Manufacturing Developer

The Lean/IPS teams mission is to support and strengthen IKEA Industry factories and IKEA suppliers’ factories belonging to 5 different Category Areas, with continuous improvements by coaching and challenging, using our lean/IPS concept as base. We work close to our suppliers, having common goals and plans to optimize our value chain, resulting in better products at lower costs.

We need a Manufacturing Developer to join our global team supporting suppliers in different areas and products.

This is an exciting challenge for You who wants to... 

• Lead Manufacturing Assessments evaluating the IKEA supplier’s manufacturing performance, systems and competence to produce IKEA products with as less waste as possible and to create manufacturing improvement plans.
• Lead improvements and develop efficient production processes, from incoming components to finished goods and shipment and enable total lower cost, improve quality, sustainability and/or deliveries.
• Drive shop-floor manufacturing improvements projects utilizing IKEA Production System concept methods and tools (Lean manufacturing).
• Perform Kaizen activities at suppliers, securing that right preconditions are in place.
• Implement Process control to support Quality Agenda and lower costs.
• Develop and implement Lean concept within the different purchasing categories through leading competence initiatives and secure knowledge sharing to suppliers and IKEA co-workers in Lean Manufacturing.
• Facilitate focused improvement learning activities and in general contribute to the IPS concept, which is the IKEA way at looking upon Lean. You will also lead, coordinate and work closely with local Lean navigators’ team.

We are looking for you who are enthusiastic about developing and implementing new ways of working within production and business processes. You are driven by achieving result in collaboration with others and you believe that leadership is a mindset visible in behaviors and actions. You are constantly looking for synergies, support collective learning and continuous improvements. You encourage people around you to achieve better together while nurturing cost-consciousness, reducing overlaps with down to earth approach. You build strong relationships with your stakeholders.

We think you will be motivated by this position if You...

• Are a Lean expert with several years of experience in implementing and managing successful lean projects or been a manager within manufacturing.
• Have a proven capability to drive improvement activities, delivering savings and develop lean thinking/concept to all levels of the organization.
• Have an education at Bachelor level or equivalent.
• Have passion for people and are a good communicator with a high drive and analytical skills.
• Have strong informal leadership and collaborative approach.  
• Are passionate about IKEA values, our vision and business idea.
• Enjoy working in a dynamic work environment.
• Are a good communicator in English, both verbal and written.
• Are hands on in your way of working with a clear and structured approach towards your stakeholders.

Thank you for reading so far!

To reach a full potential we believe it is import with diversity in all our teams. We also believe the work should be challenging and at the same time combined by freedom and space for life.

Location for this position is Warsaw, Poland.

You will report to IPS Supplier Development Manager and work with a group of Manufacturing developers and Lean/IPS navigators.

The position requires travelling (+100 travel days yearly).

Do you feel challenged and inspired by what you have seen in this job ad? If “yes!” Please send us your application in English as soon as possible, but no later than 29 September. We will interview continuously and if we find the right candidate before we will close application time earlier, so do not wait to show your interest.