For almost a decade, IKEA has been working with WWF and other partners (like BCI Better Cotton Initiative) to transform cotton farming and set social and environmental standards for cotton production. We strive to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future. This has led to more efficient farming methods, as cotton farmers are trained in sustainable farming techniques that use less water, chemical fertilisers and pesticides, while simultaneously cutting costs and boosting the farmers' profits.

From September 2015, all cotton in IKEA products come from more sustainable sources. Through hands-on training and field schools, together with our partners we’ve helped around 110,000 farmers learn more about sustainable farming methods.

We want to strengthen this and take it even further!

If this speaks to your heart and builds on your knowledge, why not be the next one to lead IKEA’s “More Sustainable Materials” Global Agenda?

What will you be doing?

As a Cotton Development Manager, you will be leading a team of 6 Cotton Developers spread throughout various regional purchasing offices to develop and execute IKEA’s Cotton and other natural material agenda as per Textiles Material Direction and IKEA’s Sustainability Strategy. Your role is to develop the Strategy and the Road Map for creating More Sustainable Materials. You and your team will lead and develop the agenda for cotton from more sustainable sources (CMSS) within various IKEA purchasing categories in different parts of the world. You will also create credibility and risk framework for securing the CMSS in the future.

Together with your team, you will manage a complex map of internal and external stakeholders to support your agenda implementation. From building development & compliance related competences in our purchasing teams, to leading and supporting specific projects with external stakeholders, to representing IKEA in different forums – these are just a few key elements of your work.

As manager, your will lead and develop your team of Cotton Developers. You are expected to build the required capabilities for your people, coach and support them grow as professionals. You will hold full responsibility from recruitment, development and succession planning within your team.

This role is reporting to the global Sustainability Manager in Category Area Textiles. The location for this role is preferred to be in IKEA of Sweden, Almhult, but we stay open for discussions depending on your preferences as well.

About the assignment:

1. Develop Strategy on Cotton from More Sustainable Sources (CMSS) connected to Textile Material Strategy and IKEA´s Sustainability Strategy

2. Develop a Roadmap connected to the Cotton Strategy 2030

3. Create a Risk Map, develop and implement mitigation plans with internal and external teams

4. Manage internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement the CMSS Strategy

5. Lead a team of Cotton Developers responsible for the implementation of CMSS and other initiatives

6. Coordinate and support the Business Teams in our various purchasing regions to create CMSS volume for IKEA

7. Secure compliance to all compliance routines connected to Cotton from More Sustainable Sources

8. Handle the internal and external communication related to CMSS

To be a successful Cotton Development Manager we would like you to have:
 

• Proven record of consistent excellent results in leading and developing both business and people (direct or indirect).

• Deep knowledge of the cotton production systems and related sustainability issues. Similar, you’d have a good knowledge of the textiles production set-ups and of the cotton & yarn market – domestic and international.

• Good knowledge of Supply Chain Systems, project management tools, traceability set-ups and IT related tools.

• Strong drive for business and delivering results, alongside with a strong orientation for sustainability.

• Capacity to finding new opportunities, innovations and make it happen through engaging and motivating people around you.

As a person you are:

• Interested and driven to find common interests and agenda, to build trust and partnership with people from different cultures to reach common goals.
• Willing to travel acorss the globe where project and partners are present.
• Strongly business minded.
• Able to foresee the consequences of one’s own actions and act based on high moral and ethical principles.
• Proficient in English, both spoken and written.

So don't delay, please send us your application in English as until May 9th at the latest! If you have questions regarding the recruitment process please contact Bogdan Pode (HR Business Partner) or Rahul Ganju (Sustainability Manager).

Please note this role will require extensive travelling time for the first one year.

Remember, the location for this role is preferred to be in IKEA of Sweden, Almhult, but we stay open for discussions depending on your preferences as well

You will work in an environment where your ideas are heard, where there is opportunity to learn new skills and where the goal always is “to create a better everyday life for the many people”.