Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Publications
Awards
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Niels Chr. Schou

Niels Chr. Schou

Domsten,M

Summary

Commercially driven executive with extensive experience in global sales and business strategy. Achieved 35% market share growth through strategic initiatives and effective negotiation. Expertise in team leadership and analytical skills, enhancing workflows and driving innovation for sustained success.

Overview

39
39
years of professional experience

Work History

General Manager

Beontag
Höganäs
01.2024 - Current
  • Held full P&L ownership across four European sites, driving efficiency and profitability.
  • Led commercial negotiations with key clients, managing CapEx and OpEx to ensure sustainable growth.
  • Contributed to strategic decision-making as a member of Beontag's Global Leadership Team.
  • Optimized sourcing strategies while delivering market insights to R&D, fostering innovation.
  • Executed a fast-paced footprint reduction strategy to enhance EBITDA in a challenging market.

Commercial Director

Beontag
04.2023 - 01.2024
  • Directed commercial teams to advance Scandstick/Beontag's PSL business across Europe.
  • Collaborated with Beontag's global units to enhance integrated product identification solutions.
  • Executed strategy targeting 15% CAGR growth in EMEA with detailed country-specific initiatives.
  • Conducted thorough analysis of core product needs per sales region to inform strategy.

Vacant Sales Director

Avery Dennison Marketing
02.2023 - 04.2023
  • Transitioned out of Avery Dennison Marketing following organizational restructuring as Director of Marketing Excellence.
  • Expressed gratitude for 10 years of collaboration with dedicated customers, colleagues, and partners.
  • Closed chapter with fond memories while anticipating new opportunities and challenges ahead.

Director Marketing Programs

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
07.2022 - 01.2023
  • Driving new projects, business ventures, & startups within Label & Packaging.

Director Marketing Excellence

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
08.2021 - 07.2022
  • Led Label & Packaging division team in Sustainability, Compliance, Communication, Innovation, and Operational Excellence.
  • Developed new team structure that optimized workflows and generated significant time savings.
  • Designed and executed post-COVID communication strategy to enhance market engagement.
  • Evolved sustainability strategy to meet changing demands, integrating measurable KPIs into reporting.
  • Increased sustainability presence through interviews, articles, and conference speaking engagements.

Sales Director Northern Europe and Strategic Initiatives EMENA

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
01.2021 - 08.2021
  • Drove strategic initiatives across EMENA to enhance market positioning and drive growth.
  • Held full P&L responsibility for Label & Packaging Materials in Northern Region.
  • Provided operational and commercial leadership to optimize team performance.
  • Executed balanced price and volume strategy to achieve +35% market share while maintaining KPI-set ASP and margin levels.

Director Sales Excellence EU/Sales Director Northern EU

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
07.2017 - 01.2021
  • Directed European Customer Service and Sales Excellence teams to achieve performance improvements.
  • Represented European Sales Leadership in global projects, enhancing cross-functional collaboration.
  • Developed a self-assessment competency mapping tool, boosting sales performance metrics.
  • Revitalized Salesforce.com adoption, streamlining sales processes for increased efficiency.
  • Implemented multiple sales enhancement tools to optimize execution and operational effectiveness.

Sales Director Northern Europe

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
04.2016 - 01.2021
  • Managed full P&L for Northern Europe, encompassing UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
  • Led team of over 30 individuals through three Country Managers and one Customer Service Manager.
  • Contributed to Executive European Sales leadership team, influencing strategic direction.

Country Manager Nordic

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
01.2013 - 04.2016
  • Managed and expanded 4th largest Pan-European account as Country Manager for Nordic & Global KAM.
  • Led customer service operations in Copenhagen while directing sales initiatives across the region.
  • Consistently achieved core KPIs, fostering business growth and enhancing customer satisfaction.
  • Traveled extensively to support direct sales efforts and facilitate sales team development.

Country General Manager

Bemis Company, Inc.
08.2010 - 12.2012
  • Held P&L responsibility for Bemis Europe's Flexible Packaging operations in Nordic region.
  • Directed regional sales managers and technicians to enhance growth and market penetration.
  • Served as primary liaison between Bemis production sites and Nordic market for flexible packaging.
  • Oversaw introduction and promotion of European portfolio, focusing on food industry applications.
  • Managed strategic accounts as key account manager for major customers in region.

Sales and Marketing Director

Promens Food Packaging
Skanderborg
03.2003 - 07.2010
  • Led sales and marketing initiatives for European food and beverage segment, focusing on Nordic dairy industry.
  • Served as International Key Account Manager for largest multinational customers.
  • Chaired R&D and NPD projects to drive product innovation and industry advancement.
  • Conducted comprehensive market analysis on trends, products, and industry developments.
  • Spearheaded customer mapping and strategic account management processes.
  • Managed cross-sector projects across European divisions, including NPD, CRM, and website optimization.
  • Oversaw operations at five production sites within rigid plastics industry as management team member.
  • Simultaneously served as Customer Service Manager, handling production and procurement planning.

Product Manager

RanTek A/S
Randers
01.2002 - 01.2003
  • Managed launch of new antivirus platform in Danish market, achieving significant market penetration.
  • Directed sales efforts to TOP 100 IT industry leaders in Denmark.
  • Trained distributors on unique selling propositions and effective sales techniques.

Account Manager

Semco Telecom
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • Spearheaded market launch of new antivirus platform in Denmark.
  • Managed direct sales to Top 100 IT industry leaders in Denmark.
  • Trained distributors on unique selling points and advanced sales techniques.

Account Manager

DanDial Networks
01.2002 - 12.2002
  • Account manager for PABX phone systems and provider/cabling services.
  • BtB sales to industry partners

Consultant

Codan Forsikring
01.1998 - 12.2000
  • Delivered sales and advisory services to private consumers during completion of two-year insurer training program centered on insurance and legislation.

Store Manager

Fona
01.1995 - 12.1998
  • Manager in an electronics warehouse.
  • P&L responsible for all operations, and a staff of 8 people.
  • Part of the company's product advisory board.

WareHouse Manager

Merlin
01.1993 - 12.1995
  • Manager in an electronics warehouse.
  • P&L responsible for all operations, and a staff of 9 people.

Sales Assistent

FONA Radio
08.1986 - 08.1993

Education

mini-MBA - Sustainability Management

Aros Business Academy
Denmark
03.2022

Summerschool - Specialiserede salgs-, merchandising- og marketingsfunktioner

Copenhagen Business School
Copenhagen
07-2020

Master's Degree - pre-MBA

Business Institute Denmark
12.2005

trade student - Commercial and trade

Århus Købmandsskole
Denmark
12.1984

Elementary school student - County school

Soendervangskolen
12.1983

Skills

  • Global business strategy
  • P&L and financial management
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Commercial negotiation
  • Capital and operational expenditure management
  • Sales strategy development
  • Analytical skills
  • Team leadership
  • Vendor relationship management

Publications

  • Panelist AWA conference September 2025 "Future of European Labeling industry"
  • Article on Rigid packaging for yellow fats, http://www.e-pages.dk/danskespecialmedier/8/16
  • CombiPac supports Promens European ambitions, Newsletter
  • Sustainability brochure, Brochure
  • Press Release, Press Release

Awards

  • Avery Dennison Global Leadership Sales Excellence Award, 01/01/14
  • Leadership Excellence for Sustainability, 01/01/14

Languages

Danish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
German
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Swedish
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2

Timeline

General Manager

Beontag
01.2024 - Current

Commercial Director

Beontag
04.2023 - 01.2024

Vacant Sales Director

Avery Dennison Marketing
02.2023 - 04.2023

Director Marketing Programs

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
07.2022 - 01.2023

Director Marketing Excellence

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
08.2021 - 07.2022

Sales Director Northern Europe and Strategic Initiatives EMENA

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
01.2021 - 08.2021

Director Sales Excellence EU/Sales Director Northern EU

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
07.2017 - 01.2021

Sales Director Northern Europe

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
04.2016 - 01.2021

Country Manager Nordic

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
01.2013 - 04.2016

Country General Manager

Bemis Company, Inc.
08.2010 - 12.2012

Sales and Marketing Director

Promens Food Packaging
03.2003 - 07.2010

Product Manager

RanTek A/S
01.2002 - 01.2003

Account Manager

DanDial Networks
01.2002 - 12.2002

Account Manager

Semco Telecom
01.2001 - 01.2003

Consultant

Codan Forsikring
01.1998 - 12.2000

Store Manager

Fona
01.1995 - 12.1998

WareHouse Manager

Merlin
01.1993 - 12.1995

Sales Assistent

FONA Radio
08.1986 - 08.1993

mini-MBA - Sustainability Management

Aros Business Academy

Summerschool - Specialiserede salgs-, merchandising- og marketingsfunktioner

Copenhagen Business School

Master's Degree - pre-MBA

Business Institute Denmark

trade student - Commercial and trade

Århus Købmandsskole

Elementary school student - County school

Soendervangskolen
Niels Chr. Schou