Material Technology Engineer – CA Wood

Company Description
We are building a better IKEA where we lead the business and create growth in a simplified and better way, based on our culture, values and with customers and people in focus. Creating a better IKEA Purchasing has the aim to ensure that our ways of working enable IKEA to grow and develop according to Growing IKEA Together 2020 and beyond.
Welcome to Category Area Wood, the home of five wood related categories. With about 300 co-workers and 200 suppliers across the world, we create a strong wood supply chain for more sustainable and affordable IKEA products for the many.
Wood is an essential material and important part of the IKEA heritage. We can proudly say that around 60% of our sales in IKEA are connected to wood-based products. In Category Area Wood, we procure and source wood-based articles that our many customers enjoy amongst which are iconic IKEA families such as BILLY, PAX, IVAR, KALLAX, POÄNG and our kitchen ranges. Our culture is entrepreneurial and based on trust. We have the space to lead, explore and learn from mistakes.
Are you ready to be part of a journey towards affordable sustainability for our customers? We are now looking to recruit a Material & Technology Engineer to join our exciting journey!
Job Description
As Material & Technology Engineer within Category Area Wood, you will be a key contributor, initiating and leading material & technology development and improvement of existing materials and technologies in order to improve performance, durability, cost effectiveness and sustainability of products.
You will bring your material and process knowledge into the product development process, supporting “right from the beginning” with best overall solution in terms of cost, performance.
You will secure category specific knowledge of Materials and Technologies and clarify and maintain current IKEA standards to ensure IKEA’s competitive advantage.

As a Material Technology Engineer, your main responsibilities will be to:
Initiate and lead material & technology development/improvement projects.
Continuously search for and be updated on developments in the assigned specialist area (internal and external) and share to relevant stakeholders.
Participate in Material & Innovation development projects for new materials & technologies in alignment with the range and business needs.
Be the speaking partner to purchasing teams and Home Furnishing Businesses to identify & use production and material potentials in the product development, with know-how in construction, material, production and technical platforms.
Together with the Product Development teams (POD-teams) secure an effective utilization and implementation of new materials and technologies in the product development process to achieve better quality and lower cost.
Sustain and communicate specifications and standards for relevant materials as well as support in developing new test methods in cooperation with Test Lab, Product Requirement and Compliance (PR&C) and relevant industry partners
Secure knowledge sharing and lead material specific trainings
Secure usage of standards when possible and/or standardization of existing and proven materials

If you are the right person for this position, we can offer you an assignment in a global organization with great development potential, where your ideas are heard and where the goal always is “to create a better everyday life for the many people”!
Qualifications
· With solid material knowledge and experience from layer glued production processes and material characteristics, you have the ability to combine long and short-term view in a complex environment and deliver excellent results.
· You enjoy working with supplier development utilizing and sharing your material and production technology knowledge and experience.
· You influence others through cooperation and networking and have a strong drive, combining analytical approach with being business minded.
Additional Information
We have identified a preferred candidate for this position. This position is based in Älmhult, Sweden.