Harri Saari

Harri Saari Email and Phone Number

Sales Director @ Fresh Servant Oy Ab
Helsinki, FI
Harri Saari's Location
Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland
About Harri Saari

I am energetic and inspiring leader loaded with strong natural born winning and competitive mind set. I have proven track record of success in diverse businesses including both domestic companies and international companies with matrix organizations. I adapt myself easily to new situations/ businesses. I process quickly complex business environments and build easily the big picture of the business including strategic guidelines and focus areas. As a practical hands on type of a person I convert smoothly the strategic framework into tangible KPI's and concrete actions across the organization. I smoothly utilize different market, customer, category and consumer insights in leading the daily business and capitalizing new potential ideas & concepts to inspire customers and add value to mutual business. I smoothly navigate across different functions inspiring and encouraging to work united towards common goals. I love to challenge and contribute the business. My internal flame is really burning when selling and presenting new ideas, concepts and solutions to convince people about the superiority of the solution I can offer to solve the challenge.I lead the daily business through my positive, sales driven and target oriented personality straight and consistently empowering and committing the organization to work as a one. I perceive quickly the areas for improvement and implement determinedly the needed changes by utilizing my change management and transformational leadership skills. I have a solid track record of making a step change in the business and get people involved and committed to make the change. Winning and success motivates me to continuously improve the performance and take challenges. I am inspired by challenges where I can in dynamic atmosphere utilize my analytic and structured approach to business to contribute the strategy, lead the execution with P/ L accountability and feed my passion to sell solutions, influence and convince people through open social interaction and genuine customer dialogue.Key areas to highlight my expertise are winning & competitive mind set, change management, sustainable growth, communication, inspiring leadership, team building & motivating, engaging organisation, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Business, P/ L accountability, international business, retail, Food Service, business strategy, channel strategy, customer strategy, portfolio strategy (brand extensions and line extensions), CRM, SOP, Innovations.

Harri Saari's Current Company Details
Fresh Servant Oy Ab

Fresh Servant Oy Ab

View
Sales Director
Helsinki, FI
Website:
fresh.fi
Employees:
135
Harri Saari Work Experience Details
  • Fresh Servant Oy Ab
    Sales Director
    Fresh Servant Oy Ab
    Helsinki, Fi
  • Kotivara Oy
    Commercial Director
    Kotivara Oy 2024 - Present
    Helsinki Metropolitan Area
    Kotivara Oy, a family owned finnish company in third generation, is the key player in cold cuts category in Finland and Sweden specialised in salami/ mettwurst and cold meat cuts products. I have P/ L accountability of leading the implementation of re-defined company strategy including all countries and all trade channels. My main objectives are to restructure and align the business processes, Develop the product portfolio in all channels, rejuvenate and strengthen the brand experience to enable sustainable growth in the long run.Member of management team and I report to CEO.
  • Myllyn Paras Oy
    Sales Director
    Myllyn Paras Oy 2018 - 2023
    Helsinki Area, Finland
    Myllyn Paras, part of Lantmännen group, is the key player in pasta, flour, flakes, frozen dough and bake-off categories in Finland with 60+ million turnover. I had P/ L accountability in Finland and Baltic. I made a clear step change in the business, including re-structuring the food service business model and channel strategy, replaced outsourced field sales in retail channel with own one, developed the product portfolio through numerous line extensions and especially extended the brand into new product categories to support company`s strong growth agenda. I also implemented a new planning and decision making processes to support new business strategy. My key responsibilities in this role was P/ L accountability, board relations, retail and food service channels, export, Baltic, creating growth strategy including channel strategies, sustainable growth, strategy implementation, change management and lead the change, SOP process development, key account development, field force development, field force CRM, team building and motivation, business innovations and development, Product portfolio development including product innovations, brand extensions (new categories) and line extensions, pricing strategy, customer contracts, customer strategy, subcontractor management.Member of management team and I reported to CEO. Leading the sales organization of 8 persons.Key achievements:- Annual sales growth in mill business +5-10%, clearly ahead of the market growth.- Strengthening market leader position in frozen dough category, grow and add value to the category.- Food service business growth clearly ahead of the market growth.- Myllyn Paras brand successfully launched into 5 new product categories and numerous launches in existing categories contributing 10% of the turnover.- Developing the co-operation between different functions to totally new level enabling agile and fast reaction to business and highly committed people in common objectives.
  • Oy Conaxess Trade Finland Ab
    Marketing Director
    Oy Conaxess Trade Finland Ab 2014 - 2017
    Finland
    Conaxess Trade Finland Oy, Part of Aurelius group, is one of the leading distributor company representing over 30 predominantly international brands in Finland, including Heinz, Twinings, Barilla, Wasa, Old El Paso, Bonduelle, Risella, Sunnuntai, Keiju, Jozo, Häagen-Dazs, Airwaves, Skittles, Mentos, Chupa Chups, Ritter Sport, Lay`s, Gatorade, Hermesetas etc. I was responsible for the whole principal portfolio, including new principal acquisition, distributor contracts, creating and leading the implementation of principal business plans/ action plans and development & alignment of commercial processes. My key responsibilities in this role was P/ L accountability of all principals, retail and food service channels, channel and customer specific business plans of all principals including turnover and Ebit objectives, implementation of principal specific business plans, principal contracts, new principal acquisition, development of internal business processes, development of principal business models.Member of management team and I reported to CEO. Leading the principal account and marketing team of 8 persons.Key achievements:- Sales growth of key principals between +5-20% on annual basis.- Strong contribution to win 5 new principals into the portfolio which represented 15% of GP3.- Developing the principal contracts to better support the growth.- Leading the step change in integrating internal processes with principal and customer processes enabled smoother internal co-operation, higher principal satisfaction and better delivery accuracy to customers.
  • Pouttu Oy / Maag Group
    Sales And Marketing Director
    Pouttu Oy / Maag Group 2012 - 2014
    Helsinki
    Pouttu Oy, part of Maag group, is one of the key players in meat/ meat processing business in Finland (turnover 50 mil. euros, 200 employees). I was Responsible for all commercial operations both in retail and Horeca channels with budgeted turnover & profit objectives, I created trade marketing & brand marketing strategies and converted them into concrete operational actions with specific objectives and KPIs including all key accounts, field force, telesales and marketing. I created and implemented several innovations in the business. My key responsibilities in this role was P/ L accountability, board relations, strategy up-date, retail and food service channels, channel and customer specific business plans with with relevant KPIs and implementation, sales and marketing integration, re-structuring the organisation according to new strategy, change management and lead the transformation, team building and motivation, business model development, key account development, field force development, product portfolio development, sales forecast model development, company identity & branding, media plans, marketing plan, media agency relations, consumer and market researches.Member of management team and I reported to CEO. Leading the sales and marketing organization of 14 persons.Key achievements:- Re-structuring the sales, marketing and production planning organizations into a winning concept.- Leading the step change of business operation model through committing and inspiring the organization to new way of doing business which resulted in a clear step change in profitability and sales growth boosted by strong PL performance.- Clear step change in field sales performance through integrating the telesales and field reps responsibilities and way of working into mutual objetives and KPI's.
  • Oy Sinebrychoff Ab / Carlsberg Group
    Sales Director
    Oy Sinebrychoff Ab / Carlsberg Group 2007 - 2012
    Kerava
    Sinebrychoff Oy, part of Carlsberg group, is a market leader in brewery business in Finland (turnover 320 mil euros, 300+ employees). I was responsible for 230 million euros turnover and profit objectives in retail channel. I created channel strategy, implemented account/ chain specific activities (roles in accounts, assortments, pricing, campaigns, promotions and category management) and negotiated account specific year contracts. I led the field force, key account manager and sales development teams. I had significant contribution on several key international development projects (packaging, promotions, best practices). I led the implementation of all sales operations.My key responsibilities in this role was P/ L accountability, retail and convenience channels including C&Cs and Alko, channel strategy and customer strategy, category management development, international group development projects, account specific business plans supporting MWBs, key account development, pricing strategy, best practice implementation, distributor contracts, licence brands, SOP process, third party lobbying, field force CRM, category and consumer insights into action.Member of commercial management team and reported to commercial director. Leading a organization of 36 people.Key achievements:- I continuously exceeded the budgeted key KPI`s (net sales and gross margin per liter) by 3-5% on annual basis through skillful mix management and pricing strategy.- I had a significant contribution to a new innovative strategy in beer multi-pack business which was a "game changer" in the category to increase SOM and profitability.- I had a key role in international development projects and led the the implementation in Finland including several best practices, tactical launches/ promotions and business platforms.- I have a proven track record of systematically developing the work satisfaction KPI's (annual personnel attitude survey) of my organization and being on excellent level.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Trade Marketing Manager
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy May 2005 - Dec 2006
    Helsinki
    Total responsibility for trade marketing strategies and operations in Finland (retail & Horeca) including volume, turnover and profit objectives. Leading the key account managers, field force and salesdevelopment team of 30 persons.My key responsibilities in this role was P/ L accountability, retail and Horeca channels, travel retail, channel strategy and implementation, category management, stake holder relations, international group development projects, account specific business plans supporting, key account management, in-store marketing, best practice implementation, distributor contracts, licence brands, customer contracts, SOP process, third party lobbying, field force operations, field force CRM development, category and consumer insights, talent pipe line management in sales.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    National Account Manager
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy Apr 2004 - Apr 2005
    Helsinki
    Leading the retail key account organization and Field force of 25 persons. Responsible for all accounts in Finland (Kesko, Inex, Tuko and Tradeka) including pricing, assortments, category management, year contracts, trade fairs & events, development projects (implementation of best practices) and field force execution.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Field Force Manager
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy Mar 2003 - Mar 2004
    Helsinki
    Responsible for the field force operations in retail channel and convenience accounts in Finland (Kespro, Metro, Heino, Rautakirja, Shell, Teboil, Esso, Neste and Eurostrada). Leading the field sales organization of 15 people.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Key Account Manager
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy Jan 2000 - Feb 2003
    Helsnki
    Responsible for creating and implementing key account plans for Kesko, Kespro and Rautakirja. Coach and develop a key account assistant assigned to me.
  • British American Tobacco The Netherlands
    Area Brand Manager Northern Europe Area
    British American Tobacco The Netherlands Dec 1998 - Jan 2000
    Amsterdam Area, Netherlands
    Responsible for developing Pall Mall brand strategies, improving key brand performance attributes and implementing brand operations in Northern Europe area (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Baltic countries, Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavian duty free) including all brand related activities (launch plans, media plans, promotions, packaging development, marketing materials and agency co-operation ). I developed and lead several launches to end markets.I was a member of international brand group. Position was based in Amsterdam.
  • British American Tobacco Hungary
    Brand Manager
    British American Tobacco Hungary May 1998 - Dec 1998
    Budapest
    Preparation phase for Pall Mall area brand manager position. This took place in Budapest (Hungary was a market of excellence / minor marketing legislative restrictions). Learning of Pall Mall brand world & essence through working in different projects and case studies with local brand team.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Brand Manager
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy May 1997 - May 1998
    Helsinki
    Responsible for brand strategies and brand operations of Hollywood, Kent, North State and Prince in Nordic market (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Baltic countries, Scandinavian duty free) including media plans, co-operation with advertising agencies, packaging development, promotions, marketing materials and in-store/ POS materials. I executed several launches and promotions in end markets.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Brand Executive
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy Jun 1996 - May 1997
    Helsinki
    Responsible for creating and executing a brand plan for Lucky Strike in Sweden. Management of customer events, promotions, POS materials and media plan.
  • British American Tobacco Nordic Oy
    Sales Representative
    British American Tobacco Nordic Oy Apr 1995 - Jun 1996
    Pori
    Responsible for field operations in own sales district (customers were retail outlets, petrol, kiosk and C&Cs). Additional assignment to develop and pilot a new category management approach for BAT brands which proved to be a success and a real game changer becoming a default approach in the industry. This period was a part of the marketing graduate program.

Harri Saari Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Harri Saari

What company does Harri Saari work for?

Harri Saari works for Fresh Servant Oy Ab

What is Harri Saari's role at the current company?

Harri Saari's current role is Sales Director.

What schools did Harri Saari attend?

Harri Saari attended Vaasan Yliopisto, Pietarsaaren Lukio.

Who are Harri Saari's colleagues?

Harri Saari's colleagues are Jesse Manner, Aurora Nguyen, Noah Snellman, Maria Mäkynen, Tanvir Ahmed, Jouni Ahlqvist, Noah Snellman.

Not the Harri Saari you were looking for?

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.