Werner Arth

Experience

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  Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, Purchasing Lidl International

  Oct 1997 - Mar 1999

  Senior Purchasing Manager - Director Procurement

  Appointed to Director Procurement & Marketing for all preparations of the country opening in Greece, reporting to the International Board of Purchasing. Managed all organisational and commercial development activities of the purchasing department including staffing & recruiting, to secure the market opening in Greece. Established the Start-up Food and Nonfood Assortment under strict compliance with local food & market regulations. Led the country opening preparartion by building outstanding purchasing team, defining a highly competitive value proposal based of locally and internationally sourced products; Designed the strategy and target positioning through extensive market analysis; Negotiated and contracted all external business & service partners; Designed a benchmark Supply Chain Logistics in coordination with the board serving as blueprint for other country openings; Developed all branding strategies for the umbrella brand and its PL product brands; Set up the advertising mix, budget and executed the media buying; Contracted and coordinated all special service providers to ensure flawless product sales in the new market (lawyers, chemists); Set the general pricing strategy and positioning against competitors; Implemented aggressive Nonfood promotion sales strategy, outperforming competitors from the start; Managed the planning of merchandising, warehouse stock and replenishment to ensure consistent product availability from the beginning. Show less

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  Lidl Hellas

  Apr 1999 - Jan 2015

  Chief Procurement & Marketing Officer - Member of the Executive Board

  Oversaw strategic sourcing for all goods for resale for Greece and Cyprus (-2010 opening) and purchasing, marketing, advertising, quality, and logistics. Managed an operating budget of $1.5+ billion, 10 business units, two country organizations, and a staff of 120. Created and implemented assortment and marketing strategy and performance, marketing plans, company advertising, brand positioning, contract negotiations, pricing, and brand architecture for both markets. Represented the company to public authorities and ministries on competition law and market surveillance. As a member of the Executive Board, reported to the International Board of Directors and Greek Board President. Increased revenues tenfold over a 10+ year period, boosted local private label to 55% from 1%, and captured quality-price market lead in Greece by increasing locally sourced products to 500+ from 65 and overall SKUs to 1,600 from 680. Cultivated $160 million in revenues and achieved top three European status of “Greek Week” by promoting Greek PL and Brand products in stores, buying local Greek goods, establishing Greek food promotion products with exports into 24 EU countries, and negotiating supplies for 25 countries selected from 650+ local products. Introduced complex merchandise management and effective controlling. Co-led all landmark decisions affecting the entire national organization and its market position. Show less

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  Mobile Sanitary Systems

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

  Management Consultant

  Engaged to identify opportunities for company growth and go-to-market strategies to penetrate new markets in multiple countries. Managed the Sales Manager and a $500,000 budget. Reported to the Owner. Achieved a 25% profit growth and expanded market reach by 10% by targeting and securing new B2B clients, designing new marketing strategies via direct mail and social media platforms, and conceptualizing and integrating sales plans. Elevated market position above multinational competitor and increased service levels by developing personalized pricing models. Show less

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  ΣΚΛΑΒΕΝΙΤΗΣ

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

  Special Advisor to the Board

  Advised ownership on restructuring the commercial business units and strategy. Managed annual spends on PL products assortment with annual sales exceeding 15% of total sales. Instituted commercial and corporate transformation strategies integral to the merger process. Established and headed the merger integration office, (CFO, CSO, CTO, CCO). Devised the vision and mission statement and values, purchasing strategy, and lean processes for the purchasing department. Reinforced commercial value proposals for various store formats. Benchmarked assortment analysis for the multi-format store network. Reported directly to the Board. Doubled productivity 50% by driving organizational changes across packaging and design of the PL department. Show less

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  Carrefour

  Mar 2016 - Sept 2016

  Sen. Management Consultant & Board Advisor

  Former Carrefour - Marinopoulos HQ - Alimos / Athens Greece.Performed business-critical transformation during severe market underperformance for the firm. Oversaw commercial strategy, reorganization, and change through a staff of 70+ people and an operating budget of $700 million+. Reported to the President of the Board.Facilitated a multi-format retail chain sale design encompassing 780 stores undergoing severe turnarounds by performing a detailed analysis, developing a business model, and quantifying the commercial potential of a “buy out” for potential future buyers. Show less

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  OBA Marketlər Şəbəkəsi

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

  Commercial Director & Senior Executive Consultant

  Provided strategic consulting services with a focus on operational change, turnaround, business model, transformation strategies, and business unit management. Oversaw profitability, organizational restructuring and development, process improvements, range and category management, product management, marketing, and margin and profitability performance. Directed a $180 million PL budget. Led the redesign of assortment strategy and pricing. Collaborated closely with the interim CEO on strategies. Managed a team of seven Senior Managers and 40+ across multiple business units: purchasing, marketing, import, and supply chain. Secured cross-functional unity and overcame cultural barriers. Reported to the CEO and Board. Secured a 40% increase of PL product quality and consumer focus by introducing a new category management analysis pricing strategy, integrating data management operational processes, and pricing models for a more competitive product assortment. Show less

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  Progress To Change ltd.

  Jan 2020 - now

  Founder, Senior Executive Manager & Senior Advisor

  Management services, procurement and supply chain management. Designs commercial and operational strategies, policies, and processes to retail chains, discount chains, and FMCG manufacturers. Leads business modeling and adaptation, startup advisory consulting, and senior executive coaching to clients. Manages executive teams and contractors based on projects. Designs, establishes, and integrates adaptations of business canvas and models for sustainability and profitability. Implements aggressive multi-channel B2B/B2C, marketing, advertising, sales, product development, and R&D strategies. Develops pricing strategies and performs negotiations. Oversees multi-million-dollar client budgets. Shapes the customer value proposition and profit models incorporating the company's core capabilities. Doubled revenues by integrating strategies for new product placements into international markets for a local snack producer. Show less

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  PALIRIA

  May 2022 - now

  Board Member

  Board Member for a Champion of The Greek Food Manufacturing Industry With role focus on facilitating, supervising and securing the development & growth of the company to realise exceptional future sustainable and profitable growth.Facilitating change and acceleration in key expert areas such as: Commercial Strategy, Strategic Brand Management, Assortment & Category Management, Product Management & Marketing, Product R&D and Innovations-Management, Organizational Change, OPEX and Benchmarking of Commercial Divisions.The board role includes the supervision and decision making on the business growth via M&A, Business model design & adaptation, strategy as well as future multidimensional restructuring of the organisation and the company’s international manufacturing approach. Show less

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  Kritikos Supermarket S.A

  Dec 2022 - now

  Senior Consultant & Advisor on Retail Management - Sourcing - Assortment - Private Label

  • Led projects on Range & Category Development, driving change in PL product quality, packaging, and design in a multi-format store chain environment.• Facilitating development and change in the Greek Grocery Retail Market, focusing on consumer-centric solutions.• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to expand and enhance the assortment, ensuring a competitive edge in the market.