Leif Sunde — Head of Product at Metal 1 Skis
Leif Sunde
Experienced Thought Leader Adept in Business Operations, Project Management, and Strategic Planning
Denver Metropolitan Area | US
Interests
No information
Industries
Snow
Work experience
Metal 1 Skis
Head of Product | 07/2023 - Current
🎿 Passionate leader driving innovation in the ski industry 🚀
As the Head of Product, I am dedicated to shaping the future of skiing by leading a talented team in developing the next generation of ski/snowboard products that enhance the on-snow experience. With a deep passion for the sport and a keen understanding of market trends, I am committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of snowsports worldwide.
Denver Sports Lab, Inc.
President and CEO | 10/2014 - Current
As the President and CEO of Denver Sports Lab in Golden, Colorado since September 2012, I have been at the forefront of the company's success, consistently delivering outstanding results.
💼 Strategic Visionary: Successfully designing and executing comprehensive marketing, financial, personnel management, and business operations plans, I have been instrumental in driving revenue growth while consistently meeting profitability targets.
💰 Financial Expertise: As a seasoned financial strategist, I take charge of leading capital budgeting initiatives and ensure accurate internal and external financial reporting. My quarterly comprehensive financial analyses inform strategic decision-making, contributing to the company's sustainable growth.
🏅 Unmatched Operational Excellence: Overseeing up to 15 concurrent projects, I have maintained the highest industry standards while delivering unparalleled customer service. Efficiently managing the general ledger and implementing effective inventory management have been key aspects of my success.
🏭 Streamlined Operations: My leadership extends to shop operations, where I have played a pivotal role in onboarding and training new staff. By establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), I have streamlined operations for greater efficiency.
🎯 Client-Centric Approach: I prioritize a client-focused approach, consistently providing tailored and effective options for all skill levels that exceed expectations. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything I do.
🌐 Expanding Market Reach: Cultivating ongoing market knowledge, I have fostered competitive market development by establishing strategic marketing partnerships with ski teams and clubs. These efforts have significantly increased the business's visibility and outreach.
Echo Mountain
Consultant | 09/2012 - Current
🎯 As a dedicated professional in the ski industry, I have been instrumental in driving positive change and elevating the success of the resort through my diverse contributions.
🤝 Empowering Youth and Masters Ski Programs: Through my research and establishment of training partnerships with local youth and masters ski programs, I have expanded accessibility for clubs and unlocked new revenue streams for the resort. This initiative has enriched the skiing experience for enthusiasts of all ages.
⛷️ Enhancing Terrain and Guest Experience: My significant involvement in the slope reconfiguration project has led to improved terrain accessibility for new and first-time skiers and riders. The enhanced guest experience resulting from this project has garnered positive feedback and boosted overall satisfaction.
🚀 Driving Continuous Evolution: Actively engaging in ongoing product development, strategic staff planning, and growth strategy initiatives, I have played a pivotal role in propelling the resort's continuous evolution. My forward-thinking approach has been key to staying ahead in the dynamic ski industry.
Various
Industry Consultant | 09/2012 - Current
• Icelantic Skis – Led the comprehensive redesign of products and manufacturing processes, while pioneering the development of innovative demo/sales channels to expand market reach
• 4FRNT Skis – Provided expert consultation to optimize product offerings, specifically targeting the new-skier market segment and was instrumental in establishing new demo/sales channels
• Crosson Skis – Acted as a key product development consultant, offering valuable insights, and conducting thorough testing to enhance the brand's offerings
• Various Other Brands – Developed and implemented demo/sales channels and managed product warehousing, enabling multiple brands to thrive in a competitive ski industry landscape
White Construction Group
Business Development Manager | 07/2018 - 07/2023
During my tenure at White Construction, I demonstrated a remarkable career progression, rising from Preconstruction Coordinator to successful roles as Estimator, Preconstruction Manager, Estimating Manager, and ultimately, Business Development Manager.
📈 A Drive for Profitability: I implemented fee-strategy planning for individual projects, resulting in an outstanding 36% increase in overall profitability. My strong financial acumen allowed me to navigate complex financial landscapes effectively.
🌟 Empowering Employee Success: I spearheaded employee retention efforts by introducing a management-by-objectives (MBO) policy that prioritized safety and recognized individual contributions to company performance. This initiative fostered a motivated and engaged workforce.
📊 Market Optimization: By conducting quarterly and year-end assessments of competition and market performance, I drove a significant 51% increase in the "New Work" metric. This strategy helped identify and capitalize on profitable market segments.
🏗 Streamlined Efficiency: I successfully streamlined department efficiency by approximately 25% through the seamless implementation and transition to a new software suite. My tech-savviness contributed to enhanced productivity and smoother operations.
👥 Adept Leadership and Talent Development: With strong leadership and team-building skills, I effectively managed preconstruction/estimating teams and two cross-functional teams. My emphasis on talent development nurtured a high-performing and cohesive work environment.
TIVOLI DISTRIBUTING CO LLC
Regional Sales Manager | 03/2017 - 05/2018
While with Tivoli Distributing, I oversaw my assigned territory and general growth for Colorado's premier craft beer and liquor distributor. This included managing and training a team of field sales representatives to drive route efficiencies, operational excellence, and improved sales analytics and forecasting.
Tendril
Financial Analyst | 10/2015 - 03/2017
In this role, I was responsible for business case analysis for 10+ budgets on a monthly and special basis and oversaw internal and external financial reporting. This involved tracking against KPI's and technical analysis to measure business performance.
Christy Sports
Assistant Manager | 10/2004 - 07/2012
Advancing within the organization from rental technician to assistant manager, across several locations. I was responsible for delivering and ensuring exceptional customer experience. Specific tasks included: Staff Training and Scheduling, Sales, Inventory Management, Facility Maintenance, and General Ledger Account.
