Uwe Kurz

Experience

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  Deutscher Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband - Gesamtverband e.V.

  Aug 1996 - Jul 1997

  Civil Service

  Civilian Service as an Alternative to Military Service

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  Kurz Telekommunikation

  Jan 1997 - Dec 2000

  Founder and CEO

  At a young age, I saw an emerging opportunity in the telecommunications market as mobile phones and websites were just beginning to gain traction. This led me to start my own business, Kurz Telekommunikation, where I took my first steps into entrepreneurship. Over three years, I managed all aspects of this small startup, focusing on the sale of mobile phones and website development services. By understanding market trends and customer needs, I was able to grow the business during a pivotal time for both industries. This experience laid the foundation for my future ventures and developed my skills in business management, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making. Show less

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  IKEA Deutschland GmbH & Co KG - Niederlassung Ludwigsburg

  Jun 1998 - Jan 2001

  Sales Co-worker

  As a Sales Associate at IKEA, I was responsible for providing an exceptional shopping experience by engaging with customers, understanding their needs, and offering tailored solutions. My passion for sales and customer service, combined with my knowledge of furniture and home furnishings, enabled me to build strong customer relationships. I worked closely with other departments to optimize sales, maintained a clean and organized environment, and collaborated with interior designers to create visually appealing setups that inspired customers. Show less

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  IKEA Global

  Feb 2001 - Aug 2002

  International Management-Trainee - Återväxt Programm

  As part of IKEA’s 18-month Management Trainee Program, I gained comprehensive exposure to the global operations of the company, focusing on purchasing, distribution, range development, and retail. My main project involved investigating the quality of pine used in IKEA’s furniture on a global scale, analyzing market implications and delivering the findings to senior management. Throughout the program, I participated in six leadership development events, which covered all aspects of leadership, preparing me to take on strategic roles within the organization. The program culminated in a presentation of the project outcomes to IKEA’s top management. Show less

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  IKEA Deutschland GmbH & Co KG - Niederlassung Ludwigsburg

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2006

  As the Team Leader for the Decoration department, I was responsible for overseeing all visual merchandising and commercial activities, ensuring that the store’s visual appeal aligned with IKEA’s standards. I managed a team of co-workers, ensuring that their talents were developed, and the customer experience was enhanced through attractive and functional displays. I worked closely with other departments to coordinate promotional events and seasonal setups while driving sales growth through strategic visual solutions. Show less As the Team Leader for the Office Furniture department, I was responsible for driving sales and customer satisfaction by managing product displays, availability, and customer service. I led a team focused on ensuring that the department met its sales goals and provided excellent customer experiences. My role included business planning, inventory management, and cross-departmental collaboration to deliver a seamless shopping experience. In addition, I was tasked with being the worldwide point of contact for all quality issues related to office furniture for global product development Show less

  • Team leader home decoration and commercial activities

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  • Team Leader Office Furniture

    Jan 2002 - Jan 2004
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  IKEA Components AB

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2009

  Key Account Manager

  As Key Account Manager, I was responsible for managing key relationships with major suppliers of furniture parts such as hinges, screws, and slides for the German market. My role involved ensuring a smooth supply chain and maintaining strong relationships with four of the largest suppliers in the industry. After two years, my responsibilities expanded to managing accounts for the biggest producers of flatline furniture in Europe, overseeing the supply of these components to IKEA suppliers across multiple markets. I focused on optimizing supplier performance, negotiating contracts, and driving efficiencies that aligned with IKEA’s strategic goals. My work ensured the seamless integration of parts into IKEA’s supply chain, improving product quality and delivery timelines. Show less

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  IKEA Vösendorf Möbelvertrieb OHG

  Apr 2011 - Jul 2014

  During my time as Retail Project Manager, I played a key role in managing the renovation of an entire IKEA store while ensuring that daily sales and operations continued without disruption. A significant part of my responsibilities was to balance the construction project with maintaining excellent customer service and operational performance. I worked closely with various teams, coordinating efforts to ensure the store remained fully functional while meeting project deadlines and budget constraints. My focus was on minimizing the impact of the renovation on customers, staff, and business operations, while optimizing processes and ensuring seamless transitions between project phases. Show less As Deputy Store Manager at IKEA, I supported the Store Manager in overseeing all store operations to ensure efficient processes and optimal performance. My focus was on driving growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction while ensuring that IKEA’s values and business strategies were implemented effectively. I worked closely with department managers to enhance the store’s overall performance and maximize customer engagement. Additionally, I was responsible for ensuring compliance with operational standards and fostering a collaborative work environment that empowered co-workers to achieve high performance. Show less In my role as Acting Store Manager at IKEA, I was responsible for overseeing the entire store’s operations and maintaining business performance while fulfilling the duties of the Store Manager during their absence. I ensured that sales targets were met, customer satisfaction remained high, and operational processes ran smoothly across all departments. My role also involved leading the team, managing daily operations, and driving store profitability. I focused on maintaining a seamless shopping experience, managing resources efficiently, and ensuring compliance with IKEA’s standards and sustainability goals during this interim period. Show less As Customer Relations Manager at IKEA, I was responsible for ensuring exceptional customer experiences across all touchpoints, leading initiatives that enhanced satisfaction and retention. My role focused on implementing customer-centric strategies to improve the shopping journey and foster long-term customer loyalty. I collaborated with internal departments to align business goals with customer needs, driving initiatives that increased service quality and operational efficiency. I also led a diverse team, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring compliance with IKEA’s values and standards. Show less

  • Retail Project Manager

    Jul 2013 - Jul 2014

  • Deputy Store Manager

    Sept 2009 - Jul 2014

  • Store Manager, acting

    Oct 2012 - Sept 2013

  • Customer Relations Manager

    Apr 2011 - Dec 2012
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  IKEA Austria GmbH

  Jul 2014 - Mar 2016

  Retail Project Manager, Austria

  As a Retail Project Manager at IKEA, I was responsible for leading and overseeing various establishment projects, ensuring they were completed on time, within budget, and aligned with IKEA’s standards. My role involved managing project teams, developing business cases, and ensuring seamless handovers from project initiation to operational launch. I focused on optimizing the project delivery process, sharing best practices across the organization, and ensuring project leaders had the necessary skills to succeed. I was also responsible for fostering a collaborative environment, driving continuous improvement, and supporting IKEA’s long-term expansion goals. Show less

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  IKEA Vösendorf Möbelvertrieb OHG

  Mar 2016 - Mar 2018

  Store Manager IKEA Kompakt, St. Pölten

  Led the establishment and operations of a new IKEA Kompakt store within the Traisenpark Shopping Center. Responsible for managing the entire store setup from scratch, including project management, team development, and business operations post-launch. Ensured a seamless customer experience by implementing the IKEA Concept and maintaining high commercial performance. Developed and executed the store’s business plan to increase visitor numbers and profitability. Fostered a strong IKEA culture and empowered team members to deliver excellent results while maintaining compliance with health, safety, and sustainability standards. Show less

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  IKEA Distributions Services GmbH

  Apr 2018 - Jun 2019

  Country Market Operations Manager, Austria

  As Service Fulfilment Operations Manager at IKEA, I was responsible for ensuring high-performing service operations by overseeing both internal and external service partners. My role focused on optimizing service fulfilment processes, including daily operations, cost management, and resource planning, to provide an exceptional customer experience at the lowest possible cost. I led the team in implementing operational excellence, driving continuous improvements, and ensuring compliance with IKEA’s sustainability and legal standards. Additionally, I focused on long-term development by fostering relationships with service partners and ensuring that the fulfilment organization was ready for future growth. Show less

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  IKEA Distributione Services GmbH

  Jun 2019 - Aug 2024

  Country Customer Fulfilment Sourcing Manager, Austria

  Led the Fulfilment Sourcing function at IKEA, ensuring high-quality customer fulfilment services across all sales channels. Accountable for long-term sourcing development, including building a strategic pool of suppliers and fostering long-term partnerships. Developed and implemented innovative sourcing strategies to optimize lead times, availability, and quality, while maintaining cost efficiency. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of fulfilment solutions, delivering excellent customer experiences. Managed contracts and compliance while driving sustainability initiatives. Led and coached a diverse team, promoting talent development and inclusion to achieve both operational and business objectives. Show less

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  Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences

  Aug 2024 - now

  BA Responsible Entrepreneurship Program Representative

  Ich vertrete die Bachelor-Studierenden des Responsible Entrepreneurship-Programms im ersten Learners’ Council der Tomorrow University. Meine Aufgabe ist es, die Beziehung zwischen Universität und Studierenden zu stärken, offenen Dialog zu fördern und Anliegen sowie Ideen einzubringen. Das Ziel des Gremiums ist es, das studentische Erlebnis durch neue Ansätze und Zusammenarbeit zu verbessern.

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  57solutions GmbH

  Nov 2024 - now

  Founder and CEO