Line Thorsen

Merchandising, Commercial & Product Leadership | Product Strategy, Go-to-market & Business Growth

Denmark

About

International Product & Marketplace Leader with 10+ years of experience driving strategy, category management & growth for Footwear, Apparel & Accessories across EMEA. Skilled at connecting consumer insight, to product opportunities & commercial execution, to deliver results across retail and wholesale channels in 60+ markets. Experienced in omni-channel product and marketplace management, driving brand relevance and commercial growth across diverse markets. Skilled in product strategy & identifying macro and micro opportunities that strengthen consumer connection and marketplace impact. Deep understanding of product innovation, materials, and technical construction within footwear & apparel categories. Deeply engaged in outdoor sport and active lifestyle, with a passion for creating meaningful connections through product, people, & experience. I bring a proven ability to connect commercial execution with long-term strategy, enabling organisations to expand into new markets, grow revenue, and build stronger consumer connections.

Experience

  • Nike (10 yrs 10 mos)
    • Senior Manager, Product Strategy & Marketplace, EMEA, Converse, (Nike Inc.)
      Dec 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 8 mos

      • Led product strategy and marketplace management for footwear, apparel & accessories, across Europe, Africa & Middle East (60+ countries). • Partnered with key accounts, licensees & distributors to deliver product excellence across Wholesale channels and Direct-to-Consumer. • Drove end-to-end go-to-market execution, aligning product strategy, assortments, pricing and lifecycle planning with commercial targets and channel needs. • Acted as a commercial and merchandising sparring partner to country teams. • Contributed to short- and long-term commercial strategy, balancing revenue growth, margin, customer mix and sales structure across markets. • Shaped market growth strategies by analyzing consumer insights, trends, and competitive dynamics. • Played a key role in market expansion into Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe & Turkey, building entry strategies, tailored marketplace plans that enabled growth. • Developed segmentation and differentiation strategies to strengthen brand positioning, consumer relevance and retail productivity. • Acted as a central connector between global strategy and local market execution, collaborating with regional and market teams to translate direction into actionable retail and assortment priorities. • Regularly traveled across EMEA markets, working hands-on with local teams and experiencing local markets, consumers & stores first-hand to identify opportunities to improve product relevance, assortment strategies, and in-store execution.

    • Merchandiser Womens Footwear, Western Europe, Converse (Nike Inc.)
      May 2017 - Nov 2018 · 1 yr 7 mos

      • Drove seasonal line planning and product lifecycle management to maximize brand and revenue potential across 15 Western European markets. • Applied consumer insights and market trends to shape product strategy, consumer & channel relevant assortments and elevate the retail experience. • Conducted competitor and marketplace analysis to identify growth opportunities. • Supported go-to-market execution through seasonal storytelling, product presentations, and sell-in readiness.

    • Store Openings Project Manager, DTC, Converse (Nike Inc.)
      Oct 2016 - Apr 2017 · 7 mos

      • Project Management of 11 Store Openings across Western Europe • End to end coordination with all stakeholders involved in store openings from kick-off to opening of store • Creating, implementing & rolling out Converse EMEA Store Opening Program

  • Early Career Experience at McDonald's Denmark, Kammeradvokaten, Cxense, Sebastopol
    Jul 2008 - Aug 2015 · 7 yrs 2 mos

    Communications Coordinator | Cxense • Supported digital communications & big data projects - developed presentations & coordinated stakeholder updates. Restaurant & Bar Manager | Sebastopol • Managed daily operations & customer experience. Built strong leadership & service skills in a high-pressure environment. Receptionist | Kammeradvokaten • Front office coordinator & client service at a leading law firm. Crew Member | McDonald's Denmark • Built strong teamwork, efficiency & service foundation in a structured environment known for training & operational excellence.