MURAT AKÇAY
Regional CSR Manager - Varner - Europe & Pakistan
Istanbul
Summary
Expert in CSR and Sustainability strategy execution, enhancing supplier compliance, and implementing global auditing methodologies.
Strong project management skills
Professional relationships with government entities, NGOs, and other brands
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Regional CSR Manager
VARNER
4 2015 - Current
- Regions Responsible:Europe, Turkey, and Pakistan.
- Performing Social Audits:Conducting audits in various types of production units, including tanneries, leather, socks, washing units, printing, dyeing, embroidery units, and fabric mills.
- Contributing to CSR and Sustainability Strategy:Contributing to the continuous development and execution of the Varner Group’s CSR and Sustainability strategy, framework, and priorities in the region.
Coordinating with other CSR teams.
- Increasing Supplier Compliance:Carrying out audits and visits.
Organizing social audits and implementing corrective actions in collaboration with suppliers/factories.
Developing best practices to ensure compliance with Varner’s Code of Conduct.
- Building Safety on Supply Chain:Implementing safety measures and protocols to ensure a safe working environment across the supply chain.
- Participating in CSR Network Groups:Maintaining networking with external interested parties, including government, NGOs, and other brands.
- Running and Leading Key Sustainability Projects:Collaborating with business associations, NGOs, and labor unions.
- Training Suppliers:Educating suppliers regarding social compliance and sustainability requirements.
Training on local laws and regulations.
- Conducting Specific Projects:Working on projects for migrant/Syrian workers in collaboration with local and international NGOs.
- Improving Supplier Standards:Enhancing standards based on Women's Empowerment Principles.
Conducting projects on gender equality and supporting women’s labor and employment.
Social Compliance Lead Auditor
SGS Turkey
08.2012 - 04.2015
- Conducted over 1000 social compliance audits:Included BSCI, ICS, SMETA (Sedex), and various client-specific audit standards.
Spanned multiple sectors: clothing, textiles, glassware, ceramics, chemicals, food, agriculture, non-food contact packaging, cookware, and cosmetics.
- Responsibilities:Planned and executed on-site inspections.
Evaluated workplace conditions.
Interviewed employees to verify adherence to regulations.
- Client Collaboration:Developed corrective action plans.
Provided detailed reports on audit findings.
- Staying Current:Stayed up-to-date with evolving compliance standards.
Delivered training sessions to internal teams and external stakeholders on best practices in social compliance.
- Implementation of Global Auditing Methodologies:Adopted and implemented SGS's global auditing methodologies.
Ensured consistency and reliability in audit results across different projects and clients.
Education
High School Diploma -
Istanbul University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2012), Bandirma Anatolian High School
Istanbul, 34Skills
Expertise in various production sectors (clothing, textiles, glassware, ceramics, chemicals, food, agriculture, non-food contact packaging, cookware, cosmetics)
Skilled in evaluating workplace conditions and conducting employee interviews
Experienced in providing detailed reports on audit findings
Capable of delivering training sessions to internal teams and external stakeholders on best practices in social compliance
Coordination with CSR teams for continuous improvement
Expertise in developing best practices to ensure compliance with codes of conduct
Maintaining relationships with government entities, NGOs, and other brands
Managing specific projects for migrant/Syrian workers and gender equality initiatives
Conducting projects supporting women’s labor and employment
Coursesworkshopsconferences
- SA8000 Basic Social ComplianceAuditor Course ( SAI )
- SA8000 Advanced Social compliance Auditor Course ( SAI)
- SGS – ISO 14001 – Environmental management system internal auditor training course
Socialcomplianceresponsibilitytrainings
- BSCI Health and Safety and OHS management system
- Inditex Audit procedures
- Tesco Audit procedures
- SMETA + BSCI Audit procedures
Militaryduty
Exempt
Businessexperiences
- Senior CSR Specialist, VARNER, 04/01/15, Present, Performing social audits in various types of production units including tanneries, leather, socks, washing units, printing, dying, embroidery units, fabric mills etc. in Turkey and Serbia, Contribute to the continuous development and execution of the Varner Group’s CSR and Sustainability strategy, framework and priorities in the region, in coordination with the other CSR teams., Increasing supplier compliance by carrying out with audits, visits and organize social audits and implement corrective action in collaboration with the suppliers/factories and develop best practices to ensure compliance with Varner’s Code of Conduct., Participate CSR network groups and maintain networking with external interested parties i.e. government, NGOs, other brands., Running and leading key projects based on social compliance with bussiness associations, NGO and Labor Unions, Training the suppliers regarding social compliance&sustainability, Conducting specific projects for Migrant / Syrian workers (collaborate with local and international NGOs), Improving the supplier standarts based on Women's Empowerment Principles, Conducting projects on gender equality and supporting women’s labor&employment
- Social Compliance Lead Auditor, SGS Turkey, 08/01/12, 04/01/15, Performed approx. 1000 social compliance audits including BSCI, ICS, SMETA(Sedex) and several types of client specific audit standarts in clothing, textile, glassware, ceramic, chemical, food, agriculture and non-food contact packaging, cookware, cosmetics etc. industries, Trained new auditors regarding social compliance standarts
- Work&Travel Programme, Minnesota, USA, 2008, 2008, Worked at hotel and restaurants
Drivinglicense
B class
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 08/13/88
- Marital Status: Single
Sea Kayak, Piano, Scuba Diving, Aviation
In my spare time, I enjoy:
- Sea kayaking
- Playing piano
- Scuba diving
- Aviation
These hobbies not only enrich my personal life but also reflect my interests in exploration, creativity, and continuous learning.
Timeline
Social Compliance Lead Auditor
SGS Turkey
08.2012 - 04.2015
Regional CSR Manager
VARNER
4 2015 - Current
High School Diploma -
Istanbul University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (2012), Bandirma Anatolian High School