JILLE KUIPERS
New Product Leader & Digital Transformation Expert
Netherlands Passport holder | Hong Kong Permanent Resident
linkedin.com/in/jillekuipers
Executive Summary
Senior Product and Innovation Manager with 10+ years of global experience leading complex digital transformation projects and optimizing financial performance across Fortune 500 organizations and startups. Expert in translating strategic vision into data-centric processes, specialized in bridging the gap between massive portfolio management (€300M+) and end-to-end digital propositions.
Strategy & Execution
Agile, Scrum, Lean, Idea-to-Market (I2M), Business Case Development, Multi-year Investment Planning.
Digital & IoT
Cloud Platform Deployment, IoT Interaction Design, SaaS/LaaS Business Models, AI Integration.
Pricing/ Finance
Value-based Pricing, Portfolio Rationalization, Gross Margin Optimization, PVMC Reporting.
Professional Experience
Co-founder and Innovation Manager
LUXBALANCE | Hong Kong
- / Founded Y-Combinator recognized startup, scaling from 0 to $1.7M annual sales through end-to-end innovation.
- / Secured 20 proprietary IP positions globally (patents, trademarks, trade secrets) across EU, CN, and USA.
- / Conducted A/B analysis and experiment protocols resulting in 30% faster growth for 10 million lab plants annually.
- / Managed entire digital operations pipeline, including fulfillment across 13 countries and customer success for over 600 orders.
Co-Owner and Marketing Director
Design Indulgence | Hong Kong
- / Part of the Management Team responsible for market strategy and business restructuring during a pivot phase.
- / Defined Idea-to-Market approach for the Sound Art-Works HomeAudio proposition (shown at CES); included market analysis, pricing waterfall, and business modeling.
- / Analyzed financial situation and recommended pivoting to a trading model to improve cash position, ensuring business continuity and the founding of LuxBalance.
Segment Innovation Manager & Project Manager
PHILIPS RESEARCH | Shanghai, China
- / Developed the global standard for business case proposal methodology for Light as a Service (LaaS) projects valued at €0.5M–€5M.
- / Mandated data-centric transition by implementing multi-phase planning, financial modeling, and risk analysis visual dashboards.
- / Managed €2M innovation budgets and mentored cross-functional teams of 7 (scientists, engineers, and designers).
- / Identified market gaps in Industrial lighting, achieving first-mover status and 10% higher gross margins for carmakers like BMW and AUDI.
- / Consistently rated as Role-model with Exceptional results.
Pricing Officer
PHILIPS PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING ASIA PACIFIC
- / Managed pricing and profitability strategy for a >10,000 SKU portfolio generating €300M in annual sales.
- / Implemented value-based pricing strategies, improving gross margins by low single-digit percentages across the business unit.
- / Transformed business segments into needs-based models, explicitly linking product features to monetary value.
- / Pricing is about capturing value, I started to be involved heavily in New product introductions and Front end innovation. Ultimately I was recommended for interal transfer to Philips Research.
Paradigm Buster/ Consultant
NBDA Asia | Singapore
- / Developed innovation audit methodology based on scientific research
- / Developed innovation toolkit and handbook for SMEs in Singapore with suggested roadmap to increase their ability to innovate
- / This assignment was part of my master thesis, and subsequently NBDA recommended me to Philips
Financial Governance
Council Member | Univé
Appointed member of a 20-person council representing one million members for a Dutch insurance cooperative. Responsible for approving annual financial reports and overseeing a €39M turnover entity.
Patents & IP
Co-Inventor: 3 Primary Patents
Inventions focused on personal circadian rhythm devices (2016), sleep/wake-up light scenes (2015), and ease of lighting installation/maintenance (2014).
Strategic Collaborations & Global Projects
Amazon Ecosystem & AWS Integration
Developed sensor systems for the JCCPA for human-centric lighting, utilizing AWS for real-time data monitoring and logging.
High-Impact Digital Installations
Engineered custom lighting for the Spotify (Singapore) 'Tunnel of Fame', blending architectural design with digital control systems.
Global Research & Sustainability
Partnered with Dole, Sumifru, and Del Monte for tissue culture labs and the University of Florida blueberry breeding program.
Innovation Ecosystems
Collaborated with Wageningen University on AgTech research and Common Farms on sustainable urban food production in HK.
Hospitality & UX Innovation
Delivered guest experience lighting for global hospitality leaders including Sheraton, Hilton, Wynn, and Okura.
Regional Execution
Executed complex innovation and digital transformation projects for international clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Education
MSc Business Administration
University of Groningen, Netherlands
Specialization: Business Development & Innovation
Bachelor of Economics
Hanze University of Applied Science, Netherlands
Specialization: Finance & Accounting
Languages
English Professional
Dutch Native
Chinese HSK3 (Elem.)