Ekrem Atakan ILGAZ
Business Development & Sales Director
İzmir
Summary
Accomplished executive with 15 years of experience in sales, consistently driving exceptional results. A tenacious leader with a strategic and analytical approach to customer acquisition, profit optimization, and overcoming complex challenges. Expertise in business development, adept at identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends and revenue opportunities. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, overseeing operations, and aligning organizational goals to achieve sustainable growth in senior management roles.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Business Development & Sales Director
Teknik Döküm San. Ve Tic. A.Ş
12.2023 - Current
- Managed sales and technical service teams, ensuring optimal performance and alignment with company goals.
- Increased revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and establishing strategic partnerships.
- Mentored sales team members, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their individual goals and contribute to the overall success of the team.
- Built a high-performing sales team by recruiting top talent, providing ongoing training, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Achieved sales targets consistently by setting clear objectives and KPI's, monitoring progress, and implementing corrective actions when needed.
- Streamlined sales processes with efficient CRM management and optimized lead generation techniques.
- Monitored market trends and competitor activities to identify areas of potential opportunity.
- Boosted marketing, reviewed pricing strategies and expanded distribution channels to increase sales revenue.
- Organized successful trade show participation, generating valuable leads for the company''s products or services offerings.
- Achieved established KPI for company, regional team and individual performance through teamwork and focus on customers.
- Coached and promoted high-achieving sales and account management employees to fill leadership positions with qualified staff and boost company growth.
- Increased profit margins by effectively managing budgets, financial statements, and overhead costs, while optimizing operational efficiency.
Area Sales Manager
Som Group San Tic A.Ş
08.2022 - 12.2023
- Served as Area Sales Manager for the Aegean and West Mediterranean regions.
- Partnered with international brands like Sesotec- Metal Detector & X-Ray, Multiscan/Duravant Group - Sorters, NEMESIS - Checkweighers, and 3UVision- Colour and Optic Sorters to deliver innovative solutions and increase market penetration.
- Achieved significant market share growth through effective prospecting, lead generation, and negotiation strategies
- Built and maintained strong relationships with key customers, leading to improved retention and satisfaction.
- Worked closely with key accounts and decision-makers to drive sales growth in the assigned regions.
- Increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Enhanced team performance by providing ongoing coaching, training, and mentoring to sales representatives.
Sales and Project Engineer
Mert Teknik Mühendislik Ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti.
09.2018 - 08.2022
- Managed projects and ensuring smooth communication regarding sales, after-sales processes, and technical issues with represented suppliers.
- Oversaw tasks such as preparing quotations, coordinating payments, and managing delivery and logistics.
- Actively contributed to generating new leads and identifying sales opportunities to drive business growth.
- Organized product demonstrations and trial installations of equipment to promote products.
- Worked with customers and engineering team to determine equipment needs and system requirements.
- Partnered brands: (Pattyn -Bag in Box, Multipond - Multi Head Weigher, Wipotec-OCS - Checkweigher & X-Ray, Breitner (Liquid Filling, Langguth (Labelling, Hugo Beck - Horizantal Packaging).
Project Sales Specialist
Mettler Toledo International Inc.
09.2015 - 09.2018
- Worked in the Product Inspection (PI) Division as a Project and Sales Specialist for the Aegean region.
- Key responsibilities included sourcing new leads and managing incoming inquiries.
- Conducted site visits and facilitating project meetings to ensure smooth progress.
- Managed and followed up on the quote-to-order process to maintain operational efficiency.
- Monitored customer satisfaction and implementing strategies for improvement.
- Reported regional needs and progress to the Sales Director and General Manager.
- Attended technical training courses in the UK and Germany to enhance expertise.
- Accompanied Marketing Managers from head offices in Germany and the UK on customer visits to strengthen client relationships and showcase company capabilities.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by providing exceptional product knowledge and tailored recommendations.
- Managed sales pipeline effectively, prioritizing tasks to maximize revenue potential.
District Sales Engineer
Altek Metal San. Ve Tıc. A.S.
06.2013 - 08.2015
- Identified and acquired new customers while fostering strong relationships with existing clients
- Prepared quotations and managing the entire order-to-payment process to ensure seamless operations.
- Leaded successful contract negotiations with major clients, securing profitable agreements that enhanced the company's market position within the region
Sales Engineer
Das Lager Bearing Automatıve And Ind. Inc.
11.2011 - 06.2013
- Engaged with end-user customers and collaborating with B2B dealers to support sales operations.
- Prepared quotations, tracking orders, and managing other office-based tasks to ensure a smooth workflow.
- Provided sales forecasts for product sales opportunities within assigned accounts.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Metallurgical And Materials Engineering
Eskişehir Technical University
Eskişehir, Turkey 09.2005 - 01.2011
MBA - Business Administration And Management
İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University
Izmir, Turkey 09.2020 - 02.2022
Skills
Sales & project management
Pipeline and forecast management
Sales strategy building
Lead generation
Deal closing
Competitor analysis
Market and tendency analysis
Strategic alliances creation
Database management
Negotiation
Relationship building and management
Training, coaching and mentoring
Budget and operation management
Staff and team management
Strategic business planning
Marketing
Salesforce management
National Status
Rep. of TR
Military Service
Comp. (2011)
Training
- Effective Communication, Bigemac Academy, 11/01/21
- Leadership and Management, Mert Teknik, 01/01/20
- Sales Force Management, METTLER - TOLEDO, 05/01/18
- Value Selling, METTLER - TOLEDO / MERCURI International (Sweden), 04/01/17
- Professional Selling Skills, METTLER - TOLEDO / MERCURI International (Sweden), 02/01/17
Skills
Sales management, Pipeline and forecast management, Project management, Sales strategy building, Lead generation, Deal closing, Competitor analysis, Market and tendency analysis, Strategic alliances creation, Database management, Negotiation, Vendor and OEM management, New business development and planning, Market penetration, Team management, Sales coaching, Performance monitoring, KPI tracking, Goals and target setting, Personal competence development and guiding, Decision-making, Crisis communication management
Accomplishments
- Increased yearly revenue by 70% in 2024 atTeknik Döküm
- Expanded distributorship network beyond a single brand, introducing five new brands and driving significant business growth at Teknik Döküm.
- Implemented a new strategy alongside the regional sales approach by establishing OEM relationships, leading to the creation of an outsourced sales team which leaded 40% revenue increase of the region. (SOM GROUP).
- Introduced two new brands to the company, driving business growth by analyzing market trends and attending industry-specific trade shows. (SOM GROUP)
- Successfully drove the first sales of a newly launched product among all global Mettler Toledo organizations in Turkey branch, generating €45,000 in revenue. Received one of the 'Global Sales Awards,' along with a monetary reward. (METTLER-TOLEDO).
- Increased the sales volume in the responsible region from 255 kg/year to 30 tonnes/year within approximately two years, achieving a 118-fold growth by enhancing customer engagement and experience. (ALTEK METAL).
Certification
Effective Communication | Bigemac Academy
Timeline
Business Development & Sales Director
Teknik Döküm San. Ve Tic. A.Ş
12.2023 - Current
Area Sales Manager
Som Group San Tic A.Ş
08.2022 - 12.2023
Effective Communication | Bigemac Academy
11-2021
MBA - Business Administration And Management
İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University
09.2020 - 02.2022
Leadership and Management | Mert Teknik
01-2020
Sales and Project Engineer
Mert Teknik Mühendislik Ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti.
09.2018 - 08.2022
Sales Force Management | Mettler - Toledo
05-2018
Value Selling | Mettler - Toledo - MERCURI International (Sweden)
04-2017
Professional Selling Skills | Mettler - Toledo - MERCURI International (Sweden)
02-2017
Project Sales Specialist
Mettler Toledo International Inc.
09.2015 - 09.2018
District Sales Engineer
Altek Metal San. Ve Tıc. A.S.
06.2013 - 08.2015
Sales Engineer
Das Lager Bearing Automatıve And Ind. Inc.
11.2011 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Engineering - Metallurgical And Materials Engineering
Eskişehir Technical University
09.2005 - 01.2011