Purchasing Manager

Company Description

The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, set to open its doors in the vibrant heart of Bangkok, will be the first Fairmont brand in Thailand. This 416-room luxury hotel, taking design inspiration from the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and contemporary dynamism, will offer an exquisite blend of traditional Thai aesthetics and modern sophistication. Positioned as an urban resort, our guests will be able to enjoy a very special and unique range of offerings such as eight dining and bar venues including a rooftop terrace, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, an extensive gym and an entire floor of wellness spa. For corporate and social groups, the Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit will offer two ballrooms, as well as eight meeting rooms, making it an outstanding destination for meetings, conferencing and events. The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit is set to become the social epicenter of Bangkok, embodying our belief that a Fairmont is a truly special place!

Job Description

Position: Purchasing Manager

Department: Finance & Business Support

Reports to: Director of Finance and Business Support

Working Location: Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit or any assigned venues

As the Purchasing Manager at the Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, you'll be a key part of our mission to be a "truly special place," embodying our belief that "true luxury is inclusive." You'll be the champion of our procurement processes, ensuring every purchase is a step toward delivering exceptional guest experiences and "driving value for our owners and partners." This role is critical in safeguarding our financial health and supporting our commitment to sustainability, quality, and the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Your work will directly contribute to our ability to "make special happen" for our guests and colleagues, all while supporting our ambition to achieve and maintain Forbes 5-Star recognition.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Vendor Management

• Lead the entire purchasing and procurement process, from sourcing to delivery, ensuring all activities are efficient, ethical, and transparent.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with vendors and suppliers, negotiating contracts to secure the best quality goods and services at the most competitive prices.
• Establish and enforce best practices in vendor management and supply chain efficiency, proactively identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising on quality.
• Act as a "connector" to various departments, understanding their needs and ensuring timely and accurate procurement of all necessary goods.

Financial Control & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure all purchasing activities strictly adhere to the hotel's financial policies and procedures, including those governing the entire purchasing process to protect hotel assets from fraud, waste, and financial exposure.
• Work closely with the Director of Finance to implement and rigorously enforce robust internal controls, ensuring all transactions are accurately documented and transparent.
• Maintain meticulous records and documentation for all purchases and vendor contracts to support internal and external audits, including CSA Audits, consistently exceeding expectations.
• Safeguard the financial integrity of the hotel, embodying a highly "accountable" and detail-oriented approach to every transaction.

Quality, Food Safety & Operational Excellence

• Oversee the procurement of all food and beverage products, ensuring suppliers meet the highest standards of Food Safety and hygiene.
• Champion the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) process within the purchasing department, ensuring all suppliers are vetted for compliance and product integrity.
• Actively manage purchasing to support operational efficiency initiatives across all departments, providing reliable and timely access to necessary supplies.
• Support the hotel's ambition to achieve Forbes 5-Star recognition by ensuring all purchased goods and services meet unparalleled quality and luxury standards.

Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing (ESG & CSR)

• Drive the hotel’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) goals by implementing and overseeing sustainable purchasing practices.
• Prioritize sourcing from local and ethical suppliers, advocating for products and services that minimize environmental impact and support the local community.
• Integrate sustainability criteria into the vendor selection and evaluation process, providing financial insights into the economic and environmental impact of our purchasing decisions.
• Support the hotel's sustainability-driven goals by evaluating and advocating for investments in green technologies and responsible resource management through our supply chain.

Team Leadership & System Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing team, fostering a high-performing, ethical, and collaborative work environment.
• Be able to set up the entire purchasing process and its infrastructure from the ground up, establishing a streamlined and efficient system.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of purchasing systems, particularly the Future Log system, and use it to manage procurement, inventory, and vendor relationships effectively.
• Ensure all team members are well-trained in financial policies, risk management, and the ethical standards of the Fairmont brand.

Prospective & Expectation: The Fairmont Way

At Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, we believe that everyone is the Guest Service, Security, Sales & Marketing, and Human Resources Person. This means:

• Guest Service: You ensure that the quality of our procured products directly supports every department's ability to "make special happen" for our guests. By sourcing premium, fresh, and sustainable goods, you are the foundation of our luxury amenities and unforgettable culinary experiences, aligning with our Forbes 5-Star standards.
• Security: You are the primary guardian of financial integrity within the procurement process. You ensure all purchasing policies and procedures are safe, risk-free, and transparent, protecting the hotel's assets from financial vulnerabilities. Your meticulous management of vendor contracts and invoices guarantees that our financial audits consistently exceed expectations.
• Sales & Marketing: You provide the crucial financial discipline that empowers our commercial teams. By ensuring cost-effective and strategic purchasing, you help optimize profitability and "drive value for our owners and partners," allowing us to invest in marketing initiatives that enhance our market share.
• Human Resources: You ensure fair and transparent financial practices for all colleagues, particularly concerning payroll-related supplies and benefits-in-kind. You cultivate an ethical work environment through responsible and honest purchasing, contributing to overall colleague satisfaction and living our belief that "colleagues are the heart and soul of our hotel." We are accountable to helping make our community a better place through sound and sustainable financial management.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in purchasing, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role within a luxury hospitality or similar high-end industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supply chain management.
• Proven experience in managing food safety and quality assurance processes, with a strong understanding of GMP standards.
• Experience in setting up a purchasing department's infrastructure and implementing new procurement systems, with a solid knowledge of systems like Future Log.
• Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English and Thai is essential for effective communication with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Competencies

• A "results-oriented" leader with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a keen eye for detail.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Unwavering integrity and a strong commitment to ethical conduct and corporate governance.
• A true "connector", fostering strong relationships with all department heads and external vendors.
• Highly "empathetic," "approachable," and "genuine," building trust and transparency with all stakeholders.
• "Well-presented" and professionally groomed at all times, embodying the professionalism and sophistication of the Fairmont brand.