Karine BERNARD
Responsable de zone export, SUBRENAT SAS
My name is Karine Bernard, I live in Amiens, North of Paris, France.
After my degree in Foreign Languages and Area Studies (English - Russian) at University of Poitiers (France), I chose to focus on Eastern European and Russian speaking markets during a degree of Languages and International Trade specialised on these markets. Thanks to these studies, I acquired solid acquaintances in international trade , which I used during 3 internships in different structures, in France and abroad (France, Great Britain, Ukraine).
These studies and the different professionnal experience I had enabled me to join the Tarkett Group, world leader in floorcoverings.
I started working in sales administration in order to get familiar with the global Tarkett group product offer.
Very attracted by operationnal sales, I integrated Polystyl, a subsidiary of the Tarkett group distributing vinyl floorcovering, in order to develop sales and margins in Eastern Europe, Americas and the French Islands. I also managed two commisionned agents in Northern Germany. My customers and prospects were, for the residential side, DIY chains, importing wholesale companies or independant retailers. For commercial sales, I was in contact mostly with prescribing companies and architects.
In order to go on with my export experience on another field, I chose to join Subrenat in 2010. Subrenat is creating solutions and operating supply-chain for different branches of the textile industry. In the Home Textile department, I was in charge of sales for Northern Germany, Scandinavia, Baltic States and Russian speaking countries, promoting our textile solutions especially to the quilt & pillow industrial manufacturers.
Eager to find a position in which I could work in the decoration sector, using my good background textile knowledge, and working both with residential and commercial projects, I integrated the French Toulouse based editor company Elitis ( www.elitis.fr )in January 2012. Elitis is creating and editing high-end to luxury wallpapers, wallcoverings, home textiles and furniture. Creation is the heart of the company, with original and beautiful designs produced on the finest and most original materials. I am in charge of developing our business in Germany, Scandinavia, Central & Eastern Europe, Russia and former CIS-countries and Central Asia, through a network of distributors, agents or in direct sales. A good challenge !
86 contacts2006 - 2010I am responsible for "great export" sales : I prospect and develop sales on the following markets : Eastern Europe, North and South America, Franch Islands - all these are direct markets. I also cover Northen Germany, where I manage 2 commissioned agents.
In 2 years, sales increased by 10% on my markets, and I attracted 3 key accounts.
2005 - 2006I worked as a Sales administration assistant, for the UK division. I processed orders, worked in the after sales department and answered customers calls.
2005 - 2005Written translation, live translation of following languages : Russian - French - English
Follow-up of Russian speaking customers
2004 - 2004I was responsible of purchasing the textile and accessories raw material for the current collection. Sourcing was made in South-East Asia. I was also in charge of dealing with logistics (customs and freight) for the purchase material.