Director, FF&E Sourcing

The purpose of the Director, Strategic Sourcing, FF&E will be to plan, organize, direct, and control the purchasing functions for all products within the specified module across all fourteen (14) brands. In this role, you will work closely with design firms, brand teams, and hotels to ensure client satisfaction, and adhere to industry and brand best practices. In addition, you will develop, implement, and direct global programs in support of Supply Management, Corporate Responsibility, and Hilton initiatives, as well as plan, organize and direct the strategic alignment of the Supply Management global enterprise.

What will I be doing?

As a Team Member in this role, you will be responsible for:

Strategic Direction & Execution:

• Develop new or re-negotiating existing programs and effectively managing supplier relationships on a national and/or global scale, as applicable, to ensure that the established level of quality products and services are purchased at the lowest total cost and best quality while supporting Hilton’s world-class sustainability initiatives across all fourteen (14) brands
• You will need to possess the ability to execute strategies based on subject matter expertise and leadership acumen, in order to become a trusted advisor with key internal and external stakeholders
• Assist corporate management in identifying hotels that are not following established purchasing programs and/or specifications

Leadership & People Management:

• Lead the FF&E Sourcing team, as well as the development of transformation of Team Members to create an environment that encourages active participation and teamwork with paths for advancement and improvement
• Participate in the determination of staffing needs and the recruiting, selecting, hiring, training and developing of Team Members or contingent workforce as required
• Follow and provide input into departmental processes and procedures to ensure strategies and directives of department are carried out in accordance with department and company objectives
• Prioritize and organize the assignment of tasks, while ensuring optimal allocation of resources

Communication & Relationship Building:

• Act as the key liaison and subject matter expert by engaging, aligning, and working closely with key internal and external stakeholders, including Human Resources and Legal to develop, beta test, and implement products and brand standards across the enterprise
• Share relevant information in a clear, professional and concise manner
• Follow the established key stakeholder communication plan to ensure that all departmental communications are proactively executed to create a sense of partnership even while dealing with ambiguity to manage any risk, and resolve conflict effectively
• Communicate successful bid announcements and send confirmation letters to impacted companies
• Manage effective partnerships with manufacturers, distributors, service providers, hotels, brands, corporate departments, other internal and external constituents, etc., to ensure accuracy of invoicing to the properties
• Effectively manage conflict resolutions and handle all disputes in a swift and efficient manner
• Coordinate, conduct and participate in meetings and discussions between suppliers and/or supplier representatives and corporate staff concerning subjects other than normal price, delivery or quality negotiations (i.e., value analysis or engineering, new methods, techniques and processes)
• Effectively manage relationships with suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, hotels, and other internal and external constituents; provide exceptional customer service to all internal and external stakeholders

Business Performance & Accountability:

• Ability to forecast cost savings and new or re-bid program synergies using most recent and acceptable business practices to develop and document effective cost analysis and award bids accordingly
• Measure the savings and perform business analysis to report to key internal and external stakeholders as appropriate
• Effectively manage supplier contracts and all related documents in a detailed and accurate manner
• Approve all changes to existing contracted items, new and/or deleted items, inclusive of pricing verification and amendments
• Collect and manage electronic purchasing data from current distributors nationwide for the preparation of analysis studies and to identify leverage opportunities
• Work closely with diversity in establishing WMBE opportunities where appropriate, including, but not limited to, identifying and qualifying WMBE suppliers and manufacturers and include WMBE suppliers and manufacturers in the RFx process

Process Innovation & Tactical Delivery:

• Oversee and evaluate business processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness within the department
• Manage the entire RFx process from conducting initial due diligence to finalizing contract negotiations in a cross-functional environment with applicable brands and/or corporate departments; validate supplier selection and performance through price benchmarking, auditing, conducting reference checks, etc.
• Conduct effective management of third party partners
• Supervise the Purchasing and Supply Managers and Buyers throughout the “requests for quotations” (RFQ’s) process to ensure that all are in compliance, as well as to confirm customer satisfaction and if needed, contact the supplier for additional information and/or quotation
• Negotiate and monitor quality and cost of services
• Ensure accurate maintenance of confidential supplier files and departmental databases, in order to meet compliance standards
• Validate the supplier selection process through benchmarking, inclusive of supplier tours and the completion of supplier questionnaires
• Check supplier's references and where feasible, research the financial health of the company
• Work with suppliers, manufacturers, and cross-functional teams to conduct product reviews and product rationalization
• Determine new and innovative ways to reduce product costs and/or improve product quality