Rob van Ravens

Director of Brand- and Business Development @ aunts&uncles GmbH & Co. KG

About

I’m a product- and brand-leader with a proven track record in consumer-goods (bags, travel gear, footwear, fashion, accessories, and lifestyle products) working at the intersection of creativity, product, and commercial strategies.I believe that strong brands and portfolios are built when ideas, design, and consumer needs come together — and I’ve spent my career turning that belief into profitable, scalable business models.My experience spans Asia, Europe and the Americas, leading global teams and shaping product portfolios for companies like Victorinox / Wenger, JanSport and Eastpak (VF Corp.), CAT/Caterpillar + other international licensing environments. I enjoy simplifying complexity by sharpening brand positioning and story-telling, building strong sourcing strategies, and creating products that feel both functional and emotionally relevant.I’m known for being passionate, creative and unconventional in my thinking, yet structured in execution. Whether guiding product strategy, driving international expansion, or aligning Sales, Product, and Marketing, I do bring a hands‑on style that connects people and accelerates results.Highlights include: • Building several award‑winning, consumer‑centric product collections • Leading global product teams across cultures and time zones • Delivering double‑digit growth with strong profitability and better margin structures • Turning great ideas into greater products & brands that consumers trust and return toIf you’re exploring new directions for your brand and have opportunities in brand development or if you think of diversification and need brand/product leadership for international expansion, I’m open to connecting.

Country

Netherlands

City

The Randstad

Industry

Consumer Goods

Skill

Leadership Development, Sales, English, Concept Development, International Business, Business Development, Portfolio Management, Team Leadership, International Sales, Sourcing, Leadership, Product Marketing, Brand Management, Management, Marketing Strategy, Product Management, Brand Development, New Business Development, Product Development, Marketing

Experience

Director of Brand- and Business Development

aunts&uncles GmbH & Co. KG

2025-8 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

Neukirchen-Vluyn

In this role at aunts&uncles, the focus is to optimize the entire go-to-market process. Acting as a catalyst between International Sales, Product and Marketing (PMS) the goal is to achieve a sustainable- and profitable growth and international expansion..

Head of Category Travel Gear, Bags & Accessories Victorinox & Wenger

Victorinox

2019-4 - 2025-3 · 6 yrs

Ibach - Schwyz, Switzerland

Heading up the Product Management-, Product Development- and Engineering-Teams for Victorinox and Wenger Travelgear, Bags & Accessories. Dotted line responsibility to the Asian teams for merchandising, product-testing, sourcing, development and production. Having 360 degrees experience in the Bags & Travel-goods industry (Sales, Product, Marketing).

Head of Product a.i. all categories AND Head of Category Travel Gear, Bags & Accessories

Victorinox

2023-10 - 2024-11 · 1 yr 2 mos

Ibach-Schwyz - Switzerland

Leading the Victorinox Product teams within the categories of Cutlery, Watches, Fragrances and the iconic Swiss Army Knives - whilst keeping the lead within Travel Gear, Bags & Acc.

Director of Product Development Victorinox & Wenger (Travelgear, bags & acc)

Victorinox

2017-2 - 2019-4 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland

Leadership at product idea initiation to market launches; full product management in close allinement with the design-teams, sourcing, global distribution partners, sales-teams, marketing dept. etc.

Brand and Concept Director (Bags & Luggage - Cat/Caterpillar, Merrell, Ellehammer)

Grown Up Group

2010-11 - 2016-12 · 6 yrs 2 mos

Aarhus / Hong Kong

Global positioning and international sales of Grown Up Licenses' brands in Bags & Luggage: CAT/Caterpillar, Merrell, Lego, Ellehammer and others. Product-development / design directions, Marketing-concepts, Brand-building - sales to worldwide distributors and retailers.

Marketing / Product Director (Bags & Luggage - Cat/Caterpillar, Dockers by Levis, ELLE, Saxoline)

Brington Industries (Hong Kong)

2006-8 - 2010-8 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Hong Kong / The Hague

Bags, Luggage, Licenses (CAT/Caterpillar, Dockers by Levi's, Saxoline, Airline)

Managing Director (Bags & Licensing - MLB, Tommy Hilfiger, Seahawk/Mendoza, Tough Jeans)

UrbanAccess (Oud Loosdrecht, NL)

2004 - 2006 · 2 yrs

Loosdrecht

Bags, Licenses and More. Design, Product Development, Sales. Distribution of bags, backpacks, travel gear and apparel (MLB, Seahawk by Mendoza, Tommy Hilfiger, Tough Jeans & acc. - bags)

JanSport General Manager Europe

VF Corporation

2002-1 - 2004-8 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Bornem Belgium

Re-Positioning of the Us-backpack brand JanSport in Europe, manage team of country managers, product development and direct sales to international key-customers.