Ilia Bakulin

I help companies manage China sourcing from supplier search to shipment. I have more than 10 years of experience working with Chinese factories, lived in China for 7 years, visited 40+ factories and warehouses, graduated from Shanghai International Studies University, and work directly in Mandarin. My work covers supplier verification, sampling and pricing, negotiations, production follow-up, QC coordination, warehouse inspections, loading supervision, and export logistics.

I've handled consumer goods, industrial equipment, truck parts, and hazardous chemical raw materials with additional compliance requirements. Based in Buenos Aires. Open to remote contract projects and full-time remote roles.

China Sourcing / Procurement Specialist at Self Employed (2012-01 – Present)

Worked with Chinese manufacturers on sourcing, negotiations and production coordination.

• Supplier sourcing and factory communication in Mandarin
• Sampling, pricing negotiation and supplier verification
• Factory visits and quality control coordination
• Export logistics coordination and shipment planning

Founder | China Manufacturing Project Manager / Procurement Lead at TLK "Vosem Vetrov" (2020-01 – 2025-06)

Led end-to-end sourcing and procurement in China: supplier search and verification, Mandarin communication and negotiations, contract negotiation and management, sampling and pricing, production follow-up, and issue resolution. Traveled to China as needed for factory visits, in-person negotiations, and quality inspections (via local team and third-party inspectors when required). Managed purchases across both consumer and industrial categories, including porcelain, cutlery, lighting (incl. chandeliers), equipment and machinery, and truck parts/tires — including hazardous chemical raw materials. Coordinated lab testing when required and managed the additional steps these regulated orders involve.

Supported international logistics from China: shipment planning, multi-supplier consolidation, coordination with freight forwarders, and customs documentation and clearance coordination.

• Supplier search and verification
• Mandarin communication and negotiations
• Contract negotiation and management
• Sampling and pricing
• Production follow-up and issue resolution
• Factory visits and quality inspections
• Purchases across consumer and industrial categories
• Hazardous chemical raw materials management
• Lab testing coordination
• International logistics: shipment planning, multi-supplier consolidation
• Freight forwarder coordination
• Customs documentation and clearance coordination

Bachelor's degree in International Economics and Trade – Shanghai International Studies University (2014-09 – 2018-06)