Sample room
15–20%Sampling Efficiency Improvement
Achieved through real-time barcode-based tracking, enabling immediate intervention on bottlenecks.
Executive profile
Cenker Akdemir
Operations & CRM Director • Production Operations & Garment Manufacturing Leader
Türkiye • Egypt — open to international assignments
Results-oriented garment operations and product development leader with 23+ years of experience in denim and ready-made garment manufacturing, digital transformation and cross-functional team management.
23+Years of experience
120Team built from scratch
45%→80%On-time sample delivery
5%→30%Collection-to-production
Measurable efficiency gains
High-Precision Operational Outcomes
Achieved through barcode-based tracking, AI-integrated planning and structured team development.
Daily output
10–15 → 34–45Daily Sample Output (pieces)
Driven by optimized workflow design and team performance management.
Capacity
5–10%Capacity Utilization Efficiency
Delivered by an in-house AI-integrated planning and scheduling system, integrated with ERP and PLM.
Executive scope
Core Competencies & Strategic Domains
From pattern making to final shipment: operations leadership, product development and digital transformation across denim and ready-made garment manufacturing.
Large-Scale Clothing Production Operations
Managed full production workflows from pattern making through final shipment across multiple facilities, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency and on-time delivery.
Operations Leadership & Cross-Functional Management
Led large-scale multicultural teams spanning Atelier, R&D and Customer Representative functions. Built operational structures from the ground up in greenfield setups.
Production Planning & Execution Oversight
Directed end-to-end planning from fabric intake to customer shipment, ensuring seamless coordination across cutting, sewing, washing and quality control.
Factory Performance Improvement
Scaled daily sample output from 10–15 to 34–45 pieces through optimized workflow design, driving sustained efficiency gains across production lines.
Cost Control & Operational Efficiency
Owned departmental and investment budgets with monthly and quarterly performance reviews. Improved annual budget accuracy from 80% to 98%.
Quality Assurance & Process Discipline
Ensured compliance with BSCI, OEKO-TEX and GOTS frameworks, with responsible sourcing and adherence to international social and environmental standards.
Team Building & Leadership Development
Recruited and upskilled a locally sourced 120-person team, 85% with no prior textile experience, within 3 months through structured training programs.
Supply Chain & Production Coordination
Architected an end-to-end supply chain process from fabric warehouse intake to final shipment, with barcode-based tracking at every stage.
R&D, Sample Room & Technical Operations
Designed a sample management system that cut lead times from 20–24 days to 10 days and raised on-time sample delivery from 45% to 80%.
Business Performance & Commercial Alignment
Managed customer relationship operations throughout the full production cycle, from order placement to on-time shipment.
Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
Scaled productivity initiatives from pilot to full production lines, using real-time data to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
Worked closely with clients’ design and technical teams and managed commercial relationships with global brands including Levi’s, Uniqlo and Zara.
ERP & PLM System Integration
Integrated an in-house AI-powered planning and scheduling system with ERP and PLM platforms, improving capacity utilization by 5–10%.
Lean Manufacturing & Process Optimization
Applied lean manufacturing and industrial engineering methods across production lines to drive continuous optimization and operational excellence.
Barcode Tracking & AI-Integrated Planning
Deployed real-time barcode-driven tracking for immediate intervention on bottlenecks, and built an AI-powered scheduling system for the production floor.
Career chronology
Executive Experience & Plant Stewardship
From denim washing development to building complete garment operations, across Türkiye and Egypt.
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09/2024 — 05/2026Ismailia, EgyptEroglu Egypt for Ready-Made Garments
Operations & CRM Director
120-person team- Built the entire operation from the ground up, leading a 120-person cross-functional team (Atelier, R&D, Production Customer Representatives) to full operational readiness within 8 months.
- Reduced sample lead times from 20–24 days to 10 days and increased on-time sample delivery from 45% to 80%.
- Developed and integrated an in-house AI-powered planning and scheduling system with the company’s ERP and PLM platforms.
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03/2023 — 06/2024Istanbul, TürkiyeEroglu Giyim San. Tic. A.Ş.
Business Development & Design Director
240-person team- Led a 240-person cross-functional team spanning Design, Modelroom and R&D.
- Drove monthly collection development cycles and new business development, from client briefing through production execution.
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11/2016 — 02/2023Istanbul, TürkiyeTaypa Giyim San. Tic. A.Ş.
Product Development & Design Director
200+ person team- Led a 200+ person cross-functional team and built the Design, Modelroom and R&D departments from the ground up.
- Raised collection-to-production conversion from 5% to 30% and improved annual budget accuracy from 80% to 98%.
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11/2011 — 11/2016Istanbul, TürkiyeŞik Makas Giyim San. Tic. A.Ş.
R&D Manager
Denim R&D- Led denim R&D activities focused on fabrics, fits, washing processes and product quality.
- Championed sustainable process innovation through laser, ozone and alternative chemical applications.
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03/2002 — 11/2011Tekirdağ, TürkiyeIntersource Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon A.Ş. (Denimvillage)
Senior Washing Development Team Leader
Denim washing- Developed fabric-specific washing recipes ensuring optimal compatibility between fabric structure and wash technique.
- Drove sustainable recipe revisions through laser, ozone and alternative chemical technologies.
Systems, processes & standards
Deep Technical Competency
Hands-on expertise spanning digital production systems, sustainable denim finishing and international compliance frameworks.
Digital Operations Systems
In-house AI-powered planning and scheduling integrated with ERP and PLM platforms, with real-time barcode tracking at every stage of the workflow.
ERP / PLMAI schedulingBarcode tracking
Denim Washing & Finishing
Fabric-specific washing recipes and sustainable finishing through laser, ozone and alternative chemical applications, alongside fabric and fit development.
LaserOzoneAlternative chemicals
Compliance Frameworks
Production aligned with international social and environmental standards and responsible sourcing requirements.
BSCIOEKO-TEXGOTS
Academic foundation
Education & Leadership Strengths
Bachelor of Science • 1995 – 2000
Chemical Engineering
Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
Leadership Strengths
23+ years of hands-on experience in clothing production and denim manufacturing. A commercially aware, performance-driven leadership style with proven budget ownership and cross-functional coordination.
Global Brand Collaboration
Commercial relationships managed with global brands including:
Levi’sUniqloZara
Global mobility & languages
Languages & International Footprint
Linguistic Proficiencies
Turkish Native
English Professional working proficiency
Arabic Basic
International Mobility
Based between Istanbul, Türkiye and Ismailia, Egypt, and open to international assignments in garment operations and product development leadership.
TürkiyeEgyptOpen to relocation
From the production floor
Insights
Denim chemistry, sustainable R&D and collection development, written from more than two decades inside the industry.
Direct inquiry
Get in Touch
For leadership roles, operations and product development projects or collaboration, connect directly with Cenker Akdemir.
- LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/cenker-akdemir
- LocationIstanbul, Türkiye • Ismailia, Egypt