Mutlu Cavusoglu, R&D Director, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

Mutlu Cavusoglu, R&D Director, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
Years with AD
14
Attribute
Curious
Interest
Creative

 

What attracted you to your chosen work?  

 

A fascination with bikes and the materials used in making them sparked my interest in material science in my teenage years in Turkey. This led me to a Master of Materials Science in the USA and a PDEng in product development engineering in the Netherlands. I was eager to work in a field to bridge the gap between technical ideas and real-world solutions. A former classmate working for Avery Dennison introduced me to the perfect opportunity of being a product development engineer in the graphic products function.  

 

What skills did you develop early that are still useful today?

 

Cross-cultural awareness has always been second nature to me. This skill was honed from a young age by having friends from different countries, living in other cultures and representing the international student office during my university years. While my high school teacher envisioned my future in international diplomacy, I found my calling in science. However, the ability to understand and relate to people from diverse backgrounds remains a cornerstone of my personality and is invaluable in my work today.

 

How have you grown in your career at Avery Dennison?

 

My Avery Dennison journey began in 2009 as an Automotive Products Development Engineer in the Graphics business. Within a year, I was promoted to Global R&D Manager for this group, a role I held for two years. This was followed by eight years managing the Graphics R&D team in Europe. Currently, I'm leading the R&D group for high-value Segments within our Label and Packaging Materials business. My career has spanned different teams, businesses, and product groups, but innovation, product development and people have always been at its core.

 

Mutlu Cavusoglu, R&D Director, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
Mutlu Cavusoglu, R&D Director, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

 

What's the biggest stretch opportunity you've taken on? 

 

One of the most rewarding experiences in my career has been co-founding the EMEA chapter of UNITE with my colleagues. This Avery Dennison employee resource group champions the LGBTQI+ and ally community. Since its launch in 2019, UNITE has been instrumental in shaping and implementing corporate diversity initiatives and earning recognition from global benchmarks. Seeing our work raising awareness and making Avery Dennison a more inclusive and safe space for everyone has been incredible. 


What role has mentorship played in your career?


Mentorship has played an invaluable role in my career development. The wisdom and guidance from formal and informal mentors, with their vast years of experience, have been instrumental in shaping my professional journey. I vividly recall my early days at work in Hazerswoude, grappling with unfamiliar tools and processes. The support and encouragement of my mentors transformed those challenges into valuable learning experiences. Inspired by their impact, I've embraced the opportunity to pay it forward. Sharing my experiences and contributing to the development of others has become one of the driving joys in my career.

 

 

A fascination with bikes and the materials used in making them sparked my interest in material science in my teenage years in Turkey.

 

What's the best career decision you've ever made?

 

It's exciting to be part of a dynamic environment where new career opportunities constantly emerge for those eager to broaden their horizons or delve deeper into their chosen fields. I'm grateful for the managers who have challenged and encouraged me to explore different areas. I'm pleased that I decided to be immersed in the world of innovation in R&D. The thrill of continuous change and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact drives me.

As you think about the next steps in your career, what are the most important actions you plan to take?

 

I'm eager to cultivate a team of innovators ready to confront the challenges of our ever-changing, fragile world. By bridging our internal material science and digital expertise strengths, I want to develop the skills to create solutions that open new doors for us and our customers. This will be an exciting opportunity for all of us to learn, grow, and constantly push the boundaries of what's possible.

 

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

 

Without a doubt, teamwork! Developing a new product is always filled with uncertainties and challenges. However, I've found that trust and teamwork are the key ingredients to overcoming any obstacle. I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and supportive team. Teamwork continues after working hours, too. Recently, we completed a grueling 100 km rowing regatta with our Avery Dennison colleagues. While we faced physical and weather-related challenges, teamwork and trust ultimately led us to the finish line. This experience reinforced my belief that together, we can achieve anything.

 

Mutlu Cavusoglu, R&D Director, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

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