Cengiz Gozukara
Oakville,Canada
Summary
Strategic business leader with over 30 years of international experience in operational management and organisational transformation across manufacturing, construction, and logistics. Directed multi-site organisations with full accountability for corporate strategy and financial performance, driving project delivery and sustainable growth. Cultivated high-performing teams and strategic partnerships, enhancing brand reputation and achieving measurable results in complex markets.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & President
BURAK CONSTRUCTION & SERVICES INC.
Oakville, Ontario
01.2017 - Current
- Provided executive leadership for privately held construction, real estate development, and project management company, specialising in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments across Ontario, fostering organisational growth.
- Held executive accountability for corporate strategy, P&L management, operational performance, governance, stakeholder engagement, organizational growth, and long-term business sustainability.
- Directed corporate strategy, business development, financial performance, capital planning, investment partnerships, operational leadership, governance, and sustainable growth initiatives, driving long-term business success.
- Led financing strategies, investor relations, banking relationships, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, value engineering, and overall project profitability.
- Negotiated major construction contracts, consultant agreements, supplier contracts, subcontractor packages, and strategic development partnerships while minimizing commercial and operational risk.
- Directed construction and development projects with an aggregate value of approximately CAD $68–70 million on behalf of private investors, development partners, and commercial clients.
- Successfully delivered 27 residential units, including luxury custom homes, while leading phased townhouse developments currently under construction.
- Planned, financed, budgeted, procured, and delivered commercial developments including warehouse/showroom facilities, restaurants, dental clinics, and medical clinics across Ontario.
- Managed annual construction activities averaging CAD $8.8–9.0 million, ensuring profitability, quality, timely delivery, safety compliance, and high levels of client satisfaction.
- Directed all phases of project delivery including feasibility analysis, budgeting, financing, municipal approvals, procurement, construction management, quality assurance, occupancy, and project close-out.
Group Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain
Knit Asia Group
01.2012 - 12.2017
- Directed integrated manufacturing and supply chain operations with over 20,500 employees across production, engineering, procurement, logistics, warehousing, quality assurance, planning, customer fulfilment, and commercial functions, enhancing operational alignment and efficiency.
- Held full executive accountability for annual business volumes exceeding USD $120 million, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, operational performance, and financial results.
- Increased annual business volume from approximately USD $63 million to more than USD $120 million through strategic planning, operational restructuring, Lean Manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and international business development.
- Directed multi-site operations across more than 12 manufacturing facilities while integrating production planning, engineering, procurement, warehousing, logistics, quality assurance, customer fulfillment, and operational reporting.
- Improved operational productivity by approximately 17% through Lean Manufacturing, KPI management, workforce optimization, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence programs.
- Led procurement strategy and initiatives for strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract negotiations, inventory optimisation, and logistics planning, contributing to seamless manufacturing operations.
- Provided executive leadership for manufacturing, engineering, procurement, global sourcing, supply chain, logistics, warehousing, quality, planning, commercial operations, and organizational development.
- Developed long-term executive relationships with shareholders, international customers, financial institutions, strategic suppliers, and global business partners while supporting sustainable organizational growth.
- Reported directly to ownership while leading execution of corporate strategy, organisational restructuring, executive leadership development, and operational transformation, driving sustainable long-term business growth.
- One of South Asia's largest vertically integrated textile and apparel manufacturing organizations.
GENERAL MANAGER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Demir Group
01.2002 - 12.2006
- Held full executive accountability for corporate strategy, P&L management, manufacturing, finance, commercial operations, procurement, supply chain, engineering, logistics, quality assurance, exports, and organisational performance.
- Provided executive leadership for corporate strategy, manufacturing operations, commercial management, financial performance, organisational development, and business expansion.
- Directed annual business planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital investment, financial reporting, and operational performance to align with long-term strategic growth initiatives.
- Directed cross-functional leadership teams across manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, procurement, logistics, quality assurance, finance, and commercial operations.
- Established strategic relationships with government authorities, financial institutions, international customers, suppliers, and commercial partners to drive sustainable business growth and support export expansion.
- Improved manufacturing productivity, operational efficiency, product quality, customer satisfaction, and profitability through Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, KPI management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strengthened operational governance, executive reporting, cost management, risk mitigation, and organisational capability while supporting long-term business performance.
- Led greenfield manufacturing investments from planning through commissioning, including facility design, equipment installation, organisational development, workforce planning, operational stabilization, and business expansion.
- Facilitated operational processes to contribute to development of one of Central Asia's leading export-oriented textile manufacturing organisations.
GENERAL MANAGER
Yadem Textile
01.2002 - 12.2006
- Increased annual business volume from approximately USD $6 million to USD $25 million through strategic business development, operational improvement, customer acquisition, and manufacturing optimization.
- Directed integrated activities in manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, logistics, finance, quality assurance, customer service, and business planning, enhancing operational performance and profitability.
- Led executive functions across manufacturing, finance, procurement, supply chain, logistics, quality, and commercial operations to drive organisational alignment.
- Led organizational restructuring, workforce development, Lean Manufacturing initiatives, operational excellence programs, and profitability improvement projects.
- Strengthened financial performance through disciplined budgeting, forecasting, cost control, operational planning, and executive performance management.
- Oversaw operations of textile manufacturing company, ensuring effective strategies for exporting to international apparel markets.
FACTORY MANAGER
Turkmenbashi Textile Complex
01.1999 - 12.2002
- Managed operations at one of Central Asia's largest vertically integrated textile manufacturing facilities.
- Directed daily manufacturing operations across spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, warehousing, engineering, maintenance, logistics, and quality assurance functions.
- Managed approximately 2,300 employees, enhancing operational efficiency and production output while ensuring product quality and workforce performance.
- Provided operational leadership for manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, production planning, procurement, warehousing, logistics, quality assurance, and workforce management.
- Led production planning, procurement, inventory management, and logistics to ensure seamless operations and timely customer delivery.
- Streamlined productivity and operational performance through Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, achieving greater cost efficiency and inventory accuracy.
- Maintained compliance with international quality standards, Occupational Health & Safety requirements, environmental regulations, and customer specifications.
GENERAL MANAGER
ORSA I – ORSA Group of Companies
01.1995 - 12.1999
- Directed approximately 750 employees across garment manufacturing, centralized dyeing operations, textile printing, logistics, procurement, maintenance, quality assurance, warehousing, and administration.
- Managed integrated manufacturing operations including a 600-employee garment facility, centralized dyeing operations with daily capacity of approximately 50 tons, and textile printing facilities producing approximately 35,000 meters per day.
- Executed corporate strategy across manufacturing, finance, commercial operations, exports, sales, marketing, procurement, logistics, budgeting, and profitability to drive organisational success.
- Directed manufacturing programs supporting internationally recognized brands including Nike and other leading global apparel companies.
- Led strategic planning, capital investment, budgeting, financial planning, operational excellence, customer development, supplier management, and organizational growth initiatives.
- Oversaw monthly business volumes of DEM 2.0–2.5 million, ensuring profitability and maintaining operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Directed operations for leading vertically integrated apparel manufacturing organisation in Türkiye, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
GENERAL COORDINATOR – DOMESTIC MARKET DEVELOPMENT
LC Waikiki
01.1991 - 12.1995
- Developed national sales and distribution networks, strategic customer relationships, and commercial expansion initiatives supporting rapid revenue growth.
- Collaborated with executive management on corporate planning, commercial strategy, customer acquisition, sales development, and nationwide market expansion to align efforts with business objectives.
- Established LC Waikiki's domestic commercial organization during the company's early national expansion, creating a business infrastructure that supported long-term growth across Türkiye.
- Built the company's nationwide wholesale, retail, shop-in-shop, and corner-store commercial model from the ground up.
- Cultivated long-term relationships with distributors, retailers, suppliers, and key commercial partners, reinforcing brand recognition and enhancing customer loyalty.
- Contributed to growth of a company that has become one of Europe's largest international fashion retailers, operating in over 60 countries.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Business Administration
Çukurova University
Adana, Turkiye1989
Skills
- Executive leadership
- Corporate strategy
- Business development
- Manufacturing operations
- Construction management
- Real estate development
- Supply chain management
- Procurement and logistics
- Operational excellence
- P&L management
- Financial leadership
- Capital planning
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Cash flow management
- Strategic planning
- Business transformation
- Corporate governance
- Stakeholder management
- Contract negotiation
- Risk management
- Project management
- Lean manufacturing
- Continuous improvement
- KPI management
- ERP (SAP/Oracle)
- Leadership development
- Organizational development
- Financial management
- Creative problem solving
- Team leadership
- Leadership excellence
- Project sales strategy
- Global mindset
- Integrity and ethics
- Business planning
- Product development
- Consulting
- Negotiation strategies
- Supply chain optimization
- Stakeholder engagement
- Client relationship management
- Investor relations
- Quality assurance
- Market expansion
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Customer relationship management
- Construction marketing
- Business strategies
- Team building and training
- Brand development
- Operations management
- Decision-Making authority
- Strategic decision-making
- Executive communication
- Performance Management
- Talent development
- Inspirational motivation
- Marketing directing
- Performance driving
- Business strategy formulation
- Market analysis
- Negotiation
- Strategic partnerships
- Revenue growth
- Project budgeting
- Quality control expertise
- Re-engineering business model
- Influential communicator
- Operations oversight
- Change leadership
- Business administration
- Revenue development
- Corporate finance
- Corporate governance understanding
- Budgeting expertise
Languages
English
Turkish
Russian
Uzbek
Turkmen
Custom
linkedin.com/in/cengizgozukara
Personal Information
- Canadian
- Turkish
Timeline
Founder & President
BURAK CONSTRUCTION & SERVICES INC.
01.2017 - Current
Group Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain
Knit Asia Group
01.2012 - 12.2017
GENERAL MANAGER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Demir Group
01.2002 - 12.2006
GENERAL MANAGER
Yadem Textile
01.2002 - 12.2006
FACTORY MANAGER
Turkmenbashi Textile Complex
01.1999 - 12.2002
GENERAL MANAGER
ORSA I – ORSA Group of Companies
01.1995 - 12.1999
GENERAL COORDINATOR – DOMESTIC MARKET DEVELOPMENT
LC Waikiki
01.1991 - 12.1995
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Business Administration
Çukurova University