Operations and BA Food to identify and use the best packaging materials in the development of the new packaging solution, with know-how in construction and technical platforms.
In close collaboration with the business development teams, suppliers and Packaging Solution Engineer (IoS) implement new and improved packaging solutions and handling material to achieve sustainable packaging with right quality, at lowest total cost for IKEA
Support business development teams with specialist knowledge regarding packaging requirement and follow up implementation of agreed activities for the Categories.
Support Packing Line efficiency assessments & participate in efficiency projects by providing inputs and recommendations on packaging solutions based on packing line efficiency analysis to Packaging Solution Engineer and Packaging Development Engineer.
Contribute to continuous development of Packaging in IKEA, by cooperating with Packaging Development Engineers in relation to Packaging Solutions and with Packaging Development members for development of IOS-P-0012 and IOS-P-0015 and by executing global packaging related assignments.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role we believe that you have:
Very good knowledge of Packaging Material (e.g., Cost drivers, Raw material, Production, Sustainability, and Innovation)
A university/engineering degree in packaging or equivalent experience
Experience of leading projects in complex environment
Ability to create network and to navigate multiple stakeholders
Balance strategic long-term view with clear business needs here and now
Good knowledge about IKEA value chain and value chain analysis
As a person you bring energy, drive and commitment to deliver better products for the many people
It is an advantage if you understand the IKEA Packaging Direction, Home Furnishing and/or Food packaging requirement as well IKEA Food Supply Chain. Previous experience as IKEA Packaging Specialist or Packaging Solution Engineer is relevant.
Your eagerness to build trust and partnership to reach common goals is significant
For us at IKEA, the most important thing is that you share our values. Values like leadership by example and that you are constantly being on the way with a cost-conscious mindset. As a person you are humble and have willpower and you have the ability to create togetherness and enthusiasm around you

Additional information
Is this your next challenge?
IKEA offers an exciting and empowering work environment in a global marketplace. And as the world’s leader at life a home, you have exceptional opportunities to grow and develop together with us. You will have a unique opportunity to engage with different cultures in our diverse team and travelling is expected as part of the role.