Elena L.

- Founded a boutique advisory firm supporting transformation agendas for multinational retailers and brands across three continents. - Advised C-level executives on sourcing centralization, compliance frameworks, ESG integration, and technology modernization across supplier networks. - Partnered with investor-backed businesses and mid-cap retailers on restructuring supply functions to support scale, profitability, and governance mandates. - Repeatedly brought in by CEOs and boards to diagnose structural inefficiencies and execute end-to-end sourcing redesigns.

- Directed the sourcing, vendor, and product strategy for Lidl Europe’s hardlines portfolio, overseeing supply networks across China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. - Partnered with executive leadership in Germany to align sourcing priorities with margin and assortment strategy, elevating the role of the Hong Kong office in global procurement. - Built and led the regional capability in market intelligence and trend forecasting, influencing category planning across European markets. - Acted as a crisis leader during periods of global volatility, guiding supply diversification and freight contingency measures across a multi-billion-euro operation.

- Led the global sourcing integration for Steinhoff’s 25-plus retail banners across Europe, Asia, and Australia, transitioning from a fragmented network to a unified buying group. - Developed and executed a global sourcing governance model that generated up to 8 percent margin uplift through category harmonization and supplier consolidation. - Collaborated with executive and legal teams to design data-sharing protocols and vendor standardization practices across jurisdictions. - Positioned sourcing as a strategic function within Steinhoff’s global operating model, reporting directly to senior group leadership.

- Held full executive responsibility for NKD’s Asia sourcing organization, managing P&L, strategic direction, and operational performance across four country offices. - Doubled sourcing volume over five years through strategic reorganization, process automation, and regional capability expansion. - Standardized quality, compliance, and negotiation protocols, positioning Asia as the core sourcing hub for NKD’s global retail business. - Led geographic sourcing diversification, establishing strategic supplier relationships in Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

(Asian garment sourcing specialist focusing on German clients, such as Ulla Popkin, Ernsting's Family and Christian Hirth Collection) Supervised office of 20 people across sourcing, quality assurance, logistics, and finance and administration Managed offer and contract negotiations, order processing and execution, and supplier and customer support Implemented fashion design training standards to support development of customers' fashion collection Assisted company-owned knitting factory in China and monitored production planning, leading to increased efficiency and output

Co-founded, established and managed garment trading company (USD5 million annual turn-over) with Daniela Seidensticker Managed sourcing and production in China and Vietnam for German department stores under private label Designed and marketed to German fashion boutiques own-label women's blouses with brand name "Roentgen"

Founded and established Rena Lange's Hong Kong sourcing office Reported directly to the CEO for the management of administration, accounting and personnel operations Monitored and oversaw production planning, order scheduling and execution through strategic factory partners Managed hiring, training and evaluation of all support staff

System coordinator for Karstadt Quelle's 13 regional offices, across 8 countries, and liaison with project development team in Germany Coordinated seamless rollout and on-site training of proprietary computer system (IPOS) across all offices Monitored and consolidated turn-over statistics for all regional offices and subsidiaries and presented to Asia Managing Director

Responsible for organization of all services related to patients domestically and abroad, including claims processing, and managing emergency measures

Responsible for managing all accounting systems (monthly maintenance of accounts and records, payroll and related reports, P&L, etc) and business and tax issues across various clients