Serkan Belketin
Kocaeli,Türkiye
Summary
With more than 23 years of experience in the automotive industry, I have built my career in high-volume manufacturing operations, industrial transformation programs, and operational excellence within Ford Otosan.
Throughout my career, I have led large-scale manufacturing organizations across Trim & Final, Paintshop, and vehicle production operations while driving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance in demanding production environments.
One of the most significant milestones of my career has been contributing to the Ford Otosan Yeniköy Plant Transformation Program — one of the largest industrial transformation initiatives in Europe — supporting the transition toward 400K vehicle production capability with multi-billion-dollar investment responsibilities.
My experience includes:
Experienced Area Leader with knack for team leadership and driving operational improvements. Successfully managed diverse teams to achieve high performance and foster positive work environments. Known for implementing process efficiencies and enhancing productivity, resulting in measurable success and improved team morale.
* High-volume manufacturing operations leadership
* Greenfield and transformation programs and facilities
* Launch and ramp-up management
* Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
* Cross-functional leadership
* Operational KPI management
* Safety and quality culture transformation
* People engagement and organizational development
I strongly believe that sustainable operational success comes from combining disciplined manufacturing systems with empowered teams, strong leadership culture, and continuous development mindset.
I am passionate about building high-performing organizations capable of delivering world-class manufacturing results in complex and fast-changing environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Assembly Area Leader
Ford Otosan
Kocaeli, Türkiye
2024.10 - 2026.06
- Led all assembly shop KPIs and activities in 100,000m2 area, overseeing a team of 63 engineers, senior managers, and 3,400 workers to deliver high-quality vehicles on schedule while implementing continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives within a €5 million investment and €25 million expense budget.
- Leading high-volume vehicle production operations within Ford Otosan manufacturing system
- Managed safety, quality, delivery, cost, maintenance, and people KPIs to ensure operational targets were met.
- Leading cross-functional manufacturing teams in a fast-paced production environment
- Supported operational excellence initiatives and lean manufacturing practices, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Driving people engagement and continuous improvement culture
- Promoted transparency and teamwork amongst staff members through establishing clear communication channels.
- Developed strategies to streamline workflow processes, enhancing productivity.
- Maintained safety standards in the area, reducing workplace accidents.
- Contributed to improved employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment.
- Managed daily operations without disruption by swiftly resolving any conflicts that arose within the team.
- Coordinated shift schedules for optimal manpower utilisation.
- Achieved optimal manpower utilisation with coordinated shift schedules.
- Resolved conflicts swiftly, minimising disruption in daily operations.
- Ensured smooth operations by allocating resources effectively.
- Allocated resources efficiently, ensuring smooth operations.
- Enhanced productivity by developing strategies to streamline workflow processes.
- Implemented training programmes for skill enhancement of employees, leading to improved performance levels.
- Established clear communication channels, promoting transparency and teamwork amongst staff members.
- Conducted process reviews to identify areas for improvement.
- Increased team morale by organising regular team-building exercises.
- Improved operational efficiency with thorough process reviews.
- Led to improved performance levels through implementing training programmes for skill enhancement of employees.
- Organised stock inventory for efficient warehouse management.
- Fostered a positive work environment, contributing to improved employee retention rates.
- Reduced workplace accidents by maintaining high safety standards in the area of responsibility.
- Resolved complaints to achieve full customer satisfaction.
- Facilitated smooth store operations, performing daily opening and closing functions.
- Performed risk assessments and security checks to comply with health and safety legislation.
Paintshop Area Leader
Ford Otosan
Kocaeli, Türkiye
2024.01 - 2024.10
- Directed Paintshop operations, managing KPIs, optimising production efficiency, overseeing maintenance, and implementing new projects and technologies across a large manufacturing space.
- Delivered high-quality vehicles in paintshop on daily schedules while ensuring adherence to Ford Production System KPIs for safety, cost, delivery, maintenance, and environment.
- Led and motivated a team of 35 engineers, team leaders, and senior managers, alongside 850 workers in a fast-paced environment.
- Managed daily operations without disruption by swiftly resolving any conflicts that arose within the team.
- Established clear communication channels, promoting transparency and teamwork amongst staff members.
- Reduced workplace accidents by maintaining high safety standards in the area of responsibility.
- Contributed to improved employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment.
- Allocated resources efficiently, ensuring smooth operations.
- Led to improved performance levels through implementing training programmes for skill enhancement of employees.
- Promoted transparency and teamwork amongst staff members through establishing clear communication channels.
- Coached team to deliver top-quality customer service and uphold brand values.
- Trained team to upsell products and navigate POS systems.
- Built positive supplier relationships for cost-effective stock sourcing.
1T Products Manufacturing Design & Facility Tribe Leader
Ford Otosan
2022.12 - 2024.01
- Led Ford Otosan Yeniköy Plant transformation program, driving key initiatives for operational improvement
- Supported one of Europe’s largest automotive transformation investments, facilitating strategic project execution
- Supported production infrastructure transformation toward 400K vehicle production capability
- Managed complex launch and ramp-up activities across manufacturing operations
- Led Bodyshop, Paintshop and Trim & Final industrialization activities
- Implemented new Trim & Final line, significantly boosting production capacity at Ford Otosan facility
- New model vehicle launch at Trim& Final and make ready for serial production.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
- Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
Yenikoy Plant Project Leader
Ford Otosan
Kocaeli, Türkiye
2022.06 - 2024.01
- Led one of Ford Otosan’s largest transformation and production operations, combining greenfield industrialization, high-volume delivery, operational turnaround, and large-scale investment execution. Management role and responsible of the execution overall project bodyshop, paintshop, trim &final investment at the Ford Otosan Yeniköy Plan with engineering team. Responsible of the design, installation and commissioning of the facilities according to the new product and 400K production capacity. Redesign and increase production capacity existing facilities for the new model of the Transit Custom.
- Executed launch of new vehicle model in Trim & Final department, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with production goals
- Administered large-scale project budget, maintaining financial control and enabling project alignment with strategic objectives
- Led meetings with department executives to review project status, drafting action plans to deliver proposed changes.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, ensuring best value for money spent on resources.
- Tracked and communicated project status, timelines and action items from project inception to delivery.
- Built company reputation by managing and successfully delivering projects.
- Designed project presentations and reports for executive teams.
Ford Otosan New Paintshops Project Senior Manager
Ford Otosan
Gölcük, Kocaeli, Türkiye
2020.10 - 2022.06
- Directed the investment in the new paint shop. Design and installation according to the new product and 400K production capacity. Redesign and increase production capacity existing paint shop for the future product. Launch new model at new and existing paint shop.
- Fostered a positive work environment that encouraged creativity and innovation.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives to drive profitability.
- Developed new marketing campaigns to boost brand awareness.
- Built strong partnerships with stakeholders for mutual benefit.
- Oversaw budget preparation and control, ensuring financial discipline within the team.
Paintshop Production & Maintenance Senior Manager-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
Gölcük Plant
2018.11 - 2020.10
- Managed all Paintshop KPIs and activities, ensuring lean production, efficient maintenance, and successful implementation of manufacturing engineering and new projects across 80,000m2 manufacturing area.
- Managed production output and product quality while implementing continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives, allocating an investment budget exceeding 5 million Euro annually and an expense budget of 7 million Euro.
- Delivered high-quality vehicles in paintshop according to daily schedules while ensuring adherence to Ford Production System KPIs in safety, cost, delivery, maintenance, and environmental standards.
- Led and motivated a team of 17 engineers and 850 workers in a fast-paced environment, fostering collaboration and high performance.
Paintshop Manufacturing Engineering Senior Manager-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
Gölcük Plant
2016.02 - 2018.11
- Directed manufacturing engineering and production activities for Gölcük, Yeniköy Paintshops and Plastic Paintshop, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
- Oversaw development and implementation of manufacturing processes, enhancing product functionality and cost efficiency while fostering collaboration between engineering teams and Ford European Paint Engineering.
- Guided a team of 18 engineers and 110 workers to improve productivity in a fast-paced environment, fostering a culture of teamwork and responsiveness.
Paintshop Production Senior Manager-Yenikoy Plant
Ford Otosan
Yeniköy Plant
2013.08 - 2016.02
- - Reported directly to Plant Manager in Senior Management role, overseeing Paintshop KPIs and activities, including lean production, maintenance, manufacturing engineering, and implementation of new projects and technologies across 25,000m2 manufacturing area.
- - Leading and motivating a team of 15 skilled engineers and 110 workers in a fast paced environment
- - Delivered high-quality vehicles in paintshop according to daily schedules, ensuring adherence to Ford Production System KPIs through effective management of safety, cost, delivery, maintenance, people, and environmental systems.
- - Oversaw production output and product quality while driving continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives within €1m annual investment and expense budgets.
- Produced Ford Courier vehicles at Yenikoy Plant.
Paintshop Production Supervisor-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
Gölcük Plant
2009.10 - 2013.08
- Managed a workforce of 800 blue-collar workers and 6 white-collar staff to produce more than 1,000 Transit, Connect, and Custom Ford commercial vehicles each day.
- Attended industry events enhancing knowledge of latest trends and technologies.
- Executed daily production plans successfully meeting project deadlines consistently.
- Fostered a safe work environment with rigorous adherence to health and safety protocols.
Trim&Final Area Production Supervisor
Ford Otosan
2007.04 - 2009.10
- Led team of 1,700 blue-collar workers and 6 white-collar staff in production of 1,000 Transit and Connect commercial vehicles daily, ensuring consistent quality and meeting production targets.
- Optimised workflow to enhance production efficiency using lean manufacturing principles.
- Coordinated material procurement, resulting in timely delivery for production needs.
- Liaised with other department heads facilitating smoother interdepartmental communication and collaboration.
Trim&Final Maintenance Engineer
Ford Otosan
2003.10 - 2007.04
- Ford Otosan Assembly Area
- Solved complex technical issues to maintain smooth operations.
- Maintained machinery by conducting routine checks and servicing.
- Utilised CAD software for designing new equipment parts when needed.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA
İstanbul Beykent University
Türkiye 2023.01 - 2024.06
Electronics&Communication Engineer - Engineering
Kocaeli University
Türkiye 1999.01 - 2003.11
Skills
Lean manufacturing
EHS
Advanced data interpretation
Team Leadership
Leadership excellence
Interpersonal savviness
English language
Quality control assurance
Budgeting proficiency
Knowledge of lean principles
Delegation mastery
Empathy and supportiveness
Constructive feedback
Staff development
Data analysis techniques
Project management tools
Employee management
Health and Safety Compliance
Certification
- Meridyen Program
- ReMood Program
- LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE, TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
- Management Acceleration Program-Lead
Languages
English
Advanced
Turkish
Native
Timeline
Assembly Area Leader
Ford Otosan
2024.10 - 2026.06
Paintshop Area Leader
Ford Otosan
2024.01 - 2024.10
Master of Business Administration - MBA
İstanbul Beykent University
2023.01 - 2024.06
1T Products Manufacturing Design & Facility Tribe Leader
Ford Otosan
2022.12 - 2024.01
Yenikoy Plant Project Leader
Ford Otosan
2022.06 - 2024.01
Ford Otosan New Paintshops Project Senior Manager
Ford Otosan
2020.10 - 2022.06
Paintshop Production & Maintenance Senior Manager-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
2018.11 - 2020.10
Paintshop Manufacturing Engineering Senior Manager-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
2016.02 - 2018.11
Paintshop Production Senior Manager-Yenikoy Plant
Ford Otosan
2013.08 - 2016.02
Paintshop Production Supervisor-Golcuk Plant
Ford Otosan
2009.10 - 2013.08
Trim&Final Area Production Supervisor
Ford Otosan
2007.04 - 2009.10
Trim&Final Maintenance Engineer
Ford Otosan
2003.10 - 2007.04
Electronics&Communication Engineer - Engineering
Kocaeli University
1999.01 - 2003.11