Planning Specialist - Sales

WHO YOU ARE
We believe you have passion in creating the future IKEA and that you get inspired by working together in an ever-changing multi-dimensional environment. You get energized by driving business growth and by contributing to overall success and results through collaboration. As a person you are motivated by increasing customer value and finding new ways through co-creation with colleagues and other IKEA units and of course you share and live the IKEA culture and values.
To be successful in this role you have proven advanced training in retail design, selling, merchandising the IKEA way, establishment projects, and sales follow-up experience – bringing a minimum of 5 years´ experience. We believe you have a background in merchandising and selling from a Markethall or Showroom environment or in depth knowledge and experience in planning the IKEA Kitchen range.
You have knowledge in:
• Retail Establishment Process
• IKEA Business Plan, Expansion Plan, and the ’10 Jobs in three years’
• project planning and execution within an IKEA Retail unit
• trends that influence home furnishing, retail design, merchandising and communication to gain insight to a more appealing product presentation for customers in our retail environment
• customers' living situations in different areas around the world as well as their needs in everyday life at home
• methods for optimisation of commercial square meters, methods for presenting the range and service range using store media, display techniques and store layout as commercial tools
• how to work with commercial merchandising and sales steering
• IKEA visual and verbal identity in order to facilitate the creation of commercial environment with a distinct brand impression
• IKEA concept, brand objectives, values and vision
• how to create and implement change initiatives and manage stakeholders in IKEA
• Customer Shopping Journey in a multichannel retail landscape
• IKEA MPS suite (ISP, MAA, etc.)
• IKEA Sales Location Management (SLM)
• The working method for presenting the IKEA range (10 steps)
• literacy in Microsoft Office suite
• IKEA Procurement catalogue (racking and other store equipment)
• cross-functional collaboration with a diverse commercial team
• IKEA product range and practical application of the Four aces and a King
• adaptability while working in a fast-paced environment.
In the role as Planning Specialist you need the ability to design retail spaces and home furnishing solution using new methods, digital systems and processes to improve performance. You have a creative mind-set with ability to encourage creative ideas and new value-adding perspectives. Moreover, you understand the customer needs and you challenge common ways of working. You are a successful communicator and you can present clearly within your specific area of expertise using IKEA tone of voice.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
In this role you are responsible to plan and merchandise retail spaces and home furnishing solutions for new Customer Meeting Points (CMPs) and major rebuilds based on our most recent home furnishing and merchandising solutions. You will secure planning of CMPs that present the range in a vital, inspiring way fitting the needs of the many and that enable access to the whole range in a multichannel retail world of IKEA.
You will:
• create detailed planning of new CMPs and major rebuilds
• work with an array of different CMP formats within strict deadlines
• contribute to designing retail spaces and solutions to become visually attractive and drive sales, based on the customer journeys of the new CMP and based on market input and local needs
• contribute to creating inspiring presentation solutions that reflect a wide variety of styles and price levels and life at home activities with seasonal relevance connected to the commercial activities
• provide design solutions that are documented and ready for implementation by market organisations
• support the commercial team by providing information of planned range and products for all design solutions
• provide detailed merchandising plans for all CMP formats utilizing the MPS suite
• maintain an overview of range selection that meets the needs of the local market while aligning with IKEA sales priorities
• provide information of all merchandise equipment and other support elements for turn-key implementation
• ensure efficient CMPs that present the range in a vital, inspiring way fitting the needs of the many and that enable access to the whole range in a multichannel retail world of IKEA
• create solutions that are adapted to efficient daily operation of the CPM
• be at the forefront of new solutions and new technology in order to optimise customer experience and efficiency of CMPs
• support the market implementation, in order to learn for new projects and share knowledge
• work with and support a diverse commercial team
• work across functions within Ingka Group and collaborate with other IKEA units
• drive an open and sharing climate, being a role model of the IKEA values.
This role is based in Malmö and will report to the Planning Team Leader.
ABOUT THIS WORK AREA
With the customer at the heart of everything we do, Group Expansion takes responsibility for strategic expansion planning enabling penetration of existing and new markets. We take the lead for business development of existing and new customer meeting points. We act on business needs and empower the markets to maximise accessibility, implement our retailing concepts and fully utilise our assets in the new world of IKEA – all at lowest cost, with economy of scale and sustained profitability.
QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT?! LET`S CONNECT!
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Sofie Skarlöv at sofie.skarlov1@ingka.com. Please note that we will be reviewing applications on a continuous basis and that previous IKEA experience is highly evaluated.