Ayhan Y.

Proven automotive leader with excellent interpersonal, communication, and people management skills, experienced in leading cross-functional and international teams. 8+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience within the automotive industry, including process optimization and continuous improvement. Strategic self-starter with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize complex, high-impact initiatives in fast-paced environments. Strong time and resource management skills with a proven ability to lead multiple customer programs simultaneously.

Advanced working knowledge of MS Office, MS Project, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and SAP within automotive OEM and Tier supplier environments.

Bilingual: English and German, with experience operating in global automotive organizations.

HEAD OF NORTH AMERICA at ROGA NORTH AMERICA INC (2024-11 – Present)

• Responsible for leading all customer relations in North America within the automotive and appliance industries.
• Manage sales programs, engineering changes, production optimization, and quality topics for functional plastic components
• Acting as the key interface between customers and internal engineering and manufacturing teams.

MANAGER - TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER at LITENS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (2024-08 – 2024-10)

• Manage multiple projects across all phases, ensuring effective risk management, status reporting, and strategic alignment with senior leadership
• Lead new product development projects across Canada, Germany, and Asia, coordinating cross-functional global teams
• Supervise and mentor a team of Technical Project Managers, driving performance and collaboration
• Implement new processes and tools to enhance project management efficiency and standardization.

TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER at LITENS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (2024-05 – 2024-08)

• Lead product management and execution of new products, including those with integrated software (A-Spice) components
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure on-time, on-budget, and compliant delivery

GLOBAL PROGRAM MANAGER at SHW PUMPS & ENGINE COMPONENTS INC. (2022-12 – 2024-05)

• Lead cross-functional international teams to deliver complex programs under accelerated timelines
• Manage the full program lifecycle — planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication
• Coordinate engineering changes, supplier requests, and manufacturing process updates across global sites
• Oversee program budgeting and cost estimation for new business opportunities to ensure profitability and resource alignment

PROGRAM MANAGER at SHW PUMPS & ENGINE COMPONENTS INC. (2020-11 – 2022-11)

• Directed the largest variable displacement engine oil pump program in North America, managing a $6M Ford project under expedited timeline
• Oversaw engineering and supplier-driven changes across multiple GM manufacturing programs, ensuring process integrity and minimal disruption
• Managed QEP documentation, customer timelines, APQP schedules, and program status reporting to ensure transparent communication and compliance.
• Managed program budgets and cost estimates to support strategic growth and new business opportunities.

SALES MANAGER at ANA ENGINEERING INC. (2016-04 – 2020-10)

• Designed and implemented engineering solutions for the Oil & Gas industry, improving safety, efficiency, and process effectiveness
• Led product development, managing risks, tracking issues, and coordinating remote and local contractors.
• Built a strong client network by proactive prospecting and effective use of CRM tools
• Negotiated supply contracts and optimized product pricing for the electronic Bill of Lading solution

PROJECT MANAGER at DAIMLER AG, MERCEDES-BENZ CARS DIVISION (2012-03 – 2014-04)

• Conducted an assembly line adaptation study for the new automated windshield placement system on the Mercedes-Benz W205 model, optimizing layout and workflow to maximize line efficiency
• Implemented advanced robotic systems and precision measurement tools to improve production and maintenance processes, enhancing overall manufacturing reliability
• Achieved reducing HPV (hours per vehicle) in the production as well as cost savings and presented results to upper management in order to transfer these best practices between MB car manufacturing plants as part of interdisciplinary team

RESEARCH ASSISTANT at GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTER (2008-05 – 2012-02)

• Researched and developed electrochemical gas sensors for temperatures up to 800°C to detect toxic exhaust gases (NO, NO₂, CO)
• Optimized plasma coating parameters to improve sensor sensitivity and performance
• Performed detailed sensor material characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to analyze and validate iterative design improvements

DIPL.-ING. in ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – RUHR UNIVERSITY OF BOCHUM (2002-09 – 2008-04)