Melissa Cross

Managing Director at PINCH

London, England, United Kingdom

About

Commercially driven Managing Director with a proven track record of scaling premium consumer brands across EMEA within private equity environments. Extensive experience in full P&L ownership, omnichannel strategy and distributor governance, consistently delivering profitable growth and market expansion. Strategic yet hands-on leader who builds agile, empowered teams and drives disciplined commercial execution to unlock long-term value. - Full P&L Ownership & Value Creation - EMEA Market Expansion - Omnichannel Strategy (Amazon, DTC, Wholesale) - Expert in UK, France & Germany In-Market Commercial Execution - Commercial Transformation & Profitable Growth

Experience

  • Managing Director at PINCH
    Aug 2026 - Present · 4 mos

  • Halo Dream, Inc. (11 yrs 3 mos)
    • General Manager EMEA Halo Dream Inc. ( FKA Aden & Anais ,Inc )
      Sep 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 3 mos

    • Remote
      Present

      Commercially driven General Manager / Managing Director with a proven track record of scaling consumer goods and FMCG brands across EMEA. Brings deep expertise in full P&L ownership, distributor and omnichannel strategy, and market expansion across the UK, Germany, France and international markets. Strategic yet hands-on leader who builds high-performing teams and delivers sustainable, profitable growth in complex, multi-market environments.

    • Sales Director Europe
      May 2017 - Sep 2020 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    • Sales and Business Development Manager Europe
      Sep 2015 - May 2017 · 1 yr 9 mos

  • LeapFrog Toys (7 yrs 9 mos)
    • Head of Sales EMEA Australia & New Zealand
      May 2011 - Aug 2015 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      International Head Of Sales based in the UK - Responsible for LeapFrogs Distributors in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia and New Zealand. Fully Autonomous for P&L, budgets and team management.

    • Senior National Account Manager- UK
      Dec 2007 - Apr 2011 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      Senior Account Manager on LeapFrog’s top 4 accounts namely - Toys’R’Us, Tesco, Amazon and Argos

  • National Account Manager at Revelation Films
    Jan 2006 - Dec 2007 · 2 yrs

    Revelation Films is an award-winning producer and distributor of film, television and home entertainment. It brings best of breed product to the market, partnering companies such as MTV, ITV, the Discovery Network, CBS and Fremantle Media as well as a host of independent and individual producers.

  • Buying Manager - Wedding Shop at Brown Thomas
    Jan 2002 - Dec 2005 · 4 yrs