Regional Shop Design Direction Leader | Retail | IKEA Regional Office

Job Requisition ID: 179754 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of The Role:

The Regional Shop Design-Visual Merchandise Leader is responsible for positioning the IKEA store as the leader in life at home, optimizing sales and long-term profitability through innovative store design and visual merchandising strategies. This role includes designing store layouts that enhance customer experiences across channels while ensuring sustainable growth to inspire home furnishing trends. Collaborating within the Marketing & Communication & Interior Design team, the leader utilizes knowledge of consumer behavior to adapt global solutions to local markets, ensuring a perfect balance between maintaining IKEA brand identity and addressing regional needs.

What You Will Do:

Regional Support

• Lead and mobilize Communication & Interior co-workers in planning home furnishing following the regional business calendar.
• Take the lead in planning and implementing new shop design and visual merchandise solutions.
• Influence and coach Shop Design co-workers to innovate and inspire range presentation in retail spaces.
• Utilize consumer buying behavior knowledge to meet current and future demands.
• Strengthen competitiveness of IKEA product range across the Region.
• Plan, present, and implement range presentation solutions for the Region in all store areas.
• Ensure IKEA product range presentation reflects the needs of people in national markets.
• Develop store layout for optimal visual impact and commercial priorities.
• Implement global solutions adapted for national needs.
• Serve as the reference on visual merchandise competence, growing overall team skills.
• Act as a change sponsor, planning and coaching co-workers in understanding processes.
• Support Shop Design activities and improve customer experience through home furnishing expertise.
• Contribute to the Marketing & Com-In team's plan to achieve common objectives.
• Measure performance in own areas to maximize efficiency and ensure performance excellence. 

Coaching Store VM Managers

• Coach and supervise Interior Designers and Visual Merchandisers in IKEA stores.
• Contribute solutions to the IKEA toolbox for transferring knowledge.
• Use relevant documents for training and developing co-workers in IKEA stores.
• Mentor and transfer knowledge to aspiring Interior Designers and Visual Merchandisers.

Projects 

• Support Regional Expansion Plans including commercial planning, build-up, and opening phases.
• Improve current ways of working and business practices.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Expertise in customer buying behavior and decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of competitive landscape in the local market.
• Leadership capabilities to effectively communicate with the IKEA tone of voice.
• Strategic thinking to identify and capitalize on business opportunities.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Thorough knowledge of the Communication & Interior Design department's role and responsibilities.
• Passion for interior design, home furnishings, and design principles.
• Broad knowledge of project management and creative processes.
• Understanding of IKEA's concept, brand objectives, and operational plans.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably with IKEA knowledge.
• Leadership abilities to inspire peers and stakeholders within the organization.
• Ability to prioritize decisions and take a holistic view of regional operations.
• Competence in measuring performance and understanding KPIs.

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Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.