Liyou Zewide
Barcelona
Summary
Operations and product professional with experience building and scaling brands, managing large business portfolios, and coordinating international supply chains across Europe, China, and the Middle East. Proven ability to lead end-to-end product development, onboard and train thousands of users, and manage cross-functional teams across multiple regions. Strong background in global sourcing, production coordination, and digital growth enablement in fast-paced environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Product & Brand Development Consultant
The Cold Wool Co.
2023.05 - Current
- Leading the development of 4 brands from concept to production readiness across apparel, cosmetics, artisan goods, and retail concepts
- Managing the full product development lifecycle including sampling, material sourcing, and pre-production planning
- Defined product positioning, packaging, and brand direction for successful market launch, ensuring alignment with target audience and brand identity
- Coordinated manufacturers, workshops, and production teams for seamless preparation of full-scale production, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards
- Established global supply chains across Europe, China, and the Middle East through supplier sourcing, negotiation, and material selection to streamline production processes
- Acting as the central operations lead between founders, suppliers, and production stakeholders across multiple concurrent projects
Product Manager Intern
Wall Street Institute
Barcelona
2022.09 - 2023.02
- Coordinated product delivery cycles with engineering and design teams to ensure alignment across international markets
- Analyzed product performance and user behavior, identifying key growth and retention opportunities
- Designed and implemented automated communication campaigns, increasing user engagement by 35%
- Led user engagement initiatives, achieving 85% KPI completion rate
- Managed user feedback and App Store reviews, translating insights into targeted product enhancements
Project Manager
Hidden Leather Products
2022.04 - 2022.09
- Managed end-to-end product and project delivery, resulting in 93% on-time execution
- Developed go-to-market strategies that increased product adoption by 30%
- Conducted risk assessments for new product initiatives, ensuring continuity and successful delivery
- Built and maintained international client relationships, contributing to 20% increase in retention
Product Operations & Digital Growth Manager
Africa 118
2021.10 - 2022.04
- Managed portfolio of 500+ SMEs across East Africa, driving digital growth and enhancing business optimization
- Led onboarding and registration of 1000+ businesses on Google Business Profile, increasing visibility and facilitating customer acquisition
- Delivered training programs to thousands of business owners across multiple regions on leveraging digital tools for growth
- Coordinated team of 6 web developers to deliver websites and digital solutions tailored for SMEs
- Designed and implemented scalable onboarding and training processes for large business cohorts
- Acted as the main coordination point between technical teams, business owners, and stakeholders
Research Assistant
Tufts University
2020.02 - 2020.09
- Collected and recorded field data for structured research studies, enhancing accuracy and consistency in reporting
- Developed survey schedules and screened 20+ participants for research eligibility
- Conducted in-person and telephone interviews following standardized research protocols
- Maintained data integrity and documentation for inclusion in The Journeys Project database
- Created original illustrations for published research materials, adapting to COVID-19 restrictions by replacing field photography
- Produced visual assets for academic publications and institutional platforms, increasing the visibility of research findings
- Field Research Project, Nairobi
Marketing Communications Officer
Ahadu Advertising
Addis Ababa
2018.03 - 2020.02
- Developed and executed marketing strategies for 10+ clients, enhancing brand visibility across multiple industries
- Executed integrated marketing campaigns across digital, social media, and communication channels, driving audience engagement
- Led brand identity and creative direction for 70% of client projects
- Maintained strong client relationships, contributing to 80% referral and repeat business rate
- Contributed to quarterly and annual strategic planning sessions with senior leadership, aligning marketing initiatives with business goals
- Conducted research and campaign analysis to optimize performance and resource allocation
Education
Master's Degree - Future Technologies & Innovation in Entrepreneurship
HTL International School
Barcelona, Spain2023-01
Bachelor's Degree - Fine Arts (Printmaking)
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia2018-01
Skills
- Market strategy and product strategy
- Brand development
- Product operations and lifecycle management
- Digital growth and business enablement
- Program and portfolio management
- Global sourcing and supplier management
- Supply chain coordination
- Stakeholder management
- Agile project management
- Project management tools (Jira, Trello, Asana)
- Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
- Team collaboration (Slack)
Websites
Certification
- Product Management Certification, Udemy, 2024
- Foundations of Project Management, Coursera, 2021
Languages
- Amharic - Native
- English - Professional Proficiency
- Spanish - Basic
Timeline
Product & Brand Development Consultant
The Cold Wool Co.
2023.05 - Current
Product Manager Intern
Wall Street Institute
2022.09 - 2023.02
Project Manager
Hidden Leather Products
2022.04 - 2022.09
Product Operations & Digital Growth Manager
Africa 118
2021.10 - 2022.04
Research Assistant
Tufts University
2020.02 - 2020.09
Marketing Communications Officer
Ahadu Advertising
2018.03 - 2020.02
Master's Degree - Future Technologies & Innovation in Entrepreneurship
HTL International School
Bachelor's Degree - Fine Arts (Printmaking)
Addis Ababa University