Zumra Güzelmeriç
Managing Director
Istanbul,Turkey
Summary
Mission-focused, collaborative, creative, self-motivated, open to change and process minded..Strong communication skills and can adjust to the different requirements and cultural conditions of the diverse operating environments
Excellent reputation for resolving problems and improving customer satisfaction.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Managing Director-Liaison Office
Schneider Consumer Group
Istanbul
05.2021 - Current
- Manage Turkey Liaison office of Schneider Consumer Group ,France
- Spearheaded successful business development initiatives aligned with company's strategy and core competencies.
- Implement sourcing of over 15 factories for white goods,electronics,hardware products with aim of driving sustainable cost price reduction and improving operational efficiency.
- Negotiate commercial conditions to improve price competitiveness, deliver margin gains, improve payment terms and reduce stocks at destination.
- Exploits opportunities for products of Schneider Consumer Group quality requirements and delivers products with optimum quality/cost ratio.
- Lead activity planning and reporting.
- Ensure negotiation of excellent cost prices for new briefs/products aiming to achieving cost reduction against existing/alternative sources of supply .
- Negotiate most favorable buying terms and ensure all commercial agreements are clearly documented.
- Manage vendor performance, maintain optimum vendor portfolio to maximize volume leverage while mitigating risks.
- In conjunction with head office marketing team, ensure projects and orders are managed through to competition, achieving agreed quality levels, delivered on time and in full quantities ordered, as per team KPIs.
- Evaluated service contracts and collaborated with legal counsel on negotiated improvements
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills
- Directed management meetings to enhance collaboration and maintain culture based on trust and group problem-solving
- Collaborated with CEO to open office.
Export Sales Manager
PELSAN LIGHTING
Istanbul
02.2017 - 04.2021
- Designed export strategies to meet project delivery requirements.
- Prepared and implemented strategic growth plans for territory based on company goals and expectations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of competitor products and pricing in market served.
- Created and implemented new business opportunities by utilizing strategic networking strategies.
- Coached and promoted high-achieving sales and account management employees to fill leadership positions with qualified staff and boost company growth
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals
- Increased sales by 75% through effectively training employees, closely monitoring international markets
- Promoted sales of lighting equipments to achieve revenue targets, bringing in $10mio in 4 years..
Purchasing Director
East Marine Denizcilik
Istanbul
05.2010 - 02.2015
- Managed over 50 vendors
- Sourced vendors, built relationships and negotiated prices.
- Contacted location managers and department supervisors to assess requirements.
- Organized receipts, purchases and documentation of finished goods, packaging, materials and ingredients.
- Devised and executed annual purchasing plans and contracts.
- Assessed areas of service concern and developed improvement plans.
Business Development & Sales Manager
ARÇELİK A.Ş.
İstanbul
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Coordinated innovative strategies to accomplish marketing objectives and boost long-term profitability for Blomberg brand of company.
- Developed and implemented favorable pricing structures balancing firm objectives against customer targets.
- Created reports and presentations detailing business development activities.
- Devised effective marketing, sales and other promotional initiatives.
- Identified key products, services and customers and used data to devise innovative sales and marketing plans enabling dramatic growth.
- Performed research to uncover potential target markets
- Represented company and promoted products at conferences and industry events.
- Scheduled and implemented product promotions in accordance with available inventory and staff resources.
- Established relationships with key decision-makers within customer's organization to promote growth and retention.
- Consulted with product development teams to enhance products based on customer interest data.
Export Sales Manager
Arçelik A.Ş.
Istanbul
02.1995 - 01.2004
- Leading all white goods sales and marketing activities in Western Europe territory.
- Permanent study of interesting opportunities for the company in order to keep in place the existing base while bringing added value and finding new axes for development.
- Manage the sales team in order to ensure the effiency of the sales activities and to achieve the sales targets of the company.
- Plan and control the turnover, margin and market share targets.
- Participating the key account and project oriented negotiations and tenders.
- Managing the related projects including the production processes.
- Propose necessary investments for developing activity .
- Member team of new company and brand acquisition process .of Arçelik
Education
MBA - International Economics
Paris I-Panthéon Sorbonne
Paris 09.1993 - 07.1994
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Middle East Technical University
Ankara , Turkey 09.1988 - 06.1993
High School Diploma -
French College , Notre Dame De Sion
Istanbul 09.1980 - 06.1988
Skills
Managing multiple projects
Managing client relations
Managing compensation claims
Managing purchasing activities
Managing unit operations
Timeline
Managing Director-Liaison Office
Schneider Consumer Group
05.2021 - Current
Export Sales Manager
PELSAN LIGHTING
02.2017 - 04.2021
Purchasing Director
East Marine Denizcilik
05.2010 - 02.2015
Business Development & Sales Manager
ARÇELİK A.Ş.
01.2004 - 02.2006
Export Sales Manager
Arçelik A.Ş.
02.1995 - 01.2004
MBA - International Economics
Paris I-Panthéon Sorbonne
09.1993 - 07.1994
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Middle East Technical University
09.1988 - 06.1993
High School Diploma -
French College , Notre Dame De Sion
09.1980 - 06.1988