Lovisa af Ekenstam
Stockholm
Summary
Grow business through creativity, clarity, and energy.
My passion is to set great ideas into action and empower people. I have worked within the retail and fashion industry over 15 years both in Sweden and in the US. My professional skills are within Business management, Assortment building, Business development and Leading people in transformation. I have a proven record to successfully lead teams to create meaningful business growth in a creative and inclusive environment. As a leader I have the customer and purpose in focus, always with a curios and flexible mindset. How you do things is as important for me as what you do and I love to have fun while doing it.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Section Manager
H&M
09.2021 - Current
- Small accessories department, Ladies assortment
- Accountable for setting a global assortment strategy that generates meaningful growth, profitability and customer value in the short and long term, both for ecommerce and physical store
- Responsible for the end-to-end strategy that runs from design, purchasing, to production and regions
- Secure the Customer focus and Customer offer
- Staff responsible for a team of 20, including roles such as designers, product developers and planners
- Responsible to lead the team through business and organizational change with an agile mindset.
- Improved team efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing effective communication strategies.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify needs, establish goals, and develop action plans for success.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting teamwork, open communication, and recognition of individual achievements.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to achieve company objectives and improve overall performance.
Global Section Manager
H&M
03.2020 - 10.2020
- Mama and maternity department, Ladies Assortment
Global Senior Buyer Divided
H&M
11.2018 - 11.2019
- Blouse and dresses, Divided assortment
- The global buyer set the strategies both long term and short term with focus on creating growth and profitability
- By analyzing sales and with customer insight I'm responsible for product development, securing the right assortment at the right time for the customer
- Overall planning, timeline and best way of working together with the product team and production office
- Informal leadership by coaching and guiding junior buyers.
Global Collections Manager
& Other Stories
11.2016 - 11.2018
- New business development and management for &other stories in Los Angeles
- Moved with a small group of people from HM group to define and developed new concepts for &other stories LA atelier.
Global Senior Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
08.2012 - 10.2016
- Ladies swimwear and beach wear
Global Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
08.2011 - 07.2012
- Socks and Tights
Global Junior Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
01.2011 - 07.2011
- Assistant buyer for Sock and Tights
- Optimizing sales and region-specific actions
- Order placement and follow up
- Drive and secure sample handling.
- Conducted market research to stay informed about industry trends, new products, and competitor strategies.
Senior Buyer
Gina Tricot AB
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Manage and lead the trend and party wear department with a number of 12 persons
- Ultimately responsible for the collection customer and presentation
- Have an overall view on and put methods in place for planning the collection together with marketing and design department
- Set the visual goal and make a collection and activity plan for the collection
- Responsible for the best assortment and the total budget for whole department
- Working directly suppliers and production in Europe and Far East, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Delhi.
- Achieved cost savings by implementing strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.
Sales Attendant
Nordiska Kompaniet
08.1999 - 08.2008
- Sales person part time for different stores at Nordiska kompaniet.
Sales Manager
Diesel
11.2000 - 08.2001
- Leading sales team in the store
- Trains, coaches and gives feedback to sales representatives
- Responsible for manage the set selling goals and actively work in a commercial way to maximize the selling
- Plan and implements all store campaigns and activities.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
The Swedish School of Textiles
Borås University 01.2009
Bachelor of Science - Textile management
Amsterdam Fashion Institute
Amsterdam 01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - History of art
Lunds Universitet
Lund 01.2005
Skills
- Business strategy
- Team Leadership
- Product development
- Buying and negotiations
- Communication
Languages
Swedish
Native language
English
Advanced
C1
French
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
Global Section Manager
H&M
09.2021 - Current
Global Section Manager
H&M
03.2020 - 10.2020
Global Senior Buyer Divided
H&M
11.2018 - 11.2019
Global Collections Manager
& Other Stories
11.2016 - 11.2018
Global Senior Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
08.2012 - 10.2016
Global Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
08.2011 - 07.2012
Global Junior Buyer Ladies Assortment
H&M
01.2011 - 07.2011
Senior Buyer
Gina Tricot AB
01.2008 - 01.2010
Sales Manager
Diesel
11.2000 - 08.2001
Sales Attendant
Nordiska Kompaniet
08.1999 - 08.2008
Bachelor of Science - Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
The Swedish School of Textiles
Bachelor of Science - Textile management
Amsterdam Fashion Institute
Bachelor of Arts - History of art
Lunds Universitet
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