About our company Premier: Premier Project Management provides design, procurement, engineering development and project management services to hotels. This includes implementing the majority of capital improvements for properties owned by Ashford Hospitality Trust (NYSE: AHT) and other hotel and mulit-family ownership groups. As an Interior Designer, you will work on the interior renovation of projects with varying levels of complexity from design through construction and installation. You will work with and receive mentorship from senior members in the department.
Position Summary: The Vice President of Hospitality Procurement is responsible for the strategic planning, sourcing, procurement, and execution of all purchasing initiatives across new builds, renovations, and capital improvement projects. This role partners closely with Construction, Design, Operations, Finance, and Property Leadership to ensure all projects are delivered within schedule, within budget, and aligned with brand/company standards. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in hospitality procurement, contract negotiation, supplier transitions, and ownership of enterprise-wide vendor relationships.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Procurement & Operations
- Drive initiatives for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and risk mitigation across all FF&E/OS&E categories.
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers.
- Negotiate contracts, terms, warranties, and pricing agreements — including master service agreements (MSAs) and preferred vendor programs — to secure optimal value.
- Oversee complete FF&E/OFCI/OS&E procurement lifecycle from specification review through delivery, installation, and punch-out.
- Monitor and validate vendor proposals, cut sheets, and submittals to ensure design intent and compliance.
- Manage value-engineering efforts with design and operations while preserving design integrity.
- Optimize supply chain performance including inventory management, production schedules, warehousing, and logistics.
- Integrate AI-driven tools to streamline procurement workflows, improve accuracy, and enhance cross-department visibility.
- Monitor all expediting reports to ensure accuracy, timely execution, and alignment with project milestones.
- Audit suppliers for quality, reliability, financial stability, and ethical sourcing.
- Oversee purchasing policies, procedures, and controls to ensure consistency and compliance across the organization.
Master Vendor & Supplier Relationships
- Serve as the primary relationship owner for key national and regional vendors.
- Monitor vendor and supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and regular business reviews, including production timelines, quality control, freight damage, and installation resolutions.
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation with strategic suppliers.
Project Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead projects and cross-functional teams from Design Development through Budget Review, Approval, and Funding Requests.
- Ensure project needs are identified, addressed, and communicated clearly to all departments and clients.
- Coordinate closely with design, construction, operations, finance, and ownership groups for project alignment.
- Manage warehousing, attic stock, surplus inventory, and disposition of owner goods.
- Oversee freight, global sourcing, customs, and risk mitigation for international FF&E supply chains.
Vendor Transitions & Onboarding
- Lead vendor onboarding, transitions, and offboarding processes across the portfolio.
- Ensure seamless change management with minimal disruption to hotel operations.
- Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders during transitions (operations, finance, legal, IT).
- Maintain documentation and communication plans for all vendor changes.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead a high-performance procurement team with a collaborative, accountable culture.
- Set performance goals, provide coaching, and conduct regular evaluations.
- Implement workflow improvements that strengthen operational efficiency and cross-department coordination.
- Partner with the VP and executive leadership to support team development and apply marketing/client data for client initiatives.
- Provide guidance and support to property-level leaders on procurement best practices.
Financial Management & Value Optimization
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or service.
- Track, analyze, and report measurable cost savings from procurement activities.
- Prepare and deliver procurement reports, performance dashboards, and financial updates to senior leadership.
- Manage financial programs, compliance, and follow-through for client projects.
- Maintain accurate forecasting of budgets, lead times, cash flows, and procurement risk indicators.
Client Support & Experience
- Manage client satisfaction survey releases, monitoring, and feedback analysis.
- Collaborate with Business Development to apply data insights that support enhanced client service and reporting.
- Ensure procurement processes support client expectations and project outcomes.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Hospitality Management, or related field (MBA preferred).
- 8–12+ years of progressive experience in procurement and contract management, preferably within hospitality or multi-unit operations.
- Proven track record managing master vendor agreements and strategic supplier relationships.
- Experience leading vendor transitions and change management initiatives.
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-property environment.
Compensation & Benefits:
Requirements:
Physical Requirements (In-Office Role)
- Ability to work in a standard office environment.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. (6-8 hours a day)
- Occasional standing and walking throughout the workday.
- Frequent fine motor skills, use of hands and fingers for keyboarding/typing, utilizing a mouse or trackpad, writing, and operating office equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, reach, or carry items.
- Ability to lift and/or move 10–25 pounds as needed (e.g., files, office supplies).
- Visual ability to read from a computer screen and printed materials including close visual focus for extended periods and color differentiation (for certain roles).
- Ability to hear and participate in conversations and meetings, use phone and/or headset
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
