Süleyman Yasin ELDİVEN

Currently serving as the Head of Production for the Frozen Fruit & IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) business unit at Döhler, where I oversee end-to-end manufacturing operations and drive strategic production goals. I lead multi-disciplinary production teams to foster a high-performance culture, optimizing processes across various seasonal fruit lines to maximize yield and ensure superior product integrity. By integrating Lean Manufacturing principles into daily operations, I focus on enhancing OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and achieving cost efficiencies through continuous improvement initiatives. Furthermore, I manage full compliance with global food safety and quality benchmarks, including FSSC 22000 and BRC, to support the company’s position as a leading global supplier of natural ingredients.

Served as Plant Manager during the company’s strategic transformation from a traditional producer into an international chocolate brand through new production line investments. I was responsible for overseeing all plant operations while leading the modernization of processes and the restructuring of organizational workflows in line with corporate standards. My role involved building and developing a new professional production team, implementing efficient work practices, and managing the seamless integration of new chocolate manufacturing lines. By leveraging my extensive experience in large-scale food manufacturing and Lean practices, I successfully drove operational excellence and facilitated change management, directly contributing to the company’s vision of becoming a global player.

I served as a Production Plant Manager in a dairy production facility specializing in yogurt, fruit yogurt, flavored yogurt, desserts, quarks and butter. I successfully managed a team of 250 blue-collar employees, ensuring seamless and efficient production operations. Throughout my tenure, I led strategic projects focused on R&D, business development, efficiency improvement, waste reduction, and enhancing customer satisfaction. As a result, I achieved positive improvements across all key performance indicators (KPIs). With hands-on experience in process optimization, cost control, workforce management, and sustainable production, I made a direct contribution to the overall performance of the plant. My goal is to carry this experience into broader operations and elevate the factory’s competitiveness and efficiency to the highest level.

Promoted to Production Manager, I took full responsibility for the operations of a high-volume manufacturing facility with over 1,500 blue-collar employees. I led and developed a team of 3 Deputy Managers, 3 Shift Engineers, and 2 Process Engineers, consistently achieving and surpassing safety, quality, and productivity targets. By implementing Lean Manufacturing principles, I delivered process improvements that reduced waste, optimized costs, and enhanced efficiency. I also played a key role in managing organizational change during the company’s transition to a corporate structure, ensuring alignment across teams and sustainability of new practices. My leadership contributed to continuous improvements in safety, quality, and operational performance, supporting the long-term growth of the plant.

In my role as Deputy Production Manager, I led the production team in managing the day-to-day operations of the plant, ensuring accurate and efficient manufacturing in line with company standards. I facilitated the implementation of defined production strategies and analyzed system reports to identify potential issues, proactively communicating them to the Production Manager. This role provided me with a solid foundation in operational leadership and process management, preparing me to take on broader responsibilities.

I was responsible for the production operations and team selection of Algida’s first core-design ice cream factory, taking an active role from the commissioning phase through to vertical start-up. Within this global environment, I gained solid experience in WCM/TPM methodologies, serving as Autonomous Maintenance Pillar Leader and driving improvements in reliability and efficiency. I oversaw the production of ice cream, chocolate, and cone lines, ensuring world-class quality standards and operational excellence in alignment with Unilever’s global practices. This role provided me with unique expertise in factory start-up, process optimization, and structured continuous improvement, forming a strong foundation for my subsequent leadership responsibilities.

I was responsible for managing Local Market Trade (LMT) operations for Unilever in Ankara, building and maintaining strong business relationships with key customers. In this role, I utilized negotiation and communication skills to introduce and sell new products, while also increasing brand visibility in the market. Additionally, I managed budgets for marketing and promotional activities, ensuring effective resource allocation to maximize sales performance. This early commercial experience provided me with valuable insights into customer needs, trade dynamics, and brand positioning, which later complemented my transition into operations and production leadership roles.

I was responsible for managing some turnkey engineering projects for dairy and juice plants, including major investments. My role included calculating and optimizing process requirements, coordinating project execution, and ensuring delivery of efficient, reliable systems tailored to customer needs. This position allowed me to gain valuable engineering expertise in new plant investments and production processes, while also developing strong project management and client-facing skills.

I began my career at Pınar Dairy, where I was responsible for dairy product operations and managing a production team. In this role, I gained valuable operational experience with manufacturing equipment and developed a strong understanding of production processes and their implementation. This early exposure provided me with a solid technical foundation in both process management and team leadership, which shaped my progression into larger-scale engineering projects and senior production leadership roles.