Experience and career highlights
Commercial development, AI projects and methodology work
Marius Ottesen Consulting
Mandate
In 2026 I have further developed my competence in practical AI, commercial workflow and methodology work through my own AI projects, professional collaboration and continuing education. Marius Ottesen Consulting serves as a professional platform for methodology development, portfolio projects and documentation of experience in commercial leadership, workflow and practical AI — with operational experience from sales and operations.
Approach
The work includes development of apps, platforms, workflows and decision support in areas such as AI maturity, sales development, team development, event planning, customer dialogue and leadership support. Combined commercial leadership experience with further development in AI and practical implementation through custom-built AI projects, AI Value Lab Oslo and the Generative AI for Business master's course at BI. Methodology and structure for individual sales development have also been developed and applied in practical B2B client work, combining coaching, training on real customer situations, leadership alignment and AI-based sales training as support.
Key Outcomes
Developed several custom-built apps, platforms and workflows, including AI Transformation & Value Realization, Control Tower, The Predictive Sales Coach, FlowSignal, Event Planner, SMB Sales Flow Check, AI Readiness Scan, AI-assisted insight and content engine, agentic workflow and AI architecture for decision support. The projects document practical understanding of how technology, commercial and operational insight and user needs can be connected in concrete solutions. Initiator of AI Value Lab Oslo: cross-disciplinary arena for AI learning, experience sharing and exploration of practical problem areas. Contributed as an invited panelist in a professional HR network discussing innovation and AI, as part of broader professional engagement in leadership, transformation and practical AI. Strengthened relevance for permanent leadership roles in commercial leadership, transformation and AI-related business development — including operational experience from sales and operations — through articles, portfolio projects, a published website and portfolio platform and development of Row Solutions with a completed website for rowsolutions.no (not yet publicly published).
National Sales Director
Franzefoss Gjenvinning
Mandate
Appointed to the commercial leadership team to professionalise the sales organisation, elevate market visibility, shift the sales force from reactive to proactive engagement, and accelerate digital adoption in a traditionally analogue industry.
Approach
Restructured the 20-person sales department for greater commercial impact. Deployed rigorous sales processes, modern CRM methodology, real-time digital dashboards, and AI-augmented customer journeys to drive a fundamental shift toward proactive, data-informed selling. Introduced multiple new value-added services.
Key Outcomes
Strengthened market positioning through targeted key-account strategies. Established a new benchmark for data-driven sales management and logistics coordination across 18 operational sites. Improved cross-functional collaboration between sales and operations. Enhanced capacity utilisation, clearer governance, performance-driven KPIs, and margin expansion.
Sales Manager, Consumer Goods
Norengros Johs. Olsen
Mandate
Full P&L accountability for the company's largest division, with a mandate to drive aggressive regional growth and spearhead the strategic transformation initiative 'Forbruk Oslo 2.0'.
Approach
Led end-to-end transformation encompassing workforce planning, IT infrastructure, and logistics. Served as CRM superuser and change agent to modernise commercial processes in a fiercely competitive marketplace.
Key Outcomes
Delivered exceptional revenue growth of 67% over the period. Built a high-performing team that made mission-critical contributions in projects toward the company's NOK 1 billion revenue target.
Founder & Product Developer
MedDrop
Mandate
Identify and address a critical gap in patient safety within medication management through the development of a smart, IoT-enabled medicine dispenser.
Approach
Leading the full innovation lifecycle from concept through to functional prototype. Navigating complex technical architectures, intellectual property strategy, and stringent medtech regulatory frameworks (MDR).
Key Outcomes
Developed a market-ready functional prototype positioned for national and international scale-up. Built deep domain expertise at the intersection of digital health technology and clinical needs.
Sales Manager
Nilfisk
Mandate
Nationwide accountability for the sales organisation, including key account management responsibility for the company's two largest customers. Inherited a situation where declining sales was already established before my appointment, with a mandate to create clearer direction, stronger follow-up and better team execution.
Approach
Set clearer commercial direction and strengthened sales leadership, coaching and follow-up. Drove multiple product launches within a new direction and innovation agenda, including robotics technology, and worked systematically on prioritisation, customer dialogue and performance culture in the team.
Key Outcomes
Turned an established sales decline into growth, exceeded sales targets and strengthened team motivation and performance. Delivered several successful launches in a more innovation- and technology-oriented product direction.
Business Unit Manager
Mundipharma
Mandate
Accountable for shaping and executing the national sales and marketing strategy across critical therapeutic areas within one of the world's leading pharmaceutical organisations.
Approach
Led national sales teams while serving on international strategy committees. Operationalised complex transformation programmes and cultivated strategic partnerships with key opinion leaders (KOLs).
Key Outcomes
Successfully launched and positioned four blockbuster products. Achieved the highest global growth rate and revenue contribution across the entire group during tenure. Personal recipient of the EU Public Relations Award.
Experience and professional platforms
Additional Experience
International Sales
Pelagia: Senior Sales Manager (Europe, USA, Asia).
Strategic Advisory
Assessit: Executive Search & senior leadership selection.