Gizem Evcen Erken
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in product development and innovation management, known for leading cross-functional teams to execute global R&D projects. Demonstrates a strong focus on consumer-centric product design and flavour optimisation, enhancing brand communication through strategic thinking and problem-solving. Adept at roadmap planning, with a commitment to driving forward-thinking solutions that align with career goals of advancing innovative product strategies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Fermentation Scientist
Pladis
High Wycombe, United Kingdom
01.2025 - Current
- Led strategic development of fermentation platform by analysing global trends and presenting opportunities to senior leadership.
- Initiated collaborations with fermentation experts and partners to gather insights and co-develop prototypes.
- Designed training sessions for regional R&D teams, enhancing fermentation capabilities across global regions.
- Participated in internal committees to foster team cohesion and integrate platform initiatives.
- Demonstrated commercial potential of fermentation technologies through prototypes that achieved salt reduction and texture enhancement.
- Supported supplier engagement strategies, evaluating ingredient applicability for scalable product development.
R&D Project Manager (Taste Centre of Excellence)
Pladis
High Wycombe, United Kingdom
11.2022 - 01.2025
- Executed global taste and flavour strategies through cross-regional training programmes and innovation showcases.
- Designed technical flavour education for R&D teams across multiple regions, ensuring consistent application of Taste Curve framework.
- Managed flavour application projects, evaluating performance of various formats in baked goods over shelf life.
- Led ingredient screening for strategic initiatives, aligning with global standards for salt reduction and savoury base development.
- Guided strategic global projects by overseeing base formulation and production processes, maintaining adherence to gold standard benchmarks.
- Prepared detailed project plans and progress reports for Executive Committee review.
- Evaluated global flavour partners to support strategic supplier selection and long-term procurement agreements.
- Mentored interns and junior team members to enhance technical growth and team integration.
Product Development Manager (Functional Products)
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
Eskisehir, Turkey
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Spearheaded development of health-focused snack and bakery solutions for diverse dietary needs.
- Collaborated with Marketing and Consumer Insights teams to align product concepts with market trends.
- Drove cross-functional collaboration to scout novel raw materials for scalable product concepts.
- Led multidisciplinary R&D team, prioritising effective execution of lab and pilot-scale trials.
- Cultivated high-performing team culture, mentoring food scientists and fostering technical growth.
- Oversaw innovation pipeline from ideation to post-launch tracking, ensuring timely product introductions.
- Shaped strategic roadmap for functional snacking innovation, identifying whitespace opportunities.
- Interpreted technical and financial data to optimise resource allocation across projects.
Product Development Manager (Salty Snacks)
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
Eskisehir, Turkey
12.2019 - 03.2022
- Designed and implemented Snacks & Bakery strategy with global teams, introducing new ingredients to market.
- Directed lab trials in laboratory, food pilot plant, and factory to ensure project completion.
- Led R&D team for snack & bakery category, promoting trust, efficiency, and collaboration.
- Conducted research on latest R&D technologies and consumer expectations for product development.
- Managed new product launches and re-launches within planned scope, budget, and timeline.
- Developed snacking innovation strategy roadmaps, generating creative ideas to expand brand reach.
- Evaluated financial analyses to inform decision-making processes.
- Coordinated interdepartmental efforts on R&D projects, providing strategic guidance to relevant units.
Senior Product Development Engineer
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc
Eskisehir, Turkey
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Coordinated projects to adhere to timelines and maintain budgetary constraints.
- Led cross-functional project meetings across marketing, customer management, and technical teams.
- Managed and trained technicians, ensuring successful execution of specific projects.
- Designed lab-scale prototypes and pilot plans for product development.
- Developed experiments to evaluate ingredient safety and efficacy.
- Provided expertise in production trials for snack and bakery products.
- Produced prototypes through lab testing to meet technical specifications.
Product Development Engineer
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
Eskisehir, Turkey
07.2013 - 01.2017
- Developed innovative concepts for new product differentiation in competitive markets.
- Designed and conducted lab trials to progress projects from inception to completion.
- Formulated, approved, and revised recipes for various products.
- Actively engaged in laboratory activities related to project execution.
- Monitored trends in alternative products, recipes, raw materials, and methodologies.
Designer
A Design and Engineering
Ankara, Turkey
06.2012 - 01.2013
- Crafting packaging and panel products in alignment with customer expectations using 3D MAX and Photoshop software.
Food Engineer
ALFA Corporate Services Inc.
Ankara, Turkey
07.2011 - 01.2012
- Recommended suitable catering companies to firms seeking services.
- Arranged and verified menus of all contracted catering providers.
- Negotiated with catering companies to develop improvement plans aligned with customer needs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Food Engineering
Middle East Technical University
Turkey 09.2006 - 06.2011
Master of Science - Industrial Design
Middle East Technical University
Turkey 02.2012 - 09.2019
Master of Business Administration - Brand Communication
University of Anatolia
Turkey 09.2020 - 07.2022
Skills
- Product Development & Innovation Management
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Global R&D Project Execution
- Consumer-Centric Product Design
- Flavour & Taste Optimization
- Brand Communication
- Strategic thinking
- Problem-solving
- Roadmap Planning
Certification
- Dimension of strategic thinking and management
- Mindfulness with David Cornwell
- Agile Development in the New World of Work
- Design Thinking: Understanding the Process
- Project management training
- Education of the art of personal productivity
- Multi-dimensional model of leadership
- Autodesk Photoshop
- Autodesk 3D Max
- Autodesk Autocad
- ISO 22000: 2005 Food Safety Management Systems
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Food Safety Management Systems
- ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems
- Russian Language Diploma It is equal to “The Diploma European Language Portfolio B1”
- Leadership Seminar
Timeline
Senior Fermentation Scientist
Pladis
01.2025 - Current
R&D Project Manager (Taste Centre of Excellence)
Pladis
11.2022 - 01.2025
Product Development Manager (Functional Products)
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
03.2022 - 10.2022
Master of Business Administration - Brand Communication
University of Anatolia
09.2020 - 07.2022
Product Development Manager (Salty Snacks)
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
12.2019 - 03.2022
Senior Product Development Engineer
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc
01.2017 - 12.2019
Product Development Engineer
Eti Foodstuffs Industry and Trade Co. Inc.
07.2013 - 01.2017
Designer
A Design and Engineering
06.2012 - 01.2013
Master of Science - Industrial Design
Middle East Technical University
02.2012 - 09.2019
Food Engineer
ALFA Corporate Services Inc.
07.2011 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Food Engineering
Middle East Technical University
09.2006 - 06.2011
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