Business Developer - Category Contract Logistics, IKEA Supply Chain Operations

Ikea Ab; Klang City; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IKEA Ab is seeking a skilled Business Developer for Port Klang, Malaysia, to source and negotiate warehousing and logistics partnerships. You will develop solutions that balance total supply chain cost with service level, capacity, and sustainability while managing external service providers end-to-end.

You will lead negotiations, implement new solutions with the team, and drive day-to-day performance against KPIs on cost, quality, lead time, and utilization in a dynamic, international

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge of logistics, contract logistics, warehousing and distribution.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to optimise costs.
• Experience with data analytics to drive decisions.

Responsibilities

• Source and negotiate warehousing and logistics partnerships.
• Develop solutions balancing total supply chain cost with service level and sustainability.
• Own portfolio of external logistics providers end to end and drive KPI performance.

Skills

Logistics expertise

Negotiation skills

Data analytics

Cross-functional collab

English fluency

Education

University degree in logistics, economics, or business administration

Tools

Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Job description

Company description

At IKEA, we believe that we are better when we are physically together for collaboration, dialogues, and conversations. We believe in the power of human interactions, the informal chats, the energy, belonging, and creativity generated by people being in the same place. Our approach is that we spend most of our time in the IKEA workplace, with the flexibility to work from home.

Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. We do this by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing and food products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.

Supply Chain Operations

Supply Chain Operations is a global business unit within IKEA Supply, connecting customers with IKEA products in a simple, affordable, and sustainable way. With over 700 co-workers, we lead, plan, and execute the supply of products between suppliers and retailers. We deliver excellent transport and logistics solutions by optimizing replenishment, managing goods flow, sourcing and developing transport and logistics capacities, and securing supply quality.

Category Contract Logistics

Category Contract Logistics is responsible for sourcing and operating outsourced warehouses and logistics services at optimal cost, while meeting high service and quality standards. We ensure safety, security, and sustainability, continuously contributing to the IKEA vision. Operating in one of the most dynamic areas of logistics, we embrace innovation and technology to keep improving. To support our growth in South and Southeast Asia, we are now looking for a Business Developer to join our team in Port Klang, Malaysia.

Job description

We are looking for a skilled and motivated person to source, negotiate and develop our warehousing and logistics partnerships, and to make sure they deliver strong performance for IKEA customers. Our team sources, implements and develops solutions that balance total supply chain cost with service level, capacity and sustainability.

As a Business Developer, you will play a key role in shaping the future of IKEA's logistics network. You will own a portfolio of external logistics service providers end to end: sourcing new solutions, implementing them together with the team, and driving your service provider’s day-to-day performance against clear targets for cost, quality, lead time and capacity utilisation. You will secure the business objectives set out in the Category Contract Logistics business plan and build service providers that perform today and are ready for tomorrow. Your work connects directly to three of our business priorities:

• Low cost: you deliver year-on-year cost development across your portfolio and take waste out of the value chain, so we offer better service at a lower total cost.
• Growth: you secure reliable, flexible warehouse capacity that scales as our volumes grow and our network changes.
• Accessibility for the many people: by making the supply chain more affordable and more available, you help bring IKEA within reach of even more people.

This is a full-time role based in our office in Port Klang, Malaysia, reporting to the Business Development Manager, Contract Logistics.

Qualification

• Lead commercial activities and negotiations, securing competitive agreements aligned with our business plans.
• Build and maintain a strong portfolio of logistics service providers, ensuring alignment with long-term business needs.
• Take overall responsibility for implementing new solutions together with the team, ensuring a smooth start-up, and steer day-to-day performance so that service providers consistently deliver against KPIs on cost, quality, lead time and utilisation.
• Drive continuous development of both the business and service providers, embracing innovation and future-focused solutions.
• Identify and act on new business opportunities, participate in tenders, and create conditions for cost optimisation and sustainable growth.
• Stay ahead of the market: monitor industry trends, cost drivers, and legal frameworks; share insights and turn them into action.
• Develop and implement annual action plans with service providers to achieve strategic objectives and measurable results.
• Ensure compliance with agreements, IWAY standards and Supply Chain Security requirements, and internal processes and ways of working.
• Represent IKEA as a trusted business partner, always acting with a value- and fact-based approach.

We are looking for someone who combines expertise, curiosity and a strong business mindset:

• Solid knowledge of logistics, including contract logistics, warehousing, and distribution with a clear understanding of warehousing’s role, cost structure and key drivers in the supply chain.
• Strong awareness of market conditions and cost drivers in South and Southeast Asia.
• Proven ability to optimise supply chain costs and deliver value, supported by excellent negotiation skills.
• Comfortable using data analytics and finance to drive business decisions and improvements through facts and insights.
• Legal knowledge related to logistics and warehousing agreements.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills and ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional, international environments.
• Self-driven and highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and act as a change driver.
• University degree in logistics, economics, or business administration, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• Proficiency in tools such as Excel, Power BI and PowerPoint.
• Experience with IKEA Supply Chain and leading cross-functional, cross-cultural initiatives is a plus.

More Information

Why Join Us

We believe in you.You will lead your assignment in a diverse team, partnering with world-class service providers and driving continuous improvement in logistics.We grow with you.In regular conversations with your manager, you can explore your development and career opportunities, and we will support you on the way. We embrace making mistakes and learning from them. For us at IKEA, this is the best way forward.We develop together. We listen, build strong relationships, and help our partners grow to their full potential.