Graphic Design Specialist (Lead) - IKEA

Job description / Role

Graphic Design Specialist (Lead) - IKEA - Dubai

One of the companies bearing Al-Futtaim name is IKEA.

IKEA is the world's largest home furnishings store, founded in Sweden over 60 years ago. Our operations around the world are constantly increasing with new stores and markets added to the success story.

At IKEA not only our furniture is down to earth, straightforward and inspiring, but so is our work ethics. Despite being the leading home furnishing retail franchisee across the world, we at IKEA still give you the room to grow! At IKEA "creating a better everyday life for the many" isn't only our vision, it's our way of life!

About the Role:
- To contribute to positioning the IKEA store as the Leader in life at home in our market in order to maximise sales and long-term profitability. I do this by securing the effective implementation of global solutions using my knowledge of peoples life at home and consumer buying behaviour in my market and my graphic communication design skills to adapt these to meet our national needs. I am responsible for ensuring we communicate and visualise the uniqueness of the IKEA Brand, inside and outside the IKEA store to strengthen the IKEA brand and distance us from the competition by: communicating the IKEA Concept, our Swedish roots and unique services enabling the IKEA mechanical sales system, which is a prerequisite to fulfill the IKEA Business idea/promise of the store and for customers to buy supporting sales steering to commercial priorities.
- To work with the Service Office (SO) Communication & Interior Design (Com&In) colleagues and other functions to secure the alignment of our stores with global and national priorities within the assigned areas of responsibility. To lead and inspire the store Graphic Communication Leaders to develop and implement store communication that secures one IKEA identity through a consistent graphic identity.

REGIONAL SUPPORT:
- Actively support the regional Com&In manager in implementing the country business plan and the country Com&In plan to support the optimisation of sales and our long-term growth by:
- Support the stores to ensure the uniqueness of the IKEA Brand identity in range presentation and store communication in order to distance us from the competition. Taking ownership for how we are working with store communication in my country.
- Using store communication to strength the connection between life at home, the needs of people living in our market and the solutions we show in all store media.
- Using knowledge of the IKEA Concept, strategic messages and the IKEA copy and visual identity to plan, create and communicate to the stores graphic solutions that support the commercial priorities and facilitate the mechanical sales system.
- Working with SO Com&In colleagues, Sales leaders, In-store Logistics and other SO functions to agree and focus on our national priorities. Together developing solutions that present and communicate the IKEA product range in a way that reflects its width and depth and strengthens our low-price profile on all levels.
- To working closely with the Com&In country activity leader, country marketing department colleagues and other SO colleagues to ensure the country commercial calendar messages are communicated in a clear, consistent and inspiring way, supporting commercial priorities and reflecting seasonality.
- To work with the SO commercial team and store Com&In managers to ensure they have a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the effective application of the store layout as a commercial tool, range presentation and store communication give us a competitive advantage.
- Working with SO Com&In colleagues and the commercial team to plan and implement new stores and rebuilds to secure that the IKEA Concept reflects our local market needs. STORE SUPPORT Work with the store graphic communications leaders to develop and implement store communication to meet and exceed visitor's expectations on the IKEA shopping and buying experience, strengthen the uniqueness of the IKEA product range, graphic identity and tone of voice.
- Demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of peoples needs and wants, their living situations and living conditions and consumer buying behaviour in my national market and I am inquisitive to find out more.
- To use graphic communication skills and this knowledge to provide relevant graphic communication to secure one IKEA identity.
- Analyse the IKEA Customer Satisfaction survey, IKEA Brand Capital and other visitor feedback and use these insights to work with the store Com&In teams to improve the experience of our visitors and convert them into satisfied customers.
- Work with the SO Com&In colleagues and other SO functions to provide the store graphic communication leaders with specific, relevant support which enables the stores and other IKEA units
- Working with the country visual merchandise leader, country activity leader and the country interior design leader to ensure consistency in how we communicate throughout our stores.
- Supporting the stores to ensure the implementation of store communication using the layout to create optimal visual impact, a good overview and support our commercial priorities.
- Working with my SO Com&In colleagues to ensure that all we communicate to the stores is consistent, understandable and cost-effective for them to implement.
- Work to key performance indicators (KPIs) Evaluate the return on investment (quantitative and qualitative) of any country graphic communication initiatives to ensure value for money and the achievement of our stated objectives. Ensure all graphic communication initiatives grow our business and support sustained long-term profitability.

COACHING:
- Sharing good ideas and coaching our store graphic communication leaders to improve their competence.
- Support and coach the store graphic communication leaders to secure that our graphic communication is prioritized, placed correctly, consistent and understandable, clear and uncluttered with the customer in focus.
- Ability to coach and educate SO Com&In colleagues, other functions and our store graphic communications leaders on how to work with manuals, global directions and tools within my area of responsibility.

PROJECTS:
- Support with the regional expansion plans whenever necessary including commercial planning, build up and opening phases. Supporting with current ways of working and business practices.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:
- has thorough knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the Communication & Interior Design department
- has a passion for interior design, home furnishings and design

Minimum Experience:
- 5 years in a similar role.
- Ideally knowledge of the IKEA Concept

Job-Specific Skills:
- understands customer buying behaviour and buying decisions
- knows the competition on the local market
- has experience in incorporating the commercial calendar into the Communication & Interior Design action plan
- has thorough knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a Country Graphic Communication Leader
- perfect knowledge of Adobe creative suite CS6 for both Mac and PC

Behavioural Competencies:
- Interpersonal Skills, Business Acumen, Problem Solving, Confident, Leadership Skills and Strategic Thinking.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.