MERT ERSUN
Novi,Michigan
Summary
Procurement and supply chain leader with deep experience in strategic sourcing, S&OP, and demand planning across chemical and manufacturing operations. Leads cross-functional decisions that support supply continuity, inventory control, and supplier performance, with a background in raw materials, packaging, logistics, and technical procurement.
Overview
3
3
Languages
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Demand Planner
BASF CORPORATION
Wyandotte, Michigan
11.2025 - Current
- Consistently achieve 75% average forecast accuracy while holding average forecast bias to 6.5% through disciplined demand reviews and root-cause follow-up.
- Owned demand forecasts and planning signals to support material, inventory, production, and supply decisions for performance materials portfolio.
- Provided upstream visibility on volume changes and risks while managing planning data and exceptions using OMP/FCT and SAP; supported transition to OMP FCT.
S&OP Lead
BASF CORPORATION
Wyandotte, Michigan
09.2023 - 11.2025
- Contributed to reducing inventory from EUR 270M to EUR 190M - a EUR 80M (approximately 30%) reduction - through planning visibility and decision support.
- Conducted integrated demand, supply, inventory, and capacity reviews for U.S. business portfolio, translating findings into actionable operating plans.
- Collaborated with commercial, manufacturing, product, and supply-chain functions to analyze scenarios, address constraints, and facilitate product-transition decisions.
Sales & Operations Planning Manager, Care Chemicals
BASF TURK
Istanbul, Turkey
07.2015 - 09.2023
- Connected demand, feedstock, capacity, inventory, and production requirements to optimize procurement, logistics, and supplier priorities.
- Managed allocations, shortages, shelf-life exposure, and finished-goods strategies to ensure service continuity and align inventory with cost objectives.
- Led production schedulers and material planners, owning monthly S&OP cycle to align operations with strategic objectives.
Procurement Hub Manager
BASF TURK
Istanbul, Turkey
12.2009 - 07.2015
- Led the procurement team responsible for raw materials, technical procurement, industrial packaging, and logistics solutions across BASF companies in Turkey.
- Led competitive tenders, supplier evaluations and selection, and commercial negotiations across manufacturing-related spend areas.
- Implemented savings initiatives while ensuring quality, service, supply continuity, and operational alignment.
- Cultivated strategic supplier partnerships, advising business leaders on market shifts, risks, and actionable recommendations.
- Developed category and sourcing strategies based on supplier insights, market trends, commercial conditions, and stakeholder needs.
- Prepared management reports and executive presentations and benchmarked sourcing practices with BASF procurement hubs across Europe.
Procurement Buyer, Raw Materials & Packaging
BASF TURK
Istanbul, Turkey
07.2007 - 12.2009
- Sourced raw materials and industrial packaging for multiple operating divisions and production sites, ensuring alignment with operational needs.
- Selected suppliers and negotiated commercial terms while coordinating internal requirements to maintain continuity and quality.
- Standardized rigid industrial packaging across BASF Turkey, enhancing consistency in materials used.
Purchasing Specialist
PROCHIMICA TEXTILE CHEMICALS
Istanbul, Turkey
03.2004 - 07.2007
- Managed sourcing for textile chemical materials across PROCHIMICA purchasing operations.
- Facilitated commercial negotiations and aligned purchase requirements with operational needs to support seamless production.
- Coordinated purchasing activities for textile-chemicals operations, ensuring timely supplier communication and material availability.
- Negotiated supplier pricing and delivery terms for chemical procurement.
- Prepared purchase orders and tracked order status from request to receipt.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Yildiz Technical University
Istanbul, Turkey01-2006
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Yildiz Technical University
Istanbul, Turkey01-2004
Skills
- Strategic Sourcing Category Management Raw Materials Industrial Packaging Technical Procurement Logistics Procurement Tender Management
- Supplier Negotiation Supplier Relationship Management Market analysis Cost Reduction Commercial Terms Supply assurance Risk assessment
- Technology: SAP OMP / FCT Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
- Demand forecasting
- Inventory management
- S&OP process
- Cross functional collaboration
Personal Information
- Nationality: Turkish / U.S. Permanent Resident
- Work Permit: No Sponsorship Required
- Visa Status: U.S. Permanent Resident
Technology
Technology: OMP / FCT , SAP MM, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
Accomplishments
8 years BASF procurement | 19 years at BASF | EUR 80M inventory reduction
Languages
Turkish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
German
Elementary
Timeline
Demand Planner
BASF CORPORATION
11.2025 - Current
S&OP Lead
BASF CORPORATION
09.2023 - 11.2025
Sales & Operations Planning Manager, Care Chemicals
BASF TURK
07.2015 - 09.2023
Procurement Hub Manager
BASF TURK
12.2009 - 07.2015
Procurement Buyer, Raw Materials & Packaging
BASF TURK
07.2007 - 12.2009
Purchasing Specialist
PROCHIMICA TEXTILE CHEMICALS
03.2004 - 07.2007
Master of Business Administration -
Yildiz Technical University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Yildiz Technical University