Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Volunteer Experience
Hobbies and Interests
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Gurhan Gulez

New York,United States

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven Operations and Project Manager with over 10 years of experience leading teams and optimizing complex processes in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) through data-driven strategies. Expertise in supply chain management, vendor & supplier & workroom management, order management, strategic planning, budgeting & pricing, scheduling, customer satisfaction, risk management, inventory control, and project execution. Monitor and analyze market trends to adopt changes, collaborating with the sales team to implement adjusted pricing strategies and product/marketing options to boost sales performance. Experience in creating social projects involving non-profit organizations, consulting companies to develop structures from the ground up, and R&D projects for conception, funding, and implementation.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Operations Manager

Martin Patrick Evan, Ltd.
Manhattan, United States
11.2019 - Current
  • Company Overview: Leading daily operations for a high-end custom carpet design & manufacturing firm [11 employees, 4 offices, 24 mills overseas, 43 workrooms]
  • Leading daily operations for a high-end custom carpet design & manufacturing firm [11 employees, 4 offices, 24 mills overseas, 43 workrooms], managing workflow on orders and projects, vendors, logistics, inventory, budgeting & pricing, installations, financial reporting, scheduling, and assisting design and sales teams.
  • Renegotiated contracts with 40+ key suppliers, installers, and logistics partners, cutting annual operating costs by 37% while maintaining quality standards.
  • Identified and addressed filing and documentation issues, proactively preventing compliance challenges.
  • Decreased average order-to-delivery cycle time by 20%.
  • Prevented additional invoice errors, saving up to 15% in extra costs annually.
  • Developed pricing methodology to maintain targeted profit margins above 63%.
  • Managed major risks during COVID-19 and tariff/duty/tax situations with no loss in six years.
  • Improved inventory and order tracking system, reducing discrepancies by 25% and maintaining 99.5% accuracy.
  • Enhanced employee performance by implementing effective internal communication methods and workflow improvements, reducing labor costs.
  • Leading daily operations for a high-end custom carpet design & manufacturing firm [11 employees, 4 offices, 24 mills overseas, 43 workrooms]

Business Development Consultant (Contract)

PINIT Consulting
New Jersey, United States
08.2024 - 12.2024
  • Played a pivotal role in company foundation, contributing to business planning, system implementation, and overall strategy development, establishing a solid operational framework for growth.

Restaurant Manager

Turkiss Mediterranean Restaurant
Manhattan, United States
03.2019 - 11.2019
  • Led daily operations for an 18-hour restaurant with 20+ employees; hiring, training, and managing staff scheduling.
  • Increased sanitary grade to A.
  • Handled payroll, accounting, and financial tracking for profitability and cost-effectiveness.
  • Developed marketing strategies including online advertising, billboards, and promotions to boost engagement and revenue.
  • Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts for smooth daily supply.

Real Estate Investment Specialist

Everest Real Estate Agency & Investment Consulting
Turkey
11.2016 - 03.2019
  • Company Overview: Co-founded and managed real estate investment and consulting firm specializing in land acquisition and sales with high-ROI opportunities.
  • Co-founded and managed real estate investment and consulting firm specializing in land acquisition and sales with high-ROI opportunities.
  • Achieved consistent portfolio growth over 2+ years.
  • Partnered with developers and construction firms across Europe and Qatar to secure land for residential and commercial projects valued at $20M+.
  • Co-founded and managed real estate investment and consulting firm specializing in land acquisition and sales with high-ROI opportunities.

Project Manager

Unifirm International (Contractor)
Europe
04.2013 - 04.2017
  • Delivered end-to-end innovative projects and business consulting for startups, NGOs/NPOs, and youth organizations, supporting sustainable funding and impact.
  • Spearheaded event planning, project development, partnership structuring, and networking to secure funds from competitive aid programs and Erasmus+.
  • Secured $15.2M+ in financial aid and grants for small businesses, R&D initiatives, and NGOs.
  • Directed 22+ international youth projects valued at $900K, including exchange programs, internships, volunteering, seminars, and cultural interaction initiatives.
  • Traveled to 34+ countries to oversee, facilitate training, and strengthen collaboration.

Sales Specialist

British Education Bureau
Istanbul, Turkey
12.2015 - 04.2016
  • Company Overview: Managed daily operations, enhancing sales support for education consultancy based in London, UK.
  • Managed daily operations, enhancing sales support for education consultancy based in London, UK.
  • Facilitated student applications and placements to universities all over Europe, achieving measurable results in academic advising, enrollment processes and accommodation.
  • Managed daily operations, enhancing sales support for education consultancy based in London, UK.

Project Manager

İstanbul Aydin University
Turkey
11.2014 - 09.2015
  • Managed and coordinated academic projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to objectives.

Guest Relations Specialist

Armas Maritim Saray Regency Resort and Spa Otel
Antalya, Turkey
07.2014 - 09.2014
  • Ensured exceptional guest experiences in a high-traffic 5-star resort; main point of contact for international guests.

Educational Consultant

Inci Tourism and Hospitality
Manchester, United Kingdom
10.2013 - 06.2014
  • Completed Erasmus+ Internship Mobility Program, gained hands-on international experience in educational consulting, collaborating with educational institutions, event planning and student placements.

Intern

Borsa Istanbul (Istanbul Stock Exchange)
Istanbul, Turkey
02.2014 - 03.2014
  • Developed foundational knowledge of investment instruments, market regulations, and risk assessment practices.
  • Participated in sessions about financial markets, stock exchange operations, and trading mechanisms.

Intern

Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey
Turkey
07.2013 - 08.2013
  • Gained hands-on education in central banking operations and monetary policy implementation.

Education

Master's Degree - Economic Development and Behavioral Economics

Istanbul University
05.2018

Bachelor's degree - Economy and Finance

Istanbul Aydin University
08.2015

Bachelor's degree - Economics

Eskisehir Osmangazi University
05.2015

Bachelor's degree - Business Management

Klaipeda University
12.2013

Skills

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business planning
  • Vendor relationship management
  • Time Management
  • Financial Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Inventory Management
  • Project Management
  • Operational Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Process Optimization
  • Leadership
  • Staffing
  • Microsoft Office
  • CRM
  • OneDrive
  • SharePoint
  • AI tools

Certification

  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (On Process), The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC)
  • Project Management Professional, Istanbul Development Agency, 12/01/14

Volunteer Experience

  • Project Ambassador, UNICEF, 11/01/15, 03/31/16, Represented UNICEF in public outreach initiatives and facilitated fundraising campaigns to provide clean and safe water to underserved regions in Africa.
  • Project Coordinator / Trainer, Zift United Project Groups, 04/01/12, 01/31/16, Coordinated and trained project writers for 78 Erasmus+ projects across 30 provinces, hosting 3,000+ participants from 22 countries.
  • Director – Deputy International Relations Officer, Young Europeans (JEF Turkey), 12/01/13, 12/31/15, Founding member of a youth association promoting democracy, human rights, and European integration in Turkey.
  • Trainer – Stars Leadership Program, Young Guru Academy (YGA), 11/01/10, 06/30/14, Selected among top 50 from 50,000 applicants for an elite leadership development program., Contributed 500+ volunteer hours to run annual leadership training for gifted 7th graders, graduating new cohorts each year.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Chess
  • Swing Trading
  • Interior Design
  • Music Production
  • Music Writer
  • Poem Writer
  • Metapsychics
  • Technical Analysis
  • AI

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
Turkish
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Limited
Russian
Elementary

Timeline

Business Development Consultant (Contract)

PINIT Consulting
08.2024 - 12.2024

Operations Manager

Martin Patrick Evan, Ltd.
11.2019 - Current

Restaurant Manager

Turkiss Mediterranean Restaurant
03.2019 - 11.2019

Real Estate Investment Specialist

Everest Real Estate Agency & Investment Consulting
11.2016 - 03.2019

Sales Specialist

British Education Bureau
12.2015 - 04.2016

Project Manager

İstanbul Aydin University
11.2014 - 09.2015

Guest Relations Specialist

Armas Maritim Saray Regency Resort and Spa Otel
07.2014 - 09.2014

Intern

Borsa Istanbul (Istanbul Stock Exchange)
02.2014 - 03.2014

Educational Consultant

Inci Tourism and Hospitality
10.2013 - 06.2014

Intern

Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey
07.2013 - 08.2013

Project Manager

Unifirm International (Contractor)
04.2013 - 04.2017

Master's Degree - Economic Development and Behavioral Economics

Istanbul University

Bachelor's degree - Economy and Finance

Istanbul Aydin University

Bachelor's degree - Economics

Eskisehir Osmangazi University

Bachelor's degree - Business Management

Klaipeda University