Kerem KANDEMIR

Summary

Planning & CI Manager leading end-to-end production planning, material planning, warehouse operations, and continuous improvement across complex manufacturing environments. Aligns demand, capacity, and delivery commitments while driving MES and APS-ERP integration to improve planning visibility and execution control. Cuts planning cycle time, strengthens shop-floor synchronization, and removes bottlenecks through Kaizen, 5S, and VSM initiatives.

Overview

2

Languages

2

Certifications

13

years of professional experience

Work History

Planning & CI Manager

ELTAŞ Transformers INC.

İzmir

01.2024 - 11.2025

Leadership of end-to-end planning operations for power, distribution and dry-type transformers; aligned demand, capacity, materials and delivery commitments.
Led a 35+ member organization across Production Planning, Material Planning, Warehouse Operations and Continuous Improvement functions supporting multiple manufacturing operations.
Led MES deployment and APS-MES-ERP integration initiatives to improve planning visibility, shop-floor synchronization and execution control within an Engineer-to-Order manufacturing environment.
Developed and implemented ASPROVA APS scheduling logic by machine and workstation capability, reducing planning cycle time by approximately 75% while improving scheduling responsiveness and execution stability.
Digitalized capacity/occupancy/efficiency calculations to prevent production losses and optimize resource utilization through performance analytics.
Leadership of CI portfolio (5S, Kaizen, VSM and site-level CIP initiatives) to remove bottlenecks and improve end-to-end flow.
Led integration projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and technical specifications.

Senior Production & Material Planning Specialist

Hitachi Energy

İstanbul

04.2021 - 12.2023

Conversion of consolidated sales forecasts into MPS/build schedules; controlled daily/weekly master schedules for firm and released orders.
Execution of demand-supply balance analysis at product family and master schedule levels; proposed alternatives and escalation packs when demand could not be met.
Establishment of KPIs for master plan accuracy; executed root cause analysis on service issues (late shipments, shortages, schedule changes, cancellations).
Served as SAP S/4HANA SME for PP/MM/IM-WM/EWM processes during brownfield transformation and IM-to-EWM migration projects, supporting design, testing, user acceptance and stabilization activities.
Development and deployment of management reports for operational levels and capacity analyses; ensured alignment with planning policies and governance standards.
Devised and implemented efficient processes for production tracking and inventory control.
Managed stakeholder communication, ensuring alignment on project goals and deliverables.

Production and Inventory Control Supervisor

Otokar Automotive and Defence INC.

11.2018 - 03.2021

Owned replenishment process for manufacturing lines and processed vehicles; ensured systematic confirmations and inventory availability.
Management of stock and control operations; implemented inventory control policies across military and commercial vehicle manufacturing operations.
Analyzed stock deviations and prepared counting reports; monitored COGI (Controlling Goods Issued) and resolved daily SAP exceptions.
Design of improvement initiatives to reduce inefficient workflows and labor impact; reported inventory cost drivers and KPI impacts to top management.
Delivered SAP enhancements/projects: cycle counting module and custom transactions; automated variance analysis logic with ABAP collaboration.

Planning Supervisor (Apple Operations)

DB Schenker

Kocaeli

11.2016 - 11.2018

Leadership of capacity planning (stations/operators/equipment/storage) and weekly/quarterly resource planning based on forecast data.
Execution of Route-to-Market order processing within SLAs (B2B/B2C/Retail) and managed direct shipments for special events.
Prepared daily/weekly performance reports and ran governance calls with Customer Head Office (Ireland) and Apple Finance.
Owned financial budget planning reports and designed revenue/process reporting packs; coordinated global projects with DB Schenker global teams.
Improved planning-operation communication and monitored daily order execution issues end-to-end.

Purchasing & Planning Engineer

Murat Wiring INC.

09.2015 - 11.2016

Built and tracked RFQs, ran supplier negotiations and managed order lifecycle (open/update/cancel/increase) aligned with production planning and sales.
Applied JIT-oriented inventory strategy to increase throughput and efficiency; monitored stock levels and reported performance.
Management of imports/customs tracking and supplier performance evaluations; executed material resupply/returns for non-conforming parts.
Operated materials processes within SAP/ERP and supporting tools; revised MRP-based orders with customer demand changes.
Sourced alternative suppliers for long lead-time materials and ran bid evaluations for cost and service competitiveness.

Project Management Specialist (Non-Permanent)

Etki Academy

02.2015 - 06.2015

Design of branding and institutionalization projects for companies.
Built profit-improvement projects via disposal/support initiatives for customers.

Planning Intern

Çelik Halat ve Tel Sanayiı (CELHA)

08.2012 - 10.2012

Conducted machine efficiency measurements and time studies; prepared production time study reports.
Supported production planning and production improvement studies on shop-floor processes.

Education

B.Sc. - Industrial Engineering

Girne American University

01-2014

Skills

S&OP / IBP, Demand Planning & Supply Planning, MPS/MRP, RCCP and Capacity Planning

Production Planning & Scheduling (APS), shop-floor execution alignment (MES), ETO planning

Inventory governance (RM/WIP/FG), Service Level & Backlog Management, Shortage Management

SAP S/4HANA key user / SME: PP, MM, WM/EWM, IM; brownfield transformation & stabilization

Warehouse design / WMS-EWM processes, cycle counting, stock variance analytics

Continuous Improvement: Kaizen, 5S, VSM, DMAIC; KPI design, root cause & corrective actions

Program / Project Management, Cross-Functional Governance, C-level reporting

SAP S/4HANA: PP, MM, WM/EWM, IM (key user/SME); master data governance and process design

APS / MES / ERP integration; reporting and analytics for capacity, efficiency and delivery

Lean & CI: Kaizen, 5S, VSM, DMAIC; KPI governance and problem solving

Certification

Entrepreneurship — KOSGEB

Timeline

Planning & CI Manager - ELTAŞ Transformers INC.

01.2024 - 11.2025

Senior Production & Material Planning Specialist - Hitachi Energy

04.2021 - 12.2023

Production and Inventory Control Supervisor - Otokar Automotive and Defence INC.

11.2018 - 03.2021

Planning Supervisor (Apple Operations) - DB Schenker

11.2016 - 11.2018

Purchasing & Planning Engineer - Murat Wiring INC.

09.2015 - 11.2016

Project Management Specialist (Non-Permanent) - Etki Academy