Market Operations Leader
IKEA Retail Services AB · Malmö · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-11-08
IKEA Retail Services AB is seeking a **Market Operations Leader** to steer and support country Omni Area and Area Managers across markets. The role focuses on maximising IKEA ecosystem performance, market share, and penetration while addressing performance deviations. Core duties include providing frameworks, tools, and strategic direction to strengthen operational excellence, acting as the voice of local markets to translate regional needs into central development priorities, and connecting market insights directly to business development agendas. Additionally, the position holds overall responsibility for leading transformation across a defined sub-area while coaching and developing local leaders to secure a strong talent and succession pipeline. Applicants must have a **university degree and/or demonstrated knowledge** in the field, alongside at least five years of relevant professional experience. Candidates must also have **at least five years in a Country Management Team** as well as experience serving as an Area Manager or Store Manager with proven business performance. Essential requirements include previous retail experience, proven experience leading large teams, coaching skills, and strategic capability to manage ambiguity and deliver action plans. Prior experience in a complex multichannel or omnichannel retail setting is preferred, while home furnishing experience and familiarity with IKEA culture, values, and working methods are strong advantages.
Who you are
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• University degree and/or demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience working in a Country Management Team and experience working as an Area Manager or Store Manager, with proven performance and business results.
• Previous retail experience is required, preferably within a complex multichannel (omnichannel) retail environment; experience in Home Furnishing is a strong advantage.
• Proven experience leading large teams, with a strong track record of developing high-performing leaders, people, and organisations.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to lead effectively in a changing environment and manage ambiguity.
• Demonstrated ability to set and implement action plans, provide clear direction, follow up on goals, and prioritise effectively to ensure efficient use of time for self and others.
• Proven coaching and mentoring skills.
• Preferred: Knowledge of the IKEA brand, culture, values, and ways of working.
Your responsibilities
Support and enable country Omni Area and Area Managers to maximise IKEA ecosystem performance, market share and penetration. Monitor and actively engage with Omni Areas and Areas to manage performance deviations. Lead a sub area with frameworks, tools and direction to strengthen development and operational excellence across all markets.
Your main responsibilities will include:
• Lead with market performance as the core metric, providing steering, sparring and direction to Country Omni Area and Area Managers across the region/cluster.
• Enable strong local IKEA ecosystems by driving holistic performance while securing a seamless and excellent customer and co-worker experience in every market.
• Act as the voice of the markets by actively capturing, concluding and translating local needs into central development priorities.
• Connect market insights to Ingka’s business development agenda, ensuring solutions are front-led, relevant and adapted to diverse regional and market needs.
• Hold overall responsibility for a defined sub-area, leading development, transformation and operational excellence across all markets and CMPs.
• Provide clear guidance, frameworks, tools and ways of working, while setting goals, following up and securing consistent delivery of key sub-area priorities.
• Lead, coach and develop aspiring and existing OmniArea, Area and Market Managers across the cluster/region.
• Secure a strong, consistent and diverse talent and succession pipeline by providing the right frameworks, processes, tools and development opportunities for future-ready leadership and competence growth.
• Lead, develop, and inspire the team in alignment with IKEA values, building capabilities that deliver on strategic objectives and business goals.