Dilan Ecem Karakaya
Istanbul
Summary
Experienced professional with a strong background in leadership, category management, and strategic planning, specializing in driving growth and customer engagement in dynamic sectors. Proven ability to optimize business strategies, streamline operations, and enhance the customer experience through data-driven insights. Skilled in managing cross-functional teams, executing market expansion strategies, and developing innovative solutions for business challenges. Experienced in driving engagement and business performance through data-driven strategies and collaborative approaches.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2026
2026
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
International Category Manager
Trendyol Turkey
Istanbul
2021.12 - Current
- Managed two product units: Books and Stationery & Office, leading a team of 6 to scale these categories across Turkey, achieving significant volume growth, revenue increases, and improved customer experience metrics.
- Led the Books category within the Unification Project, standardizing content and cleaning data, contributing to overall system efficiency.
- Improved customer experience by providing feedback for the Search Relevance Algorithm.
- Books and Stationery categories were selected as pilot units for journey optimization, where several algorithms were tested (NLP modeling attribute extraction etc.)
- Managed 45+ key account sellers, driving increased TY engagement through strategic marketing investments and strong relationships.
- Led Trendyol's expansion into Gulf countries (UAE, KSA, etc.) and Azerbaijan, enabling key sellers in these regions to engage and drive sales efficiently for books&stationery categories.
- For the past year, facilitated micro-export and local seller engagement in the Gulf region, aiming to increase category dominance and generate new revenue streams from scratch.
- From August 2024, took the leadership role for Trendyol's Central East Europe Expansion Project, starting from scratch with market research, defining strategy, and selecting priority categories for all non-fashion business units.
- Developed a comprehensive work plan, targeted seller list, and end-to-end strategy for onboarding sellers in the region. Led the creation of job descriptions and overall strategy until the first live seller went online.
- In addition to Gulf and Azerbaijan responsibilities, I am now the leader for all non-fashion categories in the CEE region.
Category / Vendor Manager
Amazon Turkey
2020.09 - 2021.12
- Managed book vendors' performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives (20+ key vendors)
- Facilitated and maintained vendor relationships between books businesses of Amazon Turkey and suppliers, negotiating contracts, creating vendor standards, and finding the best available vendors
- Collaborated with the biggest publishers of Turkey to publish and launch Exclusive for Amazon books
- Used consultative sales approach to understand customer needs and recommend relevant offerings
- Devised and executed annual purchasing plans and contracts, including Volume Intensive Rebates and Marketing Packages
- Monitored competitors' pricing activities to make effective decisions that would improve company revenue
- (Books - Pricing Champion)
- Managed creation and approval of the website deals within growth recognition standards.(Books - Deal Champion)
Industrial Automation Distribution Program Leader
Schneider Electric
2019.12 - 2020.09
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data and budget factors
- Considered business demands and customer preferences when developing pricing structures and marketing plans
- Captured new customers by optimizing business strategies and creating & following the business plans up for Industry B2B & B2C customers
- Improved key account management of distributors by predicting potential competitive threats and outlining proactive solutions
Product Manager
Schneider Electric
2017.12 - 2019.12
- Documented user stories, specifications and product features into detailed work order to communicate across teams and build mandatory requirements
- Liaised with clients to develop deep understanding of business needs and current market landscape
- Monitored market trends and competitor performance and analyzed gaps to update promotional strategies and maximize sales
- Developed product documentation to communicate and align key components of upcoming features and products to internal teams
- Compiled product, market and customer data to forecast accurate sales and profit projections
- Developed pricing strategies while balancing firm objectives with customer satisfaction maximization
Project Manager, Consultancy
CPL Group USA
2016.06 - 2017.11
- Reined in project costs while meeting key milestones
- Identified, reviewed and applied policies and procedures
- Provided management for internal personnel, contractors and vendors
- Managed all phases of projects from procurement to commission
- Maintained professional demeanor when addressing commercial clients such as Empire State, LeFrak and Sierra Group to direct the project and meet organizational needs
Data Analyst
Institutional and Research Office
2014.05 - 2016.06
- Synthesized current business intelligence data to produce reports and polished presentations, highlighting findings and recommending changes
- Participated in requirements meetings for senior level management and data mapping sessions to understand business needs
- Enhanced marketing efforts by developing new promotional material, fact books, print media, cards, while maintaining public database and records for legal and compliance
Graduate and Teaching Assistant
Colorado State University - Pueblo
2013.09 - 2015.05
- Taught small groups of students focused on specific parts of coursework
- Prepared lessons according to course outline to convey all required material and deepen student understanding of subject matter
Marketing Associate
Vodafone
2013.06 - 2013.08
- Performed ongoing analysis to develop and advance future marketing strategies
Network Engineer, Part Time
Vodafone Turkey
2011.06 - 2013.06
- Provided detailed technical documentation, including network diagrams, process flow charts and procedural guidelines
- Installed and maintained data and voice circuits through routers, switches, and WAN devices
Education
Master of Science - Industrial and Systems Engineering
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Science - Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Bogazici University
2009.09 - 2013.06
Skills
Ability to Multitask, Leadership Skills, Self Starter, Strategic Planning, Fast Learner, Customer Relations, Strong Interpersonal Communication Skills, Category Management,Product & Channel Marketing, Stakeholder Management, Project Management
Honorsandawards
- 06/01/21, First place in the Vodafone Marketing Project Competition - Work Abroad
- 06/01/21, Won international full ride scholarship for graduate school in the USA
- 06/01/21, First place in Schneider Electric Design Thinking Project
Timeline
International Category Manager
Trendyol Turkey
2021.12 - Current
Category / Vendor Manager
Amazon Turkey
2020.09 - 2021.12
Industrial Automation Distribution Program Leader
Schneider Electric
2019.12 - 2020.09
Product Manager
Schneider Electric
2017.12 - 2019.12
Project Manager, Consultancy
CPL Group USA
2016.06 - 2017.11
Data Analyst
Institutional and Research Office
2014.05 - 2016.06
Graduate and Teaching Assistant
Colorado State University - Pueblo
2013.09 - 2015.05
Marketing Associate
Vodafone
2013.06 - 2013.08
Network Engineer, Part Time
Vodafone Turkey
2011.06 - 2013.06
Bachelor of Science - Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Bogazici University
2009.09 - 2013.06
Master of Science - Industrial and Systems Engineering
Colorado State University