Thomas Kruse
Head Of Product Portfolio DACH, Nexi
Copenhagen,84
Summary
Dynamic product leader with extensive experience at Nexi, excelling in product portfolio management and value proposition development. Proven track record in cross-functional leadership and data-driven decision making, driving market success for innovative Pay Tech solutions. Adept at fostering collaboration and delivering impactful results in fast-paced environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Product Portfolio DACH
Nexi
09.2024 - Current
- As Head of Product Portfolio Management DACH I lead a team whose role it is to ensure that the Pay Tech products launched in the DACH region are operational- and commercial ready. This includes coordination between product development management, operational management and the commercial organization. Products need to be market compliant, legally checked, operational in local IT systems, presented in local portals and incorporated in the regional product portfolio and function with i.e. local payment schemes.
- We also need to ensure that the products’ market success is tracked and reasons for performances are collected as input to new product and feature development.
Value Stream Manager
Nexi
10.2023 - 09.2024
- At Nexi, we work in an agile manner and organize our Pay Tech product development projects for SME merchants using SAFe. As a Value Stream Manager, I managed a team responsible for Product Development Epics and accountable end-to-end for ensuring the intended value is delivered. My responsibilities span across multiple Agile Release Trains.
Vertical Proposition Manager, Pan European Retail
Nexi
01.2023 - 10.2023
- Supporting the commercial organization across Europe, my focus was to build strong market Pay Tech propositions towards groceries merchants. This included Omni-channel propositions, new check-out propositions (self-service and app embedded card payments)
Commercial Proposition Manager
Nexi
09.2020 - 01.2023
- As part of the pan-European proposition and marketing team for Large Accounts, responsible for defining commercial propositions for Retail, Hospitality, Mobility, and corporate verticals. Utilizing customer and competitor insights and collaborating with external research partners, product development, pricing, operations, and marketing, I work on developing new commercial concepts that influence the future of payments in unified commerce-, pure online- and pure offline universes.
Proposition Manager
Telenor
03.2018 - 09.2020
- In this Telco company I held a senior commercial role in Business Markets. Responsible for B2B Value Proposition Design, including product and service innovation, strategy, and concept development for Small Business.
Owner
Ixobob Holding
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Alongside my full-time position, I ran a small business consultancy where I assisted Danish tech start-ups in finding investors and in developing and reviewing their business and go-to-market plans. I also joined a range of advisory boards. After a little more than 6 years I decided to close the business.
Head Of Customer Experience
Sopra Steria
11.2015 - 2018
- In this Management Consulting company I was the overall responsible for establishing the Customer Experience Consulting business in Denmark. I was working closely with our colleagues in Oslo, Norway to deliver strong online and telephone customer experience solutions mainly for companies within the financial industry in Denmark (insurance companies, pension plan administrators and banks).
Director International Business Development
Valtech
09.2014 - 11.2015
- Coming back to this digital business consulting company I was responsible for business development within Valtech Healthcare in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Mainly New-Bizz selling within ecommerce, online self-service platforms and digital transformation. I landed new orders from companies like Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Böhringer-Ingelheim etc.
Sales Director
Creuna
12.2012 - 09.2014
- At the time, Creuna was the biggest Digital Agency in the Nordics, and I managed the department of new bizz and key account selling. Key responsibilities included team management, sales reporting, and overall client relations.
US Digital Practice Lead
Valtech
08.2010 - 12.2012
- As Practice Lead for Valtech's US digital practice, I was responsible for establishing a new digital practice in New York City from the ground up, assembling and managing the team, client engagement, digital marketing consulting, office setup, and business growth.
Engagement Director & Project Team Lead
Valtech
12.2006 - 08.2010
- Managed and grew key client relationships and digital transformation and ecom projects, bridging offline and online communication to ensure project success.
Brand Strategist
Designit
03.2006 - 12.2006
- One of the first 3 employees in the office start-up in Copenhagen. For this product and graphic design agency I worked with primary research and strategic planning for some of the largest business associations in Denmark. The main project was the rebranding of Dansk Handel og Service to Dansk Erhverv.
Brand & Communications Consultant
Kühl+Co
02.2003 - 03.2006
- In this graphic design agency, I project managed corporate identity projects and served as chief editor for corporate magazines and newsletters.
Marketing Consultant/Planner
Graymatter
08.2001 - 02.2003
- I worked in this advertising and media agency as a Marketing Consultant alongside post-graduate studies and continued in the role after graduation. Main projects were for Supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The work was heavily researching oriented and onsite event marketing planning work.
Export/Import Coordinator
Nissenpack
08.1998 - 07.2001
- Nissenpack was a sup supplier of furniture fittings to large Furniture companies including IKEA, Tvilum and Jysk. I started as a junior export sales assistant, quickly becoming responsible for Norwegian and Swedish markets, then I switched to the import department, where I placed and managed orders from Taiwan, Italy, France and Germany.
Researcher
BJM Research & Consultancy
08.1997 - 07.1998
- Worked as a researcher alongside bachelor studies in London, planning and executing Tele-research and customer satisfaction projects for clients such as Citroën, BT, and Shell.
Marketing Trainee
Konica Minolta Business Solutions
06.1996 - 12.1996
- As part of my bachelor program, I completed a 7-month placement at KONICA-MINOLTA's European headquarters in Hannover, Germany. Worked as a marketing assistant to the European Marketing Manager, focusing on product training, product brochures, and environmental marketing. Responsible for creating an Environmental Handbook for all Minolta copiers and printers.
Education
Master of Science - Service Design And Digitalization
IT Universitetet
Copenhagen, Denmark 04.2001 -
Master of Science - Interaction Design And Methodology
IT Universitetet
Copenhagen, Denmark 04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Marketing Communications
University Of Westminster
London 04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Marketing Communications
University Of Westminster
London 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - International Business Administration
South Bank University
London 04.2001 -
Skills
Design thinking
Product roadmapping
Product portfolio management
Value proposition development
Cross functional leadership
Data-driven decision making
Business model development
Teamwork and collaboration
Jira, atlassian, rally
Business planning
Scrum framework
Product vision and strategy
Timeline
Head of Product Portfolio DACH
Nexi
09.2024 - Current
Value Stream Manager
Nexi
10.2023 - 09.2024
Vertical Proposition Manager, Pan European Retail
Nexi
01.2023 - 10.2023
Commercial Proposition Manager
Nexi
09.2020 - 01.2023
Proposition Manager
Telenor
03.2018 - 09.2020
Owner
Ixobob Holding
01.2016 - 01.2020
Head Of Customer Experience
Sopra Steria
11.2015 - 2018
Director International Business Development
Valtech
09.2014 - 11.2015
Sales Director
Creuna
12.2012 - 09.2014
US Digital Practice Lead
Valtech
08.2010 - 12.2012
Engagement Director & Project Team Lead
Valtech
12.2006 - 08.2010
Brand Strategist
Designit
03.2006 - 12.2006
Brand & Communications Consultant
Kühl+Co
02.2003 - 03.2006
Marketing Consultant/Planner
Graymatter
08.2001 - 02.2003
Master of Science - Service Design And Digitalization
IT Universitetet
04.2001 -
Master of Science - Interaction Design And Methodology
IT Universitetet
04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Marketing Communications
University Of Westminster
04.2001 -
Master of Arts - Marketing Communications
University Of Westminster
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - International Business Administration
South Bank University
04.2001 -
Export/Import Coordinator
Nissenpack
08.1998 - 07.2001
Researcher
BJM Research & Consultancy
08.1997 - 07.1998
Marketing Trainee
Konica Minolta Business Solutions
06.1996 - 12.1996