AL KARIMOV                        Fairfield, CT 06825 Ÿ (203) 543 8155 Ÿ a.h.karimov@gmail.com

       *Green Card holder with prior US jobs experience

 

BUYER / PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST

 

Multi lingual, results oriented, tech-savvy, hands-on professional with combined direct and indirect procurement experience including shipping, receiving, and payments within international research, educational and business environments. Strong interpersonal skills, effective relationship builder, team and solo player. Responsible, self-motivated, respectful for compliance in all regulated environments. Able to work effectively in a high pressure environment over multiple tasks, and improve or reengineer processes. Adaptable to changes and positively charged.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

* Contract Negotiations * Sourcing * Strategic Planning * Import and Export * Project Management * Product Planning * Data Analysis * Issue Identification/Resolution * Quality Assurance and Product Compliance

 

TECHNICAL/IT SKILLS

Ÿ   Extensive knowledge of computer hardware and software configuration. Operating Systems: Windows, MacOS.  Software: MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook). Good knowledge of AutoCAD, CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat.

Ÿ   Good knowledge of Audio/Visual technology (projectors, video conferencing), xDSL, FTTH, LAN.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Zerobloom Ps Ltd. and Bee Miracle Ltd. - Tashkent, Uzbekistan2012-2015

Group of companies engaged in beekeeping products, ostrich farms, vacation rentals, and auto parts.

Project Manager

Recruited by business owner to manage projects that include industry analysis, product vendor/supplier research and selection, negotiations, purchases, export, and regulatory compliance.

Ÿ   Originated technical design assignment for beekeeping products processing, packing plant, and clean room QC lab with respect to further implementation of ISO 22000 and ISO 17025 standards.

Ÿ   Refined project scope of work and proposed new equipment list from alternative vendors and suppliers worth $1.9M (in contrast to initial $5M) keeping overall business strategy intact.

Ÿ   Designed and implemented QA plan to improve supplier performance and adherence to European Union quality standards.

Ÿ   Formulated sourcing strategy, created suppliers’ pool, and procured RM and PM for beekeeping products processing business.

Ÿ   Obtained certificates of quality and exported organic honey to Malaysia for medical purposes, and bee colonies to Russia.

Ÿ   Drafted contract, transportation package design, and performed negotiations to export 50K bee colonies to Sweden via air cargo charter flights.

 

Gencell International Corp. - Tashkent, Uzbekistan2008-2012

BVI registered small business consultancy, trade and management company.

Consultant

Consulted local small businesses and investors about import-export operations, start-up business and investment planning. Performed industry research and project NPV, IRR and Payback period analysis.

Ÿ   Made feasibility analysis for aluminum composite panel production business and consulted local investors about foreign investment environment in Iran that resulted in establishing of joint venture Aluvista with initial $1M registered capital. Performed negotiations and investment protection registration of Aluvista with Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (O.I.E.T.A.I.) to secure investor capital.

Ÿ   Developed complete cost structure spreadsheet including scrap recycling plan for newly established joint venture Aluvista.

Ÿ   Managed procurement of capital equipment from China to Iran for Aluvista, sourced and negotiated pricing for raw materials, selected and visited potential suppliers.

Ÿ   Directly imported agricultural and warehouse machinery, lumber, wheat, and scrap metals from Russia, China, Belorussia, Ukraine performing RFP, RFQ, and regulatory/standards compliance analysis. Exported agricultural products to Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan. Delivered up to 25% savings in transportation costs by negotiating and involving unladen trucks and railroad cars from local logistics companies.

Ÿ   Monitored and resolved discrepancies in pro-forma and commercial invoices, freight bills, contract terms and conditions.

Ÿ   Launched scalable business model for privately owned company in flower seeds and seedlings import and export in cooperation with Ernst Benary Samenzucht GmbH, Germany.

Ÿ   Executed feasibility analysis for security systems solution company Sensor.AZ LLC (business partner of Tyco Sensormatic in the Caucasus and Central Asia).

 

Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Melioration (TIIM) - Tashkent, Uzbekistan2002-2009

One of the largest Central Asian Universities in land reclamation and water resources.

Leading Specialist, Assistant

 Acted as liaison in forgin relationships between TIIM, other local and foreign Universities.  Facilitated visa support for local and foreign students, and teaching staff. Provided administrative assistance in international educational and research projects including budget management and procurement.

Ÿ   Procured and managed software licenses. Supervised IT functions of EcoGIS Center. Introduced student account and digital library resources automation. Updated and edited websites.

Ÿ   Drove and implemented specific projects including: Designing of new chemistry lab plus procurement of lab equipment; and Development and integration of video conferencing tools for distance education.

Ÿ   Planned and managed inventory of EcoGIS Center. Generated reports and prepared manuals for new equipment.

Ÿ   Collaborated in drafting and editing international cooperative project proposals in educational and research areas that totaled 4 successful projects (about $1.2M funding) financed by the United Nations and European Union on competitive basis.

 

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS EXPERIENCE

United Nations FAO TCP/UZB3001 Project “Enhanced productivity of cotton-wheat systems through adoption of conservation agriculture practices” - Duty station: Tashkent, Uzbekistan                                           2004-2006

 

National Project Coordinator Assistant

Assisted NPC to perform project assignments including equipment procurement, local budget management, training seminars and field days arrangement activities.

Ÿ   Searched for local manufacturers, prepared RFQ and RFP.

Ÿ   Created Engineering Change Requests according to project specific tasks, and purchased custom designed and modified agricultural machinery.

Ÿ   Performed customs clearance and acquired local conformance certificates for agricultural machinery imported from Brazil and USA.

Ÿ   Navigated project team to meet goals within project timeframes.

Ÿ   Generated country report on agriculture and education systems of Brazil for the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan based on country study trip.

 

European Union TEMPUS Program: DESPES, EWASIA, TEAM Projects - Duty station: Tashkent, Uzbekistan and  Wageningen, the Netherlands                                                                                                                              2003-2007

 

Technical and Administrative Support Officer

Managed equipment procurement (biddings, purchases, customs clearance and certification procedures), inventory, and local budget. 

Ÿ   Prepared RFx, negotiated and drafted contracts for new graduate school renovation and construction services, chemistry lab, PCs, audio/visual, networking equipment, consumables, and furniture.

Ÿ   Revised HS codes and regulations that saved 25% in costs of imported lab and videoconferencing equipment.

 

EDUCATION

BS. in Business Administration - Management. Rochester Institute of Technology - Rochester, NY

 

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English, Russian, and Uzbek; beginning Spanish.