CALIDA is a lingerie company founded in 1941 in Sursee, Switzerland. We started with women’s underwear, but we have long been producing day and nightwear for women, men and children. Today we sell them all over the world. A lot has changed in the past decades, but one thing hasn’t: the goal of producing the best quality. In every single piece. But who is behind CALIDA? Which people contribute with their skills every day to the continuous and sustainable development of the brand? Today we would like to introduce you to five of our valued employees and their personal career tips – representative of all over 1000 great “Yellows” around the world.
We start with our Managing Director Alexandra Helbling. Alexandra has been with CALIDA since 2011. For her, the appeal of her job lies in the opportunity to significantly develop the brand, to contribute her energy and passion and to play a decisive role in shaping the company’s path. She finds it important to be authentic, to stay true to yourself and to stand up for personal values: “Have the courage to do what you strive for!”
Fatih Isik has been Teamlead Visual Merchandising at CALIDA since the end of 2019. In his function, he coordinates the entire Field Visual Merchandising Team Switzerland and Germany, which is responsible for the correct product placement, customer guidance and the design of the sales areas and the shop windows in all stores, areas and pop-ups. In addition, conversions, new buildings and closures are also part of his area of responsibility. His personal tip: “Treat everyone exactly as you would like to be treated yourself.”
Fabienne Meury is our Teamlead Technical Product Development. In 2005 Fabienne started her career as a cutting technician at CALIDA, in 2020 she was appointed Teamlead Technical Product Development. In this role, she leads a team of six and is responsible for the more technical aspects of the products, ie creating patterns and fitting our end products. Her personal career tip: “I think it’s important to show yourself. Show what you can do and be authentic.”
Sonia Oliveira, Head of Social Commerce & Customer Relations, started her career at CALIDA in 2005 as a Customer Service Agent. After a short detour to the CALIDA Group subsidiary Aubade, she returned to CALIDA in 2009, where she was able to get to know different positions in the retail sector. She was appointed Head of Social Commerce & Customer Relations in 2021, where she is now at the forefront of action, capturing and identifying customer needs and shopping experience expectations. Sonia says that CALIDA has shaped her both professionally and personally: “Have all the experiences you can, good and bad. The good ones will do you good, the bad ones will make you strong!”
Jan Michalko is our first Men Expert at CALIDA. Previously working in the catering industry, Jan started as a sales consultant at CALIDA in June 2021 as a career changer in the textile industry. He is now on the road in various stores and involved in many projects such as customer surveys for the further development of the CALIDA men’s segment or live streams for product presentations. What he appreciates most about CALIDA is the open and informal corporate culture as well as the idea of sustainability that is lived every day: “My work with my diverse and challenging tasks fulfills me anew every day and I really enjoy it!”
If you want to find out more about CALIDA as a company, our positions and our values, please visit our homepage!
Interested in a job at CALIDA? Check out the open positions here.