Business Navigation Leader, IKEA Kuching

IKEA Gruppe; Kuching; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

IKEA Kuching is seeking a highly analytical Business Navigation Leader to drive end-to-end business performance, planning, forecasting, and governance. You will provide strategic leadership to store management and align initiatives with profitability and sustainable growth.

You will collaborate across Commercial, Operations, and Finance to enable fact-based decisions, establish performance frameworks, and guide transformational improvements for East Malaysia.

Qualifications

• Experience leading business planning and performance management in a complex environment.
• Strong analytical capabilities and translating data into actionable decisions.
• Excellent financial acumen with budgeting, forecasting, and profitability management.
• Proven stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Business Navigation function and partner with store leadership to drive performance.
• Oversee annual business planning, forecasting, and KPI governance.
• Develop dashboards and insights to support strategic decisions.
• Drive productivity, profitability, and cost-efficiency across functions.

Skills

Business Navigation

Finance

Performance Management

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Job description

Company description

The IKEA 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 products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. We operate in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand – and have an ambitious expansion plan to bring a little bit of Sweden to new markets in the region. We are part of the Ikano Group of companies and the only IKEA franchisee owned by the Kamprad family that founded IKEA.

We also develop, own and operate Shopping Centres that are anchored by IKEA and create walkable communities by including residential, office and other types of real estate in our development plans.

We work towards making sustainability a natural part of our everyday work. We are active in our communities, driving and supporting social initiatives that benefit children, women, and the environment.

Job description

At IKEA, we believe great business decisions are built on deep customer insights, strong financial foundations, and a clear understanding of performance. As we establish IKEA Kuching as the home furnishing destination for East Malaysia, we are looking for a highly analytical, business-minded, and influential Business Navigation Leader to join our leadership team.

Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Business Navigation Leader will be responsible for theend-to-end business performance management of IKEA Kuching, providing strategic and operational leadership across business planning, performance management, financial steering, forecasting, business processes, governance, and decision support.

This is a critical leadership role that will help shape the future growth and profitability of IKEA Kuching.

Your Assignment

• Lead the Business Navigation function and act as a trusted business partner to the Store Manager, Commercial Manager and Operations Manager.
• Drive the annual business plan, long-term growth strategy, forecasting, and performance follow-up processes.
• Ensure the business is managed through fact-based decision-making and actionable insights.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, investment evaluations, and business performance reviews.
• Utilise performance dashboards.
• Establish clear performance measurement frameworks and KPIs by utilising company business dashboards.
• Analyse customer, commercial, operational, and financial performance to identify growth opportunities and business risks.
• Facilitate business reviews and ensure alignment between strategic ambitions and operational execution.
• Drive productivity, profitability, and cost-efficiency initiatives across all business functions.
• Lead and continuously improve total business processes, governance structures, and ways of working.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, risk management requirements, and business governance standards.
• Support leaders in translating business goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

Scope of Responsibility

The Business Navigation Leader will oversee and coordinate the total business processes of IKEA Kuching, including:

• Business Planning & Strategy
• Financial Steering & Performance Management
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Business Analytics & Insights
• KPI Management & Reporting
• Governance & Compliance
• Risk Management & Internal Controls
• Productivity & Efficiency Improvement
• Staff Planning Oversight
• Investment & Business Case Evaluation
• Cross-functional Business Development Initiatives

Qualification

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has

• Strong experience in Business Navigation, Finance, Business Performance, Commercial Planning, Strategy, or related leadership roles.
• Proven ability to lead business planning and performance management in a complex environment.
• Strong analytical capabilities and the ability to translate data into business actions.
• Excellent financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and profitability management.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to work across multiple functions and build strong partnerships with leaders.
• Experience leading business transformation, process improvement, and governance initiatives.
• A proactive mindset with the courage to challenge and support business decisions constructively.
• Passion for retail, customer-centric business development, and sustainable growth.

More Information

Why Join IKEA Kuching?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in building IKEA’s future in East Malaysia. As the Business Navigation Leader, you will influence strategic decisions, shape business priorities, and help create a high-performing organisation that delivers growth, profitability, and a better experience for customers and co-workers alike.

Together We Will

• Build a strong and sustainable business for East Malaysia.
• Drive profitable growth through informed business decisions.
• Create transparency and accountability through clear performance management.
• Improve business processes and operational excellence.
• Enable leaders to make smarter, faster, and more customer-focused decisions.

If you are passionate about business performance, strategy, analytics, and helping leaders turn ambitions into results, we would love to hear from you.