Kerem Zeki GÖKÇİMEN

• Own and govern Cognex’s global partner channel strategy, accountable for large-scale, partner-driven revenue across EMEA, the Americas, and Asia. • Lead and develop globally distributed Partner Channel Management teams, working in close alignment with Regional Sales VPs and Sales Directors to ensure consistent indirect GTM execution and growth. • Define global commercial frameworks, including annual partner agreements, performance objectives, and growth plans aligned with regional and corporate revenue targets. • Appointed by the Executive Management to standardize and scale global partner programs, aligning ecosystem models with the corporate 3-year strategy and long-term growth priorities.

• Designed and launched the Cognex EMEA PSI Partner Program, achieving full regional adoption and delivering double-digit €M incremental revenue growth, with strong impact in AI Deep Learning and 3D machine vision portfolios. • Led the strategic transformation of the EMEA partner ecosystem (2021–2024), shifting the model from VAR-centric to solution-oriented system integrators and engineering partners in response to evolving customer and market requirements. • Built and executed a scalable partner certification and enablement framework, training 1,000+ partner application engineers in advanced machine vision technologies over six years. • Acted as a key interface between regional sales leadership, product management, and marketing to align portfolio strategy, partner capabilities, and GTM execution. • Recognized with the President’s Club Award (2023) for exceptional commercial performance and strategic impact.

• Owned partner channel development across Central Europe (DACH) and Eastern Europe, including markets such as Russia, Turkey, and Israel. • Drove regional partner sales development for long-tail business across core product segments (In-Sight vision systems and DataMan ID). • Conducted quarterly and annual executive business reviews with partner leadership to align on targets, performance, and growth initiatives. • Implemented the CIP (Coverage, Involvement, Performance) framework with strategic partners to improve market coverage, engagement, and execution quality. • Built a technically strong and vertically focused partner ecosystem across Automotive, EV Battery, and Food & Beverage industries. • Collaborated cross-functionally with global sales operations, product management, and marketing to tailor GTM strategies to local market needs and competitive dynamics.

• Expanded international market presence of di-soric´s with distributors and strategic partners in key regions. • Supported the subsidiaries in Austria, France with joint-visits for global-/ key-account development. • Collaborated with product management on roadmap planning and new product pre-launch and official releases phases. • Organized technical product trainings for sales partners, developed partner´s sales and technical team´s application-based know-how. • Planning, implementation and coordination of export marketing activities (trade fair planning with distributors, on-site customer events, annual partner channel meetings in US, Asia and Europe).

• Strategically transitioned to a global industrial sensor manufacturer, marking first international sales role with a focus on export business development. • Played a key role alongside the board in driving international expansion, supporting sales growth in Eastern Europe and MEA, and leading the commercial development of new sister companies in Austria, France, and Singapore. • Drove over 1M€ incremental growth in partner channel business across Eastern Europe and MEA within 18 months, establishing a foundation for further network expansion across Europe and Asia. Developed and managed the partner channel across Eastern Europe • Supported di-soric Singapore Asia-Pacific with market entry, onboarding of new-hires, sales conventions in APAC region. • Delivered partner webinars and technical trainings to enhance regional application knowledge of partner´s sales and technical teams.

Spearheaded AIT Goehner’s market entry into Turkey for Cognex machine vision solutions during a globally challenging economic period. Independently established the business foundation by leveraging deep market knowledge and personal network across Turkish industry sectors. Collaborated closely with the application engineering team to develop innovative solution concepts that enabled customer wins despite the economic downturn. Successfully opened key strategic accounts including Bosch Diesel Systems, Autoliv, Nestlé, Renault, and their associated machine builders. Led and secured a full-scale machine vision project for a rim production facility by managing a multi-stakeholder sales cycle over four months—coordinating closely with the end customer, laser marking provider, and robot system integrator. Gained hands-on experience in project-based sales and developed a deep understanding of the German engineering mindset and expectations of global accounts. Transitioned from a traditional sales role into a consultative project management approach, aligning technical and commercial goals with customer needs.

Co-founded the company with a business partner at the early stage of our careers, taking on the challenge of building a business from the ground up. Took responsibility for sales management, with a strong focus on di-soric sensor solutions and Cognex machine vision products, while also supporting the distribution of Euchner safety components. Led all operational activities during the start-up phase, including customer acquisition, supplier relations, logistics, and internal processes. Developed hands-on experience across sales, operations, and technical support, laying the foundation for a well-rounded understanding of industrial automation business dynamics. Gained early exposure to entrepreneurship, technical consulting, and customer relationship management—skills that shaped the professional path and leadership approach I apply today.

Transitioned from Inside Sales Assistant to the first dedicated Keyence Sales Engineer at Entek Otomasyon, following graduation from Istanbul University with a degree in Automation Control Systems.​ Pioneered nationwide field sales efforts, promoting a range of Keyence products—from basic photoelectric sensors to advanced measurement systems—across Turkey.​ Focused on key industries including automotive manufacturing, Tier 1 suppliers, packaging, assembly and handling systems, and food and beverage production.​ Collaborated closely with the Keyence Division Manager to develop and implement business strategies, resulting in significant growth in sales figures and team expansion between 2003 and 2005.​ Played a pivotal role in onboarding new sales engineers, providing training and support, and facilitating the handover of accounts and regional responsibilities.​

Joined Entek Otomasyon as an Inside Sales Assistant while concurrently pursuing studies in Automation Control Systems at Istanbul University. Supported the Sales Manager in promoting SMC Pneumatics and Keyence products, both exclusively distributed by Entek Otomasyon in Turkey. Gained practical experience in the business environment by conducting application feasibility studies, preparing quotations, managing orders, and performing cold calling. Developed a solid foundation in sales operations, customer service, and technical product knowledge, which facilitated progression to subsequent roles in the sales field.