Sophio Makishvili

Guria Fish Farming is a land-based Atlantic salmon farming, fish processing, and seafood production company, operating a fish plant and related processing infrastructure.

Responsible for international sourcing and procurement of machinery, processing equipment, technical systems, and industrial solutions required for fish farming, processing operations, and plant development.

• Lead international sourcing and procurement activities for fish farming, fish processing plant, and industrial equipment across Europe, Turkey, Asia, India, and the Middle East.
• Source and evaluate processing machinery, heavy equipment, construction machinery, and technical systems required for plant operations, expansion, and production efficiency.
• Identify, assess, and onboard reliable international manufacturers, OEMs, suppliers, and distributors for machinery, equipment, and specialized industrial solutions.
• Manage supplier communication, technical clarifications, commercial evaluation, and offer comparison to support procurement decisions.
• Support procurement of equipment related to fish handling, processing, cold chain, utility systems, lifting solutions, and technical plant infrastructure.
• Develop long-term sourcing strategies to ensure cost competitiveness, supplier reliability, operational continuity, and timely delivery.
• Establish and maintain strategic supplier partnerships across international markets to support the company’s processing and operational requirements.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders on technical and commercial requirements for machinery and equipment procurement.
• Monitor market opportunities, supplier capabilities, lead times, and commercial conditions to ensure effective sourcing outcomes.

- Oversee procurement for hotel refurbishment and fit-out projects across Europe.
- Coordinate opportunities between developers and international manufacturers.
- Facilitate commercial negotiations and supplier engagement.

Support U.S.-based and international companies by managing vendor and customer onboarding processes, operational documentation, and ongoing relationship coordination. My role focuses on ensuring smooth registrations, compliance with internal standards, and clear communication between all stakeholders.
- Manage end-to-end vendor and customer registration & onboarding processes
- Coordinate and maintain accurate operational records, applications, and compliance documentation
- Act as a primary point of contact for vendor and partner communication, ensuring timely follow-ups
- Support internal teams with process alignment, status tracking, and documentation control
- Ensure onboarding workflows meet operational, contractual, and compliance standards
- Assist with process improvements to streamline registration and relationship management activities

- Developed supplier and contractor networks across construction developers, EPC contractors, and engineering firms supporting business growth and commercial partnerships.
- Oversee end-to-end procurement and strategic sourcing for projects involving construction materials, MEP and HVAC systems, infrastructure components, and hospitality FF&E/OS&E.
- Lead tender preparation and procurement processes, including contractor sourcing, RFQ/RFP management, bid evaluation, and contract award recommendations.
- Prepare Tender Award Recommendation reports and conduct supplier due diligence, NDA execution, and vendor on-boarding.
- Develop procurement strategies aligned with project budgets, timelines, and technical requirements across real estate, infrastructure, and hospitality developments.
- Coordinate global sourcing and supplier negotiations to ensure competitive pricing, quality compliance, and reliable delivery.

- Oversee procurement of construction materials from international manufacturers.
- Lead RFQ lifecycle, including supplier identification and negotiation.
- Conduct thorough supplier due diligence with financial and operational assessments.
- Prepare comprehensive commercial comparison analyses for pricing and delivery.
- Coordinate logistics and supply chain operations with freight forwarders.
- Managed sourcing and procurement of infrastructure, MEP systems, and construction materials from international manufacturers and suppliers.
- Led the RFQ lifecycle including supplier identification, bid evaluation, negotiation, and contract award.
- Conducted supplier due diligence and commercial comparisons covering pricing, delivery, and compliance.
- Coordinated international logistics and supply chain operations with freight forwarders to ensure timely delivery.

• Spearheaded the development and optimization of purchasing workflows to streamline procurement processes and enhance operational efficiency.
• Identified, evaluated, and selected high-quality suppliers for wholesale trade, achieving significant cost savings.
• Utilized AI-driven tools and data analytics to enhance purchasing decisions, resulting in improved inventory forecasting and management.
• Negotiated favorable contract terms with vendors, securing advantageous agreements that benefit organizational goals.
• Fostered strong vendor relationships to ensure consistent quality and reliability in supply chain operations.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align procurement strategies with overall business objectives and drive value creation.

- Spearheaded MEP procurement initiatives exceeding USD 2.32M across diverse international markets, meeting tight project deadlines.
- Managed the full procurement lifecycle, including RFPs, bid evaluations, and contract awards.
- Coordinated vendor due diligence and supplier qualification.
- Enhanced international logistics and supply chain operations.
- Achieved over USD 350K in cost savings through effective strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and value engineering practices.
- Cultivated and maintained strategic partnerships with 8 leading global Tier-1 MEP brands, ensuring adherence to quality standards and compliance.
- Directed and managed 26 international logistics operations, efficiently coordinating shipments from Europe and the USA to the Caribbean.
- Oversaw the complete MEP procurement process, enhancing operational efficiency and supply chain effectiveness.

- Oversaw end-to-end procurement for a USD 150M+ luxury development project, managing a procurement team of 8 and coordinating sourcing activities across multiple project packages.
- Directed the full tender lifecycle, including RFP, RFQ, and RFT preparation, bidder coordination, bid evaluation, and tender award recommendations.
- Negotiated contracts exceeding USD 32M with international suppliers and contractors, ensuring favorable commercial and delivery terms.
- Led ERP procurement system implementation, improving procurement tracking, reporting, and operational transparency.

Lead the procurement function for construction projects, managing sourcing and purchasing of construction materials, MEP systems, infrastructure components, equipment, and subcontractor services.
- Ensure cost efficiency, supplier reliability, and timely delivery aligned with project schedules and budgets.
- Lead procurement operations for construction projects, including sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management.
- Oversee the tender process (RFQ/RFP), bid evaluation, and contract awards.
- Manage procurement of construction materials, MEP systems, and infrastructure equipment.
- Conduct supplier negotiations and contract management to ensure competitive pricing and quality.
- Coordinate with engineering and project teams to align procurement with project timelines and requirements.
- Ensure procurement compliance, documentation control, and supplier performance management.

- Oversaw procurement activities for large residential development projects.
- Directed tendering processes, bid evaluations, and contract awards.
- Negotiated contracts with contractors and consultants.
- Prepared procurement reports and conducted cost analyses to support decision-making.
- Managed end-to-end procurement for 26+ residential construction projects with a total value of USD180M+, delivering 18% cost savings through strategic sourcing and negotiations.
- Executed competitive tendering processes (RFQ/RFP, bid evaluation, supplier selection) in line with project and regulatory requirements.
- Sourced and negotiated construction and MEP materials (electrical, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing)based on BOQs and technical specifications.
- Negotiated commercial and contractual terms, prepared procurement documentation, and coordinated internal approvals.
- Oversaw international logistics, imports, customs clearance, and prepared procurement performance and supplier evaluation reports.

• Established and managed strategic relationships with Tier-1 global manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors including HP, Dell, Bosch, Legrand, Honeywell, Genetec, Salto, Gunnebo, ASSA ABLOY, and other MEP & Low Current systems brands.
• Led a procurement team of up to 5 professionals, delivering end-to-end MEP project procurement for hotels, premium villas, commercial, and industrial developments.
• Managed a vendor ecosystem of 500+ approved vendors, actively engaging 200+ international suppliers across Turkey, Asia, Europe, the USA, and global markets.
• Directed the full procurement lifecycle: global sourcing, cost comparison and optimization, PO issuance, contract management, logistics, warehouse delivery, and compliance with technical specifications.
• Executed project registration and high-value negotiations, achieving 15% cost savings, while controlling USD 120M+ procurement spend under strict governance, quality, and timeline requirements.

• Provided strategic guidance on procurement best practices, optimizing processes across various projects.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement efficient sourcing strategies.
• Conducted comprehensive market analysis to inform procurement decisions and drive cost savings.
• Developed and maintained strong vendor relationships, ensuring quality and reliability in supply chain operations.
• Streamlined procurement workflows, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced lead times.
• Implemented performance metrics to track procurement effectiveness and enhance decision-making.
• Leveraged industry insights to support the organization in achieving its procurement goals and objectives.

• Led IT & Telecommunication Infrastructure procurement, managing USD 93M+ contracts, including the West Region Network GSM/LTE Expansion, in close collaboration with Tier-1 global brands (Ericsson, Huawei, Oracle, Mitas Industry, Sunshine).
• Delivered cost optimization through strategic sourcing aligned with technical and operational requirements.
• Negotiated commercial and contractual terms with local and international suppliers, OEMs, and system integrators.
• Managed tendering, compliance evaluation, and market/competitor analysis for telecom and IT procurements.
• Oversaw import/export, customs procedures, and implemented a SAP vendor management module to improve data accuracy and procurement efficiency.

• Supervised and coordinated nationwide teams, improving procedures and streamlining operational processes.
• Delivered staff training and capability development, supporting performance and professional growth.
• Prepared management and Ministry of Finance reports, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Oversaw permits for dual-use goods, monitored state military cargo imports, and coordinated origin certificate issuance.