Akın Özkan

About Me

I am a person who likes to work, to learn new issues, to try to find solutions to problems, to work and develop together not only in teams but also with people in different departments. I am always working as mini-CEO of my work.

After my productive internships, I started working at MBtech. I worked in Mercedes Bus Development interior trim for window systems, floor coverage, driver window module and customer special requests. My success here also brought me the responsibility of team leadership and then assistant chief engineer.

After working at MBtech for 5 years, I became the global responsible for the monitors and display systems in Mercedes-Benz Türk Bus Development interior trim. On the other hand, I worked on cost optimization project for interior parts. After 2 years of experience, I moved to the IT-Development department and for 4 years, I was responsible for the part numbering system globally.

In all the scopes I took part in, I also took additional responsibilities to improve myself. SAP trainer role at MBtech, cost optimization project and the first European Union (H2020) project in bus development, project-to-product transformation studies in IT are some examples. After gaining experience for improving product orientation mindset in all IT at Mercedes-Benz as unit manager, I am now strategy execution unit manager and directly working with director of Mercedes-Benz Tech Türkiye.

Work Experience

Strategy Execution - Unit Manager

Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv Ticaret ve Hizmetler A.S.

May 2023 - Present

Working closely with Director of Mercedes-Benz Tech Türkiye, providing comprehensive administrative and strategic support.

Collaborate with the Director to develop and refine strategic plans, goals, and objectives
Conduct thorough research and analysis to support strategic decision-making
Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and executive summaries
Act as a liaison between the Director and internal/external stakeholders
Monitor and track project milestones, deliverables, and budgets
Assist in the preparation and coordination of board meetings and presentations

Lean Agile Center of Excellence - Unit Manager

Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv

Sep 2022 - Jul 2023

Supporting global Project to Product team
Act as a change agent and mini-CEO to drive digital transformation @Scale
Learn new methodologies and transfer them to whole IT

Senior Process Manager / PDM-PLM-BOM Management

Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv

Aug 2018 - Dec 2022

Part number management system manager for all Daimler AG plants worldwide
Analysis of processes and creation of solution concepts for production, purchasing, after-sales, development, and planning
PDM PLM administration regarding IMDS integration and management of cooperation projects with BMW, Renault, Nissan
Head of the SRM core team
Successfully completed takeover of tasks from Germany to Turkey
Implementation of 4 releases with customer-friendly surface optimization

Product Development Engineer

Mercedes-Benz Türk A.Ş.

Jul 2016 - Aug 2018

Monitor and display scope responsible
Development of new concepts while coordination with internal and external units
Taking part in cost optimization for bus interior trim team

Deputy Chief Engineer

MBtech Muhendislik ve Danismanlik Ltd. Sti.

Jan 2015 - Jun 2016

Responsibility of the construction team (30 colleagues)
Employee career planning and management
Participation in board meetings
Training of SAP and Engineering Client programs

Team Lead & Project Engineer

MBtech Muhendislik ve Danismanlik Ltd. Sti.

Oct 2011 - Jan 2015

Following projects of 16 colleagues in bus development interior equipment
Driving Window Module design and improvement for all bus types
Coordinator for Customer Special Requests
Window System and Floor System responsibility for buses manufactured in Ulm, Mannheim and Istanbul

Important Projects

Horizon 2020 Project

2019

Led the European Union grant program application, securing €262,500 in non-refundable support for the separation and recycling of multi-layered plastic structures. The project, with a total budget of €5.7 million, was the first EU project of MBT Bus Development and was awarded by TUBITAK. This work also became the foundation of my PhD thesis, allowing me to conduct research outside my current work scope and contribute to the company's recycling goals while working with people from different cultures and disciplines.

Project to Product Transformation

2020

Coordinated a comprehensive 1-year transformation process with entire team participation to develop 'value generating structures' rather than 'tasks to be completed'. Gained extensive experience in learning and transferring new methodologies to the whole team, supporting colleagues in discovering solutions to problems, applying company goals to our team, and getting efficient contributions from colleagues from different disciplines.

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa

2016 - Present

Thesis: Examination of multi-layer structures first separating and then recycling

Master in Construction Program

Istanbul Technical University

2012 - 2015 | GPA: 3.19 / 4.00

Thesis: Textile air duct design and analysis in city buses

BSc. in Mechanical Engineering

Istanbul Technical University

2006 - 2011 | GPA: 2.60 / 4.00

Thesis: Shell and tube heat exchanger design, analysis and optimization

Erasmus Exchange - Mechanical Engineering

Hochschule Bremen, Germany

2009 - 2010 Spring semester | GPA: 3.50 / 4.00

Certificates & Training

International Test Automation Training

Keytorc Software Testing Services | 2020

IIBA - International Business Analysis Training

BA-Works | 2020

Project Management

Compertus Consulting & Project Competence | 2018

Presentation Skills in German

Speak & More | 2018

German Course

Goethe | 2016

Leadership

MCT Management Centre Turkey | 2013

Siemens NX 9.0

Ucgen Software | 2013

Welcome! Still under construction!