Christian Topp Olsen

With around 1,400 employees and 11 direct reports the role of VP Pacific Rim+ encompasses sales and manufacturing companies across all the VELUX markets outside Europe. The key markets are USA, China, Australia, Canada, Russia and Japan, but the region also includes New Zealand, Ukraine, Belarus, Chile, Argentina, Turkey and Export to dealers and projects in markets where there is no local VELUX entity. Initially based in Beijing, then in Hørsholm Denmark, this position reported to the SVP Sales and Marketing.

VELUX China manufactures and sells roof windows and skylights along with associated accessories and has 350 employees. The main objective of the position is to consolidate and expand VELUX’ leading position in China. Based in Beijing, this position reported to a Denmark based Senior Vice President.

Heinz Thailand was a joint venture mainly producing Heinz Tomato Ketchup and other condiments for the local market as well as export. Total staff was 200 with 4 direct reports. Concurrently held the position of Managing Director, Asia Trading Companies, covering Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Korea. Total staff in the trading companies was 40 with 5 direct reports. Concurrently held the position of President, PT Heinz Suprama in Indonesia, a joint venture manufacturing noodles for both the domestic Indonesian market and export markets. Total staff was 1,000 with 4 direct reports. Combined revenue responsibility for these three business units was US$ 50MM with over 1,200 employees and 13 direct reports. Based in Bangkok, this role reported to the Area President of Asia, based in Singapore.

Located in Surabaya, Indonesia, PT. Heinz Suprama was the only noodle factory in Heinz. Besides supplying noodles to the domestic Indonesian market, PT. Heinz Suprama also manufactured noodles under the Heinz brand to other Heinz affiliates around the world, mainly UK, Australia and New Zealand. The total number of employees was 1,000 (650 in production) with 9 direct reports. This role reported to the Asia Area President.

Managed Heinz Sinsin, a fully Heinz owned company selling under the Heinz and Sinsin brands domestically, exporting as well as supplying McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC. Concurrently held the position of Managing Director, PT. Heinz Suprama during this period. Based in the Heinz Singapore regional office, the role reported to the Area Vice President, Asia also based in Singapore.

Established the first office for Heinz in Malaysia in October 1998. The objective was to improve Heinz’ presence in Malaysia through maintaining an effective relationship with the distributor by setting targets for sales and distribution, monitoring performance and rewarding significant achievements as well as working closely with agencies (Leo Burnett and Grey Advertising). This role reported to the Area Director – South East Asia.

Having already been asked to open an office in Malaysia, this was a short term assignment, reporting to a UK based director. Main tasks were to identify and recommend potential candidates for the position of Regional Manager and to ensure a smooth transition of the business as well as to develop strategic plans for the new, incoming management.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, the overall task was to develop the baby food business in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries (GCC). The role encompassed preparing marketing strategies and implementing the same across the GCC region, distributor management in the Middle East, Mauritius & Sri Lanka (14 distributors) and training and setting targets for distributors’ sales force.

Reporting to and backing up the Area Sales Manager, the job scope included developing price structures, developing product supply chain systems and liaising with ministries to ensure product compliance with local regulations.