Sam Houbrechts

Experience

• 

  Hogeschool PXL

  Feb 2019 - Jun 2019

  International Business Experience Program

  The International Business Experience Program was a multidisciplinary collaboration project among four partner universities: PXL University of Applied Sciences & Arts (Belgium), Washburn University School of Business (US), Wuhan University of Science & Technology (China), and Universidade Metodista de São Paulo (Brazil).▶︎ The program included an international internship in China, commencing in Shanghai and concluding in Hong Kong. Additionally, visits to Beijing and Wuhan were part of the itinerary.▶︎ Certificates were awarded by the four partner universities to recognize outstanding participation in the International Business Experience Program (see attached pictures).▶︎ Assignment 1 involved conducting a market research (country study) of China to gain insight into Chinese culture and business practices.▶︎ Assignment 2 consisted of developing and presenting a business plan for a Belgian startup in Shanghai. This presentation was delivered at various entities including a legal firm, accounting firm, investment company, bank, marketing consultancy agency, and a Belgian startup company.▶︎ Assignment 3 focused on developing an export plan roadmap for FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd., serving as a business case. Show less

• 

  Dôme Deco

  Feb 2023 - Jun 2023

  Marketing Internship Project

  B2B Interior design label Dôme Deco is a Belgian SME specialising in the design and production of cosmopolitan interior collections. Its customers are interior designers and the contract market working directly on hotels, restaurants, co-working spaces and residential projects. In addition, the label is distributed by retailers worldwide. Dôme Deco offers complete interior design concepts with a strong identity and creates memorable experiences through cosmopolitan interior design concepts worldwide.The core assignment of the internship project was answering a solution-oriented management question and writing and presenting a management consulting report.▶︎ Conducted a literature review to explore circular economy strategies, business models and revenue models applicable to Dôme Deco's business operations.▶︎ Surveyed current customer base to assess interest in circular business models and sustainability initiatives.▶︎ Analyzed competitors' approaches to circular economy and identified existing circular business models in the industry.▶︎ Developed recommendations for Dôme Deco to leverage the circular economy to reduce warehouse inventory and promote sustainability.▶︎ Compiled findings and recommendations into a comprehensive management consulting report for presentation. Show less

• 

  Nestlé

  Dec 2023 - Jun 2024

  Marketing Assistant Intern - Nestlé Professional

  Nestlé is the world's largest food & beverage company and is headquartered for the Belgian and Luxembourg markets in Anderlecht, Belgium. Nestlé Professional is Nestlé's 'business to business' out-of-home expert. Nestlé Professional carries several strong brands and has an extensive portfolio. Think about culinary brands like GARDEN GOURMET®, MAGGI®, CHEF®, BUITONI®, KITKAT®, NESTLÉ® DOCELLO® and beverage brands like NESCAFÉ®, NESQUIK®, NESTEA®, NESTLÉ®, BUONDI®, MAGGI® and WE PROUDLY SERVE STARBUCKS™As a Marketing Assistant Intern, I was in charge of the execution of product and brand management for Nestlé Professional for both food and beverages categories. My main tasks and responsibilities were related to the following topics:▶ Product: Successfully delivered comprehensive product launch plans, including spec sheets, marketing materials, and sales toolkits. Managed product launches, relaunches, and delistings efficiently.▶ Packaging: Developed and amended pack design artwork and spec sheets for around 100 products, achieving cost savings of approximately €300 per product, significantly reducing the marketing budget.▶ Online: Oversaw website and social media management, developed engaging online content and campaigns, created a content calendar, and optimized SEO and SEA strategies.▶ Monitoring: Conducted thorough competitor analysis and market analysis on innovations and developments in the out-of-home market, providing valuable insights for strategic planning.▶ Support: Supported the marketing team by coordinating with agencies, centers of excellence like factories and QA/RSA specialists, and various internal business functions. Localized international marketing campaigns and assisted in daily marketing activities, including customer relationship management. Show less

• 

  Beiersdorf

  Aug 2024 - Feb 2025

  Junior Brand Manager NIVEA Shower & Hair BE + Consumer Journey BNL

  Beiersdorf is a global leader in skincare and adhesive product categories, with its headquarters for the Belgian and Luxembourg markets in Brussels, Belgium. The company offers a broad range of skincare solutions under well-known brand names like NIVEA® for trusted skincare, Eucerin® for dermatological care, La Prairie® for luxury anti-aging, Hansaplast® for wound care, and Labello® for lip care.In this BNL role, I manage product and brand categories for personal care (Shower & Hair) under NIVEA and oversee consumer relations for NIVEA and Labello in the BNL markets.▶︎ Product Management: Daily management of product categories, including launches and relaunches, supply chain data, forecasting, activation plans, and core product portfolio.▶︎ Brand Management: Supporting the Marketing Manager in business steering:• Identifying challenges and opportunities for product categories and providing recommendations.• Gathering local insights to develop action plans and enhance product categories in Belgium.• Conducting market analysis and performance tracking, including sell-in/sell-out results and competitor activities (media, innovations, activities) and landscape, market evolution in terms of product and habits / trends. • Collaborating with the Marketing Manager to develop and implement local marketing strategies and plans, aligning international guidelines & strategies to the local market situation.• Engaging and motivating stakeholders to maximize category performance.• Coordinating with marketing colleagues and internal business functions like Sales, SCM, Supply Chain, Financial Controlling, Regulatory, and reporting to the Senior Brand Manager.▶︎ Consumer Relation Management: Supporting the Media & Consumer Journey team in business steering: • Managing consumer relations in BE and acting as backup for NL during holidays. Supporting the NL Consumer Relations Manager to ensure high-quality responses to consumer inquiries for NIVEA and Labello. Show less