Semih Akyürek

Head of Procurement UK & Regional Procurement Director (SEEMEA) | Leading sourcing and supply operations across UK & EMEA

Istanbul, Türkiye

About

Supply chain and procurement leader with 20+ years of experience across automotive and defense sectors, operating in complex, multi-regional environments such as as Otokar, BMC Power, Daimler, Toyota, and Alexander Dennis. Currently leading a £97M spend across the UK, EU, and SEEMEA regions, with responsibility for supplier performance, cost optimization, and supply continuity. My work has consistently involved structuring and improving supplier bases, expanding and diversifying sourcing footprint, and aligning engineering, quality, and operations to deliver sustainable results. I have built teams, established regional capabilities, and managed supplier transitions in both stable and high-pressure environments. I bring a practical, execution-focused approach to supply chain challenges, with a strong emphasis on resilience, cost discipline, and cross-functional alignment. Languages: Turkish (native), English (fluent), German (fluent), Arabic (fusha-intermediate)

Experience

  • Regional Procurement Director at Alexander Dennis
    May 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Procurement of bus parts, components and materials in SEEMEA region. Based in Bursa, Türkiye, we benefit from the region's power in bus parts supply to contribute to the strength of Alexander Dennis and the NFI Group!

  • BMC Power (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Supply Chain Director
      Mar 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 9 mos

    • Director
      Mar 2021 - Oct 2022 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Director of Procurement and Supply Chain

    • Manager
      Nov 2018 - Oct 2022 · 4 yrs

      Strategic Procurement and Supply Management

  • Toyota Motor Europe (14 yrs 2 mos)
    • Project Lead
      Jun 2012 - Nov 2018 · 6 yrs 6 mos

      Risk identification and management starting from sourcing stage until SOP (start of production), coordination of project engineers' activities (team of 40 engineers) to address and manage the determined risks at the supplier base, ensuring smooth production preparation and a successful SOP for Toyota Motor Turkey and Toyota Motor Russia plants' projects.

    • Project Leader
      Jun 2010 - Jun 2012 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      2 years expat at Toyota's European headquarters in Brussels, working as project leader at Purchasing for new projects. Main responsibility is risk identification and management starting from sourcing stage until SOP (start of production) and coordination of activities of project engineers (team of 40 engineers) to address and manage the risks at all supplier base, ensuring smooth production preparation and a successful SOP.

    • Senior Engineer
      Feb 2008 - Jun 2010 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Supplier Production Management Follow up of suppliers for production preparation for new projects and mass production stability Mainly functional / chassis parts Expertise in automotive glazing, injection and blow molding plastic parts and related tooling

  • Localisation Senior Engineer at Mercedes-Benz Türk A.Ş.
    Oct 2003 - Oct 2004 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Purchasing & Production preparation follow up of bought out parts for new vehicle projects.

  • Engineer at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey
    Feb 2001 - Oct 2003 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    Supplier Parts & Components Engineer at Purchasing Division Following up production preparation (tooling, materials and process preparation) at supplier for new project parts - plastic injection and NVH parts