Magne Kinn Backe

Magne Kinn Backe

Manager & Partner

Experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry with senior executives in a Fortune 500 company. Background as a Global leader with related B2C commercial management roles. Strong track record as a consultant the last 4 years.

Magne Kinn Backe, Co-Founder and current Manager & Partner at Forma5, brings over 30 years of international experience in the retail industry. Magne have had a remarkable journey from Nordic Markets to Global Success. Magne’s career path spans from local Nordic markets to the grand stage of Fortune 500 enterprises. His proven track record shines through as he meticulously crafts global category strategies that not only deliver exceptional financial results, but also elevate market presence and enhance operational performance. Magne’s expertise is a beacon of excellence in the retail industry.

Key Highlights

Head of Merchandising, Europe (CK)

Magne’s leadership extends across all merchandising categories in convenience retailing. He has acted as Vice President for Convenience Europe during an interim period, contributing to the development of innovative store concepts.

Director of Private Brand, Europe (CK)

Magne’s responsibility spans both food and non-food categories, driving Private Brand development across Europe.

Driving Impulse and Merchandising Categories

Magne has full category responsibility for packed beverages, candy & snacks, tobacco, and more across Europe. His expertise lies in developing merchandising strategies that optimize in-store sales.

Space Management and Category Expertise

From supplier to retailer perspective, Magne excels in space management, floor planning, and category management processes. He played a pivotal role in setting up full convenience processes in a new ERP solution.

Hot Beverage Visionary

Responsible for hot beverages in 9 European markets, Magne was part of the global team that built a customer-focused offer on Hot Beverage. His work resulted in 1,500 new coffee destinations in Europe , earning 6 awards for best tasting coffee and innovative coffee concepts.

Consulting Successes

Category Management for Rema 1000 a leading Nordic grocery chain. Magne excelled in growing defined categories, optimizing Rema 1000’s offerings. This based on his careful and precise attention to detail in the categories and at the same time great collaboration with clients category team, store managers and senior executives Magne have also established new private label categories, from assortment strategy to execution and implementation.

Rebuilding category management for Cepsa (Spain): Magne’s innovative thinking transformed Cepsa’s way of thinking category management. Leading key analytical projects, creating partnerships with new suppliers, new product offers and at the same time reducing numbers of Sku’s. This have lead to a new way of working. Magne was the owner off Cepsas new full merchandising step up program

Magne wealth of experience and strategic vision make him an invaluable asset to Forma 5 newest Black Sheep project. He play a central role in analysing their value chain and find the weak spots where they need improvement.