American Saw and Manufacturing Company

Richmond College, London, England

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Middlebury College

Director, Market and Commercial Development, LEGO Sales Academy

As Director of the Sales Academy, I  am responsible for leading a team which develops and delivers the commercial Learning and Development agenda, primarily targeted towards sales professionals in markets as well as retail partners in LEGO Branded Channels (LEGO Brand, LEGO Certified Stores and LEGOLAND Park Stores).  My Team have recently been recognized as a Top 15 Learning Entity in 2021, by the Learning and Performance Institute.
Core Accountabilities:
-      Team Leadership: Build a high performance team of individuals, responsible for working across a vast network of internal and external content owners and subject matter experts, in order to develop and deliver a highly impactful and relevant commercial training program, which connects appropriately with other relevant L&D programs within LEGO.
- Commercial L&D Strategy Development: Develop and propose strategic direction and scope of Academy, ensuring alignment to LEGO Strategy and incorporating a future vision, which includes vigorous benchmarking with external CPG companies.
- Influence Key Stakeholders: Develop productive stakeholder relationships in order to gain buy-in to the LEGO Commercial L&D direction and employee participation in program curriculum and tools available.
- Track, monitor and communicate Training Impact: Quantify Learning Impact of training on commercial activities ensuring a balance of quantitative / qualitative measures linked to Pinnacle KPIs and other such commercial KPIs as required.

the LEGO Group

Director, Market and Commercial Development, Sales Academy

As Director of the Shopper Capability for The LEGO Group, I was responsible for the development and global rollout of shopper capability training program,  ensuring LEGO employees operate as best in the toy industry at translating shopper insights into a competitive advantage for the LEGO Group.

Core Accountabilities
- Building New Shopper Academy Team, and developing and rolling out Global Shopper Capability Training Programs within The LEGO Group.
- Leading LEGO Global Shopper Network of 20+ members, ensuring network drives shopper strategic agenda across all relevant business units
- Piloting new shopper tools and projects
- Building Shopper Insights Roadmap as part of Shopper Centre of Excellence Leadership team in partnership with Global Insights Team

Director, Shopper Capability, Shopper Centre of Excellence

As Senior Global Shopper Manager, Americas  I am responsible for driving the agenda of turning global shopper strategies into best-in-class solutions, by providing a bridge between key global functions and local markets.  Additionally, I acted as Interim Leader, Shopper Centre of Excellence July 2013-June 2014, which included leading the department and developing a team of 5 Denmark based individuals.

Core Accountabilities
-  Driving shopper agenda, piloting new shopper concepts and projects, and leveraging insights to drive excellence in sales activation and retail execution.
-  Leading LEGO Global Shopper Network of 20+ members, ensuring network drives shopper agenda across markets.
-  Leading content development of Global Shopper Capability Training Programs within The LEGO Group.
-  Embedding shopper insights into product and campaign development process.

Senior, Global Shopper Manager

As National Account Director in the U.K. Market, I was responsible for leading and developing the Grocery, Catalogue and On-line Channels, which accounted for 60% of the total LEGO U.K. business.

Core Accountabilities:
- Leading and developing a team of 6 account managers across all aspects of key account management, including trade activity and range planning, consultative selling and terms negotiations.
- Managing SBU P&L, ultimately achieving pre-set consumer sales targets and key performance indicators.
- Developing and executing tailor made joint strategic retailer business plans with senior level contacts.
- Member of U.K. Leadership Team, feeding into U.K. strategy and business management.
- Actively engaging the U.K. Sales, Marketing and Operation Teams, to develop plans and resolve issues through collaborative problem solving.
- Fostering a growth mindset and competitive edge among the U.K. Team.

Achievements:
- Strong plans drove consumer sales of £80m over 3 year period (+93%).
- One of 17 employees globally selected to participate in 2 year LEGO Accelerator Development Program.
- Tesco 2011 Top Supplier Award.

- Tesco Global Business Lead.
- Led Customer Business Planning, Ecommerce, and Customer Value Proposition projects.
- Achieved best supplier status in 2011 Pursuit NHA Survey (vs. number five rank in 2009).

National Accounts Director, LEGO UK & Ireland

As Director, Key Accounts I was responsible for leading and developing business within 35 retailers across a wide range of channels, including Regional Discounters, On-line, Club, Grocery, Pharmacy, Merlin Entertainment, and Book Channels.

Core Accountabilities:
- Led and developed a team of 4 key account managers across all aspects of key account management, including new business development, trade activity, range planning, forecasting, and trade terms negotiations.
- Managed SBU P&L, ultimately achieving pre-set consumer sales targets and key performance indicators.
- Crafted and rolled out annual Channel Strategic Business Plans.
- Developed and executed tailor made joint strategic business plans, with senior level contacts at top 5 customers.

Achievements:

- Drove $33.5m business, increasing sales by 38%, and profit contribution 300% over 4 year period.
- LEGO Pearl Award 2006.
- Fred Meyer Supplier of the Year Award 2007 and 2009.
- Led specific projects: Global Amazon Lead, Ecommerce, & LEGO Shared Vision.

Director, US Key Accounts

S.A.

As Customer Development Director, I was responsible for development and execution of a strategic business plan and annual promotional initiatives for Toys 'R' US, U.S.A.

Core Accountabilities:
Maintained positive multi-level relationships, from senior customer trading, marketing, and supply contacts through to buying team, stock control team and finance.
Managed customer profit and loss statement, achieving pre-set consumer sales targets and key performance indicators.
Negotiated trading terms, ranges, and promotions.
Managing one direct report, TRU Customer Development Manager, who supports operational execution of the TRU plan, as well as account management for Ecommerce platforms and flagship stores.

US Customer Development

S.A.

Following my U.K. assignment, The LEGO Company went through a period of significant financial challenge resulting in
two reorganizations.  I began this period working as a LEGO Media & Mindstorms® Specialist, U.S.A. and Canada, before being promoted to the Kmart National Account Manager, and then eventually being promoted to Director of the Specialty Channel.

Achievements:
Two promotions in 4 years.
Acted as a role model and stable force, during a time of turmoil.

US National Accounts

National Accounts, LEGO U.K. & Ireland

During my first 4 months in the U.K., I developed the Retail Merchandising program before taking on responsibility for managing Toys 'R' US.  As a National Accounts Manager, I was responsible for all aspects of the LEGO program, including selling in range and trade promotions, forecasting, consumer sales analysis and terms negotiations.

Achievements:
Designed Retail Merchandising Program from the ground up.
Promoted to Toys 'R' US

UK & Ireland Account Manager

S.A.

During my first years of employment with The LEGO Company, I was trained to be a Field Merchandising Manager and Key Account Specialist in the New England and New York Regions.  I developed at a fast pace and consistently took on new challenges and responsibilities, including managing ten merchandisers, training sales team members, calling on Walmart and Toys 'R' US Regional Vice Presidents, as well as Caldor and KB Toys Head Offices.

Kelly Nygren