Merita Korkalainen

Operations Manager ▶️ Back Office, Business Operations, Process Development & Operational Excellence at Kotimaailma Apartments Finland
  • Claim this Profile
Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, FI
Languages
  • English Professional working proficiency
  • Finland Native or bilingual proficiency

Topline Score

Topline score feature will be out soon.

Bio

Generated by
Topline AI

5.0

/5.0
/ Based on 1 ratings
  • (1)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)

Filter reviews by:

Sini Honkanen

Merita was my manager at The Body Shop for 2,5 years. For one year I was working as her assistant as a Assistant Store Manager, so we worked very closely together. She has taught me a lot and I'm forever thankful for it! As a manager Merita is supportive, effective and committed. She truly wants to find the best qualities of all of her team members and is always down to help them, around the clock. It feels like she always has new ideas to improve the current situation and they usually have great outcomes. She has a true passion and professional skills for management, customer service, sales and marketing.

You need to have a working account to view this content.
Join now
You need to have a working account to view this content.
Join now

Credentials

  • Entrepreneur course
    Naisyrittäjyyskeskus
    Mar, 2010
    - Nov, 2024
  • Renewal of the sales and service concept
    Trainers'​ House
    Aug, 2007
    - Nov, 2024
  • Sales training: Key figures & KPI-metrics, shop operations, attitude & culture ▶ Shop Manager the Bestseller way, Denmark
    BESTSELLER
    Apr, 2006
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

  • Kotimaailma Apartments Finland
    • Finland
    • Hotels and Motels
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Operations Manager ▶️ Back Office, Business Operations, Process Development & Operational Excellence
      • Nov 2022 - Present

      - Lead a team of 3-4 staff (FTEs and subcontractors) - Report to Chief Operative Officer COO I am responsible for everyday operations, after-sales operations, customer service, customer onboarding, invoicing, and cash flow. ✅ Ensure customer expectations (B2B & B2C) are met through running a customer-focused and efficient operation. Company Info: Home@Work Oy, Kotimaailma Apartments offers accommodation in 200+ furnished apartments in almost 50 locations in Finland, Estonia, and Spain. Show less

  • The Body Shop
    • United Kingdom
    • Retail
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Area Manager ▶️ Sales & Head of Country Operations Management, Business Development & Processes
      • Feb 2021 - Nov 2022

      - Led teams of up to 50 - Responsible for 19 stores in Finland - Reported to Managing Director, Finland, and Head Franchise Business Manager, Nordics✅ Managed Sales and Operations during the pandemic, conducted layoffs, implemented store-based working hours plans, and led virtual teams. ✅ Focused on motivational team leadership post-pandemic, getting staff back on track with sales targets and normal working hours.✅ Improved profitability and sales performance by creating and implementing a successful cost optimization and sales strategy.✅ Reopened and refurbished the concept store in Koskikeskus Tampere in accordance with the new customer journey strategy from UK HQ. Managed the schedule and a 100K€ budget for subcontractors and materials. Show less

    • Store Manager ▶️ Retail Sales Management, Profitability Development & Business Operations
      • Aug 2017 - Feb 2021

      - Led a team of 20 across the two stores- Reported to Area Manager✅ Improved profitability in both stores and met sales targets. ✅ Implemented the best practice and tools used in Itäkeskus. Result: the Jumbo store became the company’s most profitable unit in Finland. ✅ Optimized inventory costs through campaigns and customer loyalty events. ✅ Minimized employee costs by planning efficient work hours.✅ Managed operations during pandemic.

    • Store Manager ▶️ Business Profitability, Operations Development, Sales Management & Leadership
      • Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

      - Led a team of 8- Reported to Area Manager✅ Achieved a store turnaround by improving teamwork and bringing in fashion retail sales best practices and proven customer service models. ✅ Developed efficient working models, keeping employee costs at a minimum. ✅ Optimized inventory rotation for better cash flow. ✅ Hit sales targets and improved store profitability based on successful sales strategies, effective marketing campaigns, and a focus on employee development.Company Info: Country Organization Bodim Port Oy. The Body Shop is a global cosmetics company with 27 stores in Finland as well as an online presence. Product range includes hundreds of skincare, hair and makeup products based on natural ingredients. Show less

  • Kauppakeskus Jumbo-Flamingo
    • Finland
    • Leasing Non-residential Real Estate
    • Board Member
      • Jan 2018 - Feb 2021

      Member of the Board of the Entrepreneurs' Association. Planned commercial events, scheduled upcoming maintenance and service actions. Supported development of the shopping centre’s operations, sales & marketing. Member of the Board of the Entrepreneurs' Association. Planned commercial events, scheduled upcoming maintenance and service actions. Supported development of the shopping centre’s operations, sales & marketing.

  • Luhta Sportswear Company
    • Finland
    • Retail Apparel and Fashion
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Store Manager ▶️ Business Operations, Process Development & Operative Sales Management
      • Mar 2013 - Aug 2014

      - Led a team of 6 - P&L responsibility for the store - Reported to Area Manager ✅ Developed and executed a solution sales strategy for stylists to personalize sales pitches. ✅ Planned and hosted customer loyalty events. ✅ Improved sales practices and training. ✅ Set sales performance targets, and monitored key figures (incl. margins and profitability). ✅ Kept operations profitable and achieved sales targets. Store was recognized for exceptional sales results. Company Info: L-Fashion Group is a family owned Finnish sport and fashion company with approximately 12 brands. The Group’s products are sold all over the world. Show less

  • BESTSELLER
    • Denmark
    • Apparel & Fashion
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Business Operations Manager, House Manager ▶️ Country Operations Development & Profitability
      • Mar 2011 - Feb 2013

      - Led a team of four Store Managers and People Ops Managers - Reported to Country Manager- P&L responsibility for all four stores. Based on my outstanding performance I was promoted from Store Manager to People Operations Manager, and later Business Operations Manager for four stores (VERO MODA, ONLY, PIECES and Jack & Jones).Responsible for sales, budgets, profit, reports, and financial performance. ✅ Monitored sales, performance, purchasing, and inventory reports. ✅ Improved sales and financial performance. ✅ Ensured profitability while confronting market challenges, continuously changing customer demand, and the implementation of digitization processes.✅ Improved customer service model effectiveness, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.✅ Optimized purchasing and employee costs according to company strategy. ✅ Recruited excellent store managers and developed their leadership capabilities. Show less

    • People Management Manager ▶️ Business HR, Human Resources Development HRD & Recruitment Operations
      • Oct 2010 - Mar 2011

      - Reported to Retail Manager- Responsible for 50-60 employees in four stores ✅ Led recruitment, onboarding, and sales training, including development of training workshops and manuals.✅ Scheduled working hours. ✅ Managed all HR issues and employment contracts.✅ Improved customer service quality.

    • Store Manager ▶️ Sales & Business Operations Management, Process Improvement & Development
      • Feb 2006 - Sep 2010

      As Store Manager, I led a team of 15. Reported to Area Manager, being responsible for store P/L, reposted weekly on the KPIs.✅ Led store renovation including visuals, product, and commercial planning; stayed within budget.✅ Managed long-term and short-term purchasing.✅ Ensured profitability.✅ Monitored sales reports.✅ Hit sales targets of approx. 2,5M€ annually.✅ Evaluated our customer profile and listened to customer feedback.✅ Built a customer service model with Trainers' House, improving customer experience.✅ Set personal sales targets and performance KPIs for each sales clerk, delegated responsibility according to their strengths and potential. ✅ Arranged sales target competitions to keep the team motivated.✅ Organized monthly group training and development workshops to share best practice.Company Info: Country Organization Bestseller Wholesale Finland Oy. Bestseller is one of the world’s largest fashion store companies with 20+ global brands. Show less

  • Seppälä
    • Finland
    • Retail
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Store Manager ▶️ Leadership, Commercial & Operational Excellence, Growth & New Business Development
      • Aug 2004 - Jan 2006

      As a Store Manager, I led a team of 10-20 FTEs. Reported to Area Manager. ✅ I shut down the Galleria store and opened a store in the newly opened Sello Commercial Center within one month.✅ Implemented new sales system.✅ Retrained staff.✅ Managed marketing campaigns. ✅ Achieved profitable growth from the first month.

    • Department Manager ▶️ Sales & Operations Management, Operational Excellence & Business Development
      • Mar 2003 - Jul 2004

      Worked as Womenswear Department Manager. Reported to the Store Manager. ✅ Responsible for visual merchandising and campaigns.✅ Proactively improved the commercial aspect of the store.

    • Sales Clerk ▶️ Retail Operations, Sales Processes & Customer Service
      • Feb 2002 - Feb 2003

      ✅ Worked as a Sales Clerk with cosmetics and underwear sales.Company Info: Seppälä Oy was a Finnish clothing chain selling women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics. In December 2013, Seppälä had 210 stores in Finland, Russia and the Baltic countries. Seppälä had its own Finnish design team, which created collections for the chain's own brands. The company, founded by the Seppälä family and long managed by siblings Liisa Lipsanen and Hannu Seppälä, was sold to Stockmann in 1988. Stockmann sold the loss-making Seppälä to Eveliina and Timo Melentjeff in 2015. Seppälä Oy and Seppälä Finland Oy were declared bankrupt on in 2017. Show less

  • Stockmann
    • Finland
    • Retail
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Cosmetic Consultant ▶️ Sales Operations & Global Brands, Customer Service Professional & Advisor
      • Nov 1998 - May 2001

      Worked as a Cosmetic Consultant. I started as a seasonal worker but was quickly recruited by L'Oréal as I proved myself capable of working under pressure while remaining proactive with clients. ✅ Advised clients at L'Oréal, Lancôme, Helena Rubinstein, and Biotherm points of sale. ✅ KPIs: personal sales targets and customer satisfaction. Worked as a Cosmetic Consultant. I started as a seasonal worker but was quickly recruited by L'Oréal as I proved myself capable of working under pressure while remaining proactive with clients. ✅ Advised clients at L'Oréal, Lancôme, Helena Rubinstein, and Biotherm points of sale. ✅ KPIs: personal sales targets and customer satisfaction.

Education

  • Professional Makeup Center, Helsinki
    Make-up artist
    1998 - 1999
  • Jyväskylä Technical Vocational School
    Beautician
    1995 - 1998

Community

You need to have a working account to view this content. Click here to join now