Meet Gizem Pınar: A Process Engineer Turned to Scientist II at Mondelēz

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

How did you start your career at Mondelēz International Türkiye, Gebze Plant?

I started my career at Mondelēz International Türkiye, Gebze Plant, in 2023 as a Process Engineer. As a food engineer, I’ve always believed that a strong foundation in production is essential for a sustainable career in the food industry. During my two years in production, I gained hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, quality systems, and problem-solving under real production conditions. This period helped me understand how products come to life from concept to large-scale production, and it also improved my leadership and teamwork abilities.

After building this solid production background, I decided to redirect my career path toward my true passion, which is in Research & Development (R&D). And I’m grateful that I was able to follow through on this career aspiration when I recently joined the Poland R&D team in November. I believe that combining my operational production experience with my technical background in research and innovation will enable me to contribute much more effectively to developing new and improved products at Mondelēz.

What initially attracted you to Mondelēz International, and how has your experience aligned with your expectations?

What attracted me most to Mondelēz was its strong global presence, diverse and inclusive work environment, and the company’s clear focus on continuous improvement and employee development. I knew this experience would not only strengthen my technical and operational skills but also help me grow professionally and personally.

Over time, I’ve realized that my experience at Mondelēz has truly met these expectations. Working in a dynamic production environment has allowed me to collaborate with talented teams, take ownership of key projects, and see how global standards are applied at a local level. I’ve also had the chance to continuously learn through cross-functional projects, problem-solving activities, and a culture of sharing and mutual learning.

Overall, being part of Mondelēz has strengthened my motivation to continue growing within the company and to contribute even more to the future.

What resources or training programs at Mondelēz have been most beneficial in developing your skills?

One of the most valuable aspects of working at Mondelēz has been the access to various structured training programs and continuous learning resources. Among these, the IL6S tools and methodologies have been especially beneficial for my professional development.

Through IL6S trainings and on-the-job applications, I’ve gained a strong understanding of problem-solving techniques, root cause analysis, and process optimization. Using IL6S tools, I learned how to identify inefficiencies, implement sustainable improvements, and measure performance effectively.

I’ve also benefited from internal learning platforms and functional training sessions that focus on safety, quality systems, and sustainability. These programs have helped me not only to enhance my technical and analytical skills but also to improve collaboration and communication within cross-functional teams.

Could you describe a significant challenge you faced in your role and how you overcame it?

Over the past two years as a Process Engineer, one significant challenge I faced was managing multiple production issues simultaneously and determining which required immediate attention. Together with my team and manager, we conducted loss analyses to identify the most critical problems and prioritized our actions accordingly. This approach allowed us to address key issues more effectively and reduce production losses.

WHow do you balance the demands of your role with your personal life, and what support does Mondelēz provide in this area?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important to me, and Mondelēz provides support in this area. The company promotes a positive and understanding work culture, encourages realistic goal setting, and ensures that employees have the resources and autonomy they need to manage their responsibilities effectively. This approach helps me stay focused and energized at work while still having time to enjoy life outside the office.

As a young professional, what advice would you give to new graduates who want to pursue a career similar to yours?

My advice to new graduates would be to stay curious and open to learning from every experience. Don’t rush the process; take time to understand the fundamentals of production and how things really work on the floor, because that knowledge will become a strong foundation for any future role, including R&D. Also, they should be open-minded and never see their first role as their final destination. Be proactive, stay flexible, and never hesitate to take on challenges outside your comfort zone. Every experience adds value, and over time, it all connects and leads you closer to where you genuinely want to be.