Drawing upon my extensive background in leading complex product development projects for the retail environment and in bringing these products to the market successfully, I made the career choice to become an independent consultant. In this capacity I offer my expertise as a both a hands-on project manager and as a strong conceptual and strategic consultant for product development- and innovation projects. My specialization lies in helping manufacturing companies, whether B2B or B2C, in translating market needs or client requirements into profitable products and innovative value adding services. And vice versa, I assist companies that see market opportunities for new products, wanting to outsource development and/or production, in managing the development- and tender process and in achieving market optimum conditions. Whether you require end to end project management for a complete project from start to finish or advice in specific project phases, my versatile skill set allows me to tailor my services to your precise needs.Furthermore, I offer interim management support, particularly in the realm of Research and Development (R&D), for companies that seek to professionalize their in-house development departments or for companies that are facing organizational change challenges often encountered when bringing new products to the market. If you have an interesting opportunity and want to engage in a thoughtful conversation, I invite you to connect for a (digital) cup of coffee. Areas of work:- Product development managing projecs from ideation through value engineering to finished product- Innovation realization bringing new products to market succesfully- Management support & coaching interim (R&D) management and organizational change consultancy

After a restructuring of the formerly family-owned Alrec Group in 2018, I was asked to take the responsibility for all the Design and Product development efforts for the entire Alrec International organization, with a focus on creating new engaging interactive shopper experiences by integrating tailormade electronics and innovative Tech-solutions. In this new role I led the international Design- and Engineering teams in NL, PL & UK and together with a newly formed Tech-team I expanded Alrec's technical and electronic product portfolio and successfully supported Sales and Project Management in bringing these innovations to market. Areas of work:- Shopper experience concepts- 3D-design & digital content- Value engineering & development- Electronic and Tech integrationAccomplishments:- As a successful supervisor of Design (8-10fte), Engineering (6fte) and Tech (4fte), I played a key role at Alrec in winning numerous international business tenders for multiple global AAA clients, based on delivering Best Value for our clients. - I was leading in the ideation of interactive Shopper Experiences and in presenting these to new and existing clients, resulting in the successful implementation of several innovative in-store product presentations, - I played a pivotal role in the conception and development of new electronic solutions, such as the innovative modular toolkit (Alrec Connect) that allows various interactive experiences to be made and kept up-to-date at low cost and with a high speed to market. - I was leading in setting up Alec’s new Tech-team and establishing the ways of working with regard to reliably integrating tech components in the fast-paced development process of new retail fixtures. - Furthermore, I was a key contributor in enhancing Alrec’s online client portal / 3D-shop-planner to allow clients to allocate both Alrec fixtures and their own products to individual store locations and thus track and manage all their deployed assets at retail.

As a seasoned Manager of Product development at Alrec Nederland BV, I have amassed 15+ years of experience in guiding Design and Engineering and in day-to-day steering and optimizing the organization of Project management of the development projects. In 2012 my role was extended to include the responsibility for the order coordination and with that I oversaw the complete Operations w.r.t. budget and timing of projects, from the initial cost calculations and plannings up until the quality and timing of production, resulting in hundreds of profitable orders per year. Areas of work: - Concept development & 3D-Design - Product development and Value engineering- Prototyping & First-off review- Project management (responsible for budget, quality and lead times) - Order preparation & Purchasing Accomplishments: - As a strong leader, I have effectively managed multidisciplinary teams of designers (5fte), engineers (3-5fte), project managers and order-coordinators (10-12fte) and prototypers (5fte) in the successful development and realization of numerous pan-European retail furniture projects. I was a key-contributor in determining the strategy to win projects from competitors and in steering the teams on the profitability of orders. - I played a crucial strategic role in Alrec’s management team resulting in the transformation of Alrec's product portfolio, shifting the focus from primarily simple Sign and Display products to include modular shopfitting furniture and advanced electronic displays. - By applying the methodologies of Continuous Improvement, I further optimized the organization structure and processes (including the cooperation with the production facility in Poland) and ensured the organization could continue meeting changing market requirements. I also played a significant role in optimizing the manufacturing process of recurring production programs, resulting in increased profitability for Alrec as well as improved service levels for clients.

In 2003 I returned to work in the retail industry at Alrec, a leading manufacturer of retail fixtures for large international AAA-brands, where I steered the entire product development organization, from contract-winning creative designs to fully developed and value-engineered prototypes that have subsequently been successfully produced and delivered.Areas of work:- See Alrec 2012- 2018 (except for Order preparation & Purchasing)Accomplishments:- I worked closely with Sales and Business development to expand Alrec's small client base to a well-balanced and diverse client portfolio. In these efforts, I successfully served as a client facing project team leader for multiple, high-value retail fixture projects for prestigious clients such as Philip Morris, Kawasaki, PlayStation, Bose, Samsonite, Nespresso and many more.- I successfully deployed a new lean team-organization structure that blended the client-centric approach and flexibility of self-steering multifunctional teams with risk-management benefits and the optimal use of capacity of a departmental organization structure, shortening the development lead times and improving the quality of the output. - I implemented new time- and cost control systems incl. a new calculation methodology with a variable mark-up system depending on the type of project, resulting in an improved international competitive position and increased margin and profitability for Alrec.- Having a proven track record in concepting Best Value for Money designs and in clever cost-effective engineering myself, I established an in-house engineering department focused on value engineering and modularity, resulting in products that offered clients increased flexibility at lower costs, whilst improving engineering lead times and quality. - I concepted and assisted in the deployment of new digital tools (e.g. online 3D-shop configurator) to facilitate order consolidation and stock- and roll-out management of complex pan-European projects.

As a commercial Project manager I led design & development projects, serving as the main client contact and translating client requirements into briefings for the development, including determining project goals and providing design direction. I was very skilled in managing client expectations, by monitoring progress and overseeing results and matching them to the client’s requirements. Furthermore, I supported the MD and other commercial project managers in business development, with active acquisition to prospects and pitching new design projects to existing clients. Areas of work: - Design consultancy, creating & quoting design project proposals- Project management & managing client relations - Acquisition / pitches to existing clients and prospectsAccomplishments:- Creating new project proposals for prospects and existing clients, based on a phased approach and including planning and deliverables per phase. I managed running design projects and assisted in the planning of the INDES’s resources by setting priorities, planning project results and matching these to the agreed phased results with the client, thereby satisfactorily managing the financial results of each project. - I played a significant role in finding prospects and creating presentations for new acquisitions and pitches. As an example: after winning a small project for an existing client, I successfully pitched a proposal for a complete design review of their entire product portfolio, resulting in a sizable project for INDES to create and develop a new visual product DNA for the complete range of products, fitting the client’s innovative market identity.

After being approached by the Managing Director after I had left Tchai less than a year before, I returned to Tchai to steer the entire product development organization from the first design phase to the coordination of all production orders. Whilst co-working with designers, engineers, project managers and Purchasing in winning large projects, I professionalized the design- and engineering departments and completely restructured the project- and order management and purchasing organization, resulting into increased turnover and profitability.Areas of work: - Creative Concept Design- Technical product development & Engineering- Prototyping and First offs- Project Management (controlling cost calculation, product quality and project planning)- Order Coordination & PurchasingAccomplishments- I was the initiator in the introduction of a new project management organization structure in which I successfully integrated Order preparation in the development team and thereby ensured improved project cost- and timeline control, resulting in increased profitability of projects, better timeline management and reduction of costs related to manufacturing mistakes. - I played a crucial role in redefining all job descriptions with clearly divided responsibilities, in the training of people in new job responsibilities and in introducing a new job evaluation system to ensure continuous improvement in job performance. - I was a vital member of the implementation team of Visual Manufacturing, the ERP tool Tchai had selected to structure their purchasing and production. I devised the main ways of working, ensured proper authorization levels, implemented controls and reports and embedded a quality management system, enabling real time cost insights and instant evaluation after completion of manufacturing (incl. root cause insight in case of deviations, serving as the basis for continuous improvement of both calculation- and production methodology.)

At ISC I was able to fulfill my ambition to be able to steer complete product development projects from start to finish. Even though I only worked at ISC for a short time, I successfully designed and engineered several new products for the range of standard products of ISC and I ensured all products were ready for production, including supplier selection for outsourced components and quality control tools. Areas of work included: - Design new standard retail fixtures and extending the range of standard check-out furniture- Technical Product Development and prototyping - Supplier selection and production preparation of the new standard fixtures

After HMG decided to stop their European efforts I started at Tchai International as the Head of Design, steering a small team of 3 designers in creating design proposals for in-store materials for various well-known European brands and in the preliminary engineering of these designs for costing purposes. With the team we won numerous design pitches based on our attractive eye-catching designs, where I personally ensured the designs were focused on (and delivered) great Value for Money for our clients.Areas of work included: - Creative concept development / 3D visualization- Preliminary technical development

I started my career as a designer for HMG Europe, the European headquarters of a leading US-based retail consultancy firm, and quickly was promoted to Head of Design. I developed numerous displays and store fixtures, aimed at improving the product presentation and incorporating benefits for the retailer to ensure retailers would adopt the solutions. In addition to creating various successful designs, I had an important role in conducting market research with regard to mapping the wishes and requirements of the retail organizations and shopkeepers.In a small organization I worked as a designer, but also assisted hands-on in engineering and outsourcing to various manufacturers and I acquired extensive practical know-how by building prototypes myself and by assisting with installations in-store. Areas of work: - Market research – creation of program of requirements - Creative concept development / 3D visualization- Preliminary technical development - Building proof-of-principle prototypes