Material Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IKEA is a global retail company with the vision to create a better everyday life for the many people.

Raw Material Area enables IKEA to influence responsible sourcing and business practices in the world. We secure accessibility of affordable raw material from responsibly managed sources through optimized supply chains and a positive social and environmental impact within and beyond our own needs.

In the Raw Material Area, we are responsible to:

• Lead the Raw Material agenda.
• Monitoring the raw material market in the context of IKEA, identify opportunities and risks developing IKEAs strategic direction for our main materials.
• Secure implementation of requirements and working methods, lead compliance verification when raw material industry competence is required.
• Own strategic messaging on raw material.
• Advocacy, ensuring a collaborative, transparent and fact-based dialogue to support industry transformation and policy decision.
• Understanding the raw material value chains, contribute to exploring new and better sourcing options. 
• Developing traceability systems.
• Secure 20 % of wood raw materials needs by own investments.
• Contribute with land-use competence to IKEAs overall climate agenda.

As a Raw Material Developer, you will secure development and deployment of relevant sourcing requirements and working methods for raw materials including capabilities for compliance in your area of responsibility. Together with relevant stakeholders, you will secure implementation of the strategic direction for sustainable, affordable, and accessible raw materials. You will lead the market intelligence work for forestry products in your region by monitoring the market within the context of IKEA. You will serve as a competence center for forestry sector and forestry products market in the region and/or area of responsibility.

We believe you have strong leadership and coaching abilities. You can organize and work independently being member of the team. Being analytical, structured and methodical with good time management and drive to meet deadlines. You are honest with high integrity.

We believe that you have:

• Passion and knowledge about forestry and other land use systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Agribusiness or related field is required, masters degree is preferred.
• Experience of working in forestry and wood processing industry and knowledge of sustainable forest management, timber trade and/or wood product supply chain.
• Knowledge of FSC: system, its stakeholders, Standards for Chain of custody and good understanding of FSC forest management and controlled wood certification; similar knowledge about PEFC is a plus.
• Knowledge of typical furniture value chain organization and processes, understanding of cost drivers across forest product value chain.
• Good understanding of national legislation in forestry and other land use related areas.
• Experience of engaging in dialogue with government, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of recycled wood market and value chain will be as additional advantage.
• Ability of taking leadership and managing projects to achieve results.
• Ability to handle multiple and changing priorities/deadlines and moderate stress.
• Ability to cope with extensive domestic and international travel.
• Ability to work independently and in a team and to stay motivated with a "hands on" approach. 
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively in English; Lithuanian or Latvian will be as an advantage.

This role will be based in Kaunas, Lithuania. The last day to send your application is 26th of July 2026. Please note we will continuously look at applications, thus make sure to show us your interest in the role as soon as possible. We are interviewing continuously and will close the advert when we find the right candidate. So don't hesitate to apply today. 
If you have questions about the position, please contact the hiring manager Tomasz Pawlak at [email protected]. If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact People & Culture Generalist Simona Jakutiene at [email protected].
Salary range for the position in Kaunas is 5300 - 7000 EUR/gross