Profile

​

Multicultural and multilingual, Jens is passionate about home manufacturing and retail and how to create exciting retail brands.

 

Outstanding communications skills, written and spoken, combined with hands-on leadership style, enable me to build and develop strong dedicated teams throughout the retail organisation. Curious and open minded, Jens is skilled at leading people and keeping projects organized and on target.

​

Track record for building and managing businesses internationally, with expertise in strategy, brand development, operations, and change management.

• History of successful market development for various brands through international and domestic growth; expertise in wholesale, retail, franchising, e-commerce, and licensing

• Experience in working with small and large companies, private and public, applying organic development as well as re-alignment and re-orientation strategies.

• As management consultant, designed and executed concepts for retail groups in the United States (Fortunoff, Crate&Barrel), Mexico (Grupo Axo), Chile/Peru/Colombia/Argentina (Falabella, Ripley), and more.​

​​

Experience

​

Global Brand Vision, Boston, USA / Frankfurt, Germany - Managing Director/CEO

2005 - Present

​

Management consultancy for home retailers, focusing on assortment and sourcing strategies, brand (re-)positioning, retail strategy, brand development, marketing (re-)launch, retail organisation.

​

Developed entirely new home retail concepts for some of South America’s largest retail groups, operating in culturally diverse environments. Responsible for the strategy and the implementation of radically different home retail concepts across several South American countries and for several demographic groups within each market.

​

Developed concept for the operation of the new concept applying proven change management concepts. Introduced e-learning and other productivity tools to develop and improve people’s skills working within the new structures.

​

Applied project management tools to make sure, goals were delivered within agreed time frames. Worked as coach one-on-one and in small groups with emerging leaderships and key stakeholders. Coordinated all communication within the Executive committee and all stakeholders using best practice and latest communication tools.

​

In the US, consulted home retailers like Fortunoff (New York) and Crate&Barrel (Chicago) on various development projects designed to enhance assortment strength, increase market share, and leverage concepts for international expansion.

​

In Europe, consulted with manufacturing brands to (re-) position their assortment, develop new sales and marketing channels, and enhance operational effectiveness.

​

Crate&Barrel, Chicago, United States - Executive Director

2007-2009

​

In addition to leading the GBV consultancy, Jens joined Crate&Barrel as Executive Director. Assisted the brand in the critical transition from founder member to management-run business; new strategy development for chain of retail stores and e-commerce; new growth through new brand development, expansion through acquisitions, international expansion through franchise and own stores. Worked closely with Executive team and several cross- functional teams within the organisation to achieve set goals.

​

Schieder Holding, Herford, Germany - Divisional Managing Director

2003 - 2005

​

Re-structuring and re-orientation of various brands of a diversified furniture business including production sites, product line management, distribution re-alignment, and leadership renewal. Worked closely with management of factories and distribution units to develop new strategies and create consensus on organisational changes both in structure and in skills.

​

Alno Kitchens, United Kingdom - Managing Director UK and Eire

1999-2004

​

Re-orientation of existing marketing and distribution strategies, new market development (Eire), successful new brand launches and development. Introduced new team structures and and new key performance matrix within both the retail and contract market division. Set up key strategic alliances with business partners, resulting in doubling of turnover within 5 years.

​

Infinite Marketing, Racine, United States - CEO

1997 - 1999

​

Management consultancy focusing on market entry and market development strategy for European brands into the US/Canadian markets. Developed various strategies to open up the specialty retail and discount markets. Worked closely with key stakeholders in the market. Designed and executed marketing and PR strategies and developed a full organisation from logistics and warehousing, to administration, marketing and sales.

​

Authentics-artipresent, Holzgerlingen, Germany - Director of Exports

1993 - 1997

​

Development of international distribution strategy, marketing concepts, assortment strategy for
all international markets. Key account management and internal sales administration responsibility. Developed various sales strategies including wholesale, retail, license agreements worldwide.

​

Education

​

University of Reutlingen, Germany. — BA Business Studies.

Sponsored by the European Union, this course was designed as an international programme. Studies in the United Kingdom (6 months), France (12 months), Spain (6 months), Germany (24 months), and Italy (6 months). Thesis on the subject of cultural differences in international business.

​

Certification as Change Manager and Certified Business Coach.

​

Skills

​

In-depth knowledge of the home retail business in various cultural settings. Excellent at building and motivating teams to work towards defined goals. Self-motivated, with excellent communications and project management skills. Able to motivate and lead teams through difficult and challenging moments. Entrepreneurial mind-set, able to inspire excellence in others.

​

English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian fluent written and spoken.