Tell us about coronavirus’ impact on the purchase department of your hotel? How are you managing the supply within your hotel?
Keeping all the hygiene, safety and cleanliness protocols in mind all our vendors are briefed about the best practices like mandatory face mask usage, use of hand sanitizer, social distancing while delivering the products etc. The impact of coronavirus on the purchase department has seen the toughest time in history. However, building and maintaining relationships with our vendors- a matter of trust in these crucial times is one of the main things we are focusing on and enhancing vocal for local leading to major supply and demand for goods and services without compromising the brand standards and value.
What are the various measures/ compliances initiated to save cost?
From cost-effective facility improvement, repair, or alteration or equipment, fixtures, or furnishings added to or used in a facility is done in-house and designed to reduce energy or water consumption or operation and maintenance costs. This way minimum cost is involved with a better productivity. Negotiations and comparisons from different vendors, extension of contracts (if any), service addendum are few criteria kept in mind before onboarding new and existing vendors which are few measures/ compliances initiated to save cost.
How has the domain of purchase changed with COVID-19 outbreak? Do the purchase managers have to develop certain skills today?
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a colossal strain on worldwide supply chains, at times halting manufacturing while lockdown, shutting down airports, interrupting delivery of raw materials and finished goods. Our strategic initiative like reinforcing supply-chain resilience, zero-basing the plan of category value-creation methodologies, investing in advancement of supplier partnerships and innovation, accelerating reception of digital and analytics, and changing to an agile operating model helps us to additionally build up our aptitudes.
How do you identify high-risk vendors? What are the various measure and procedures introduced to deal with this?
A good supplier is an invaluable resource to the organization that requires its products or services, as they make a direct contribution to our hotel’s success. Understanding the business impact and regulatory risk with a disciplined approach while keeping the senior management and the board informed for any significant changes during the risk assessment. At Hyatt, Care is our superpower. That commitment to care for all our stakeholders – colleagues, guests, owners, shareholders and communities – drives all we do and how we work.
