Business Navigation and Operations Manager - Market Fulfilment Unit

Role Overview

Business Navigation and Operations Manager - Market Fulfilment Unit at IKEA (operated by Al Homaizi Limited) in Kuwait.

Company Overview

IKEA is the leading Life at Home brand in Kuwait, offering well-designed, functional, affordable, and good-quality home furnishing solutions produced with care for people and the environment. IKEA has operated in Kuwait for more than 40 years under Al Homaizi Limited and is well established with six stores: IKEA The Avenues, The Warehouse, 360, Assima Mall, Khiran Mall, and IKEA For Business in Shuwaikh. The company believes in people, diversity, equality, and inclusion, empowering and developing teams through on-job intensive training, collaboration, and an international and diverse workplace.

Role Purpose

You are accountable for overall availability, quality of logistics, and service operations while serving as an active partner in the Market Fulfilment Unit's commercial and business planning process.

Key Responsibilities

Business Planning & Strategy

• Lead the Market Fulfilment Unit Business Plan with the MFU manager and management team, using customer and local market insights to steer growth, operational performance, and sustained long-term profitability.
• Translate the Market Fulfilment Unit and country business plans, agreed goals, and KPIs into actionable plans with clear project and performance follow-up mechanisms.
• Develop business cases and evaluate benefits, costs, and investments to secure strong returns, customer value, and long-term profitability.

Financial Management & Performance

• Drive financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning, ensuring alignment with Market Fulfilment Unit and country priorities and enabling timely action on performance deviations.
• Provide accurate, relevant, and user-friendly business information, analyse performance and market data, and identify opportunities to support effective decisions.
• Summarise and communicate financial goals, including P&L, business priorities, and performance insights so they are understood and converted into meaningful actions.
• Control costs, highlight deviations and opportunities, and promote simpler, faster, and more cost-conscious ways of working across the Market Fulfilment Unit.
• Work with P&L, KPIs, and financial and business performance analysis.

Cross-Functional Partnerships

• Partner across functions, touch points, Purchasing, and Service Office to align business information, plans, forecasts, and cost-effective supplier contracts, considering sustainability and environmental impact.

Risk, Compliance & Safety

• Secure a safe and secure environment for co-workers and suppliers by implementing relevant risk, compliance, policy, and guideline requirements.

Operations & Leadership

• Lead and oversee the Safety & Security, Recovery, and Maintenance functions within the Market Fulfilment Unit, ensuring clear accountability for their operational performance, cost management, compliance, capability development, and alignment with the Market Fulfilment Unit Business Plan, country priorities, and agreed KPIs.
• Lead and develop Business Navigation and Operations leaders and teams, building capability, identifying talent, and securing succession planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSc or MSc in Finance, Business, Business Controlling, or a related field.
• Solid experience in Business Controlling, Business Navigation, Finance, and/or Operations.
• Proven experience in business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance follow-up.
• Experience working with P&L, KPIs, and financial and business performance analysis.
• Experience developing business cases and supporting investment and commercial decisions.
• Experience in a fast-paced retail, logistics, and/or service operations environment.
• Proven leadership experience, including leading and developing teams and leaders.

Additional Information

• Applications must be submitted with an updated CV in English.