Linus Van Praet

SUPPLY MANAGER

Evere, Brussels Region, Belgium

About

An experienced management professional with 20 years of experience in both retail and supply chain management, having guided diverse teams. Proven ability to analyse business needs, identify opportunities and develop cost-effective solutions that enhance competitiveness, turnover and customer service , thereby creating added value for people, the environment and the company.

Experience

  • Decathlon Belgium (12 yrs 9 mos)
    • SUPPLY MANAGER, Decathlon Belgium and Luxembourg
      Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

      Responsible for the supply chain in Belgium and Luxembourg. * Focus on the optimalisation of customer experience and market share-growth via correct provisioning and stock level maintenance. * Built two new teams from scratch. Currently creating a newly composed team from the core teams of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ireland. * Managing the logistics transformation, due to the closure of the Belgian warehouse, and implementing a new cross-border collaboration with French, Dutch, and German colleagues. * Pioneer in implementing new supply tools within the Decathlon network. * Creating and implementing alternative supply 'schemes' and processes during the rapidly changing context of the COVID pandemic. * Professional opening of Decathlon Ostend and closure of Decathlon Maldegem. * Up to 2022: successfully combining 2 management roles: namely supply chain management and coaching 4 store managers besides the role of commercial manager water sports B&NL.

    • COMMERCIAL MANAGER WATER SPORTS, Decathlon Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands
      Oct 2013 - Dec 2022 · 9 yrs 3 mos

      Responsible for water sports in the Benelux region. * Realization of continuous annual growth and significant market share-growth in all water sports. * Leading the business growth of sailing sports in Northern Europe, with a focus on the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. * Building, organizing, and managing a team of water sports experts. * Challenging and influencing the worldwide European product portfolio of water sports. * Combined with the management coaching of 4 store directors.

  • RETAIL SUPPLY MANAGER EUROPE, Decathlon France at Decathlon
    May 2011 - Oct 2013 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Responsible for the stock, growth, and profit of the fitness portfolio in the children's segment in Europe. * Aligning commercial and product strategies with production, product and commercial teams. * Active member of the team, negotiating the contract terms in the collaboration between Nike and Decathlon for the European market.

  • Decathlon Belgium - Decathlon group (Decathlon Antwerp)
    • STORE MANAGER, Decathlon Antwerp
      Jan 2008 - May 2011 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      * Ultimately responsible for the ambitious store project, sales, growth and team. * Recruitment and management of the management team.

    • OPERATION MANAGER, Decathlon Antwerp
      Jun 2007 - Dec 2007 · 7 mos

      * Responsible for safety, logistics and maintenance of the store and the surroundings * Acting as the back-up of the store manager for commercial and HR matters

  • DEPARTMENT MANAGER, Decathlon Antwerp at Decathlon Belgium - Decathlon group
    Jun 2005 - Jun 2007 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Responsible for commercial follow-up and marketing for the mountain department, including defining the strategies, the supply and recruiting/training the team.

  • Teacher Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege Brussels at Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege
    Sep 2001 - Jul 2002 · 11 mos

    Teacher for sports, economics and IT in the 1st and 2nd grade of ASO