Mohammed Naeem, procurement manager at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, shares the secrets of finding a good supplier
How long have you been in hotel purchasing?
I have been in hotel purchasing for seven years.
What products are you on the lookout for?
I am currently searching for good-quality food and beverage operating supplies, room amenities, guest supplies, furniture, kitchen equipment, chillers and boilers.
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What area of your hotel are you most proud of?
I am proud of our very special suite product at the hotel, our 23 villas. Each villa has its own swimming pool and private access to the beach. They are low lying, surrounded by azure waters, and each has a distinctive identity and allure.
The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain’s villas introduce a Caribbean-style exterior and an infusion of contemporary and Asian touches within the interior design. Within this exclusive sanctuary, you escape the ordinary world and enter a world where idyllic stretches of sand slope gently into warm waters of magnificent turquoise blue.
Tell us about one of your most successful deals?
Last year we were really struggling to find a sofa and chair fabric already existing in the hotel that was required for re-upholstery. The local vendors who supplied it previously quoted a really high price for the exact same fabric. After several days of research I was able to find a vendor in Dubai who could produce the same fabric.
I contacted him and arranged a meeting with him showing the samples of the fabric which we had, and he confirmed at the same time that he would be able to produce it.
The supplier created the samples within only 15 days, which was a very quick turnaround time, which impressed me. After presenting the samples, the management was very pleased and agreed on the spot. We purchased the complete set of fabric at a much lower cost and I was able to save US $63,555 in the end.
What does a supplier have to do to impress you?
A supplier needs to be honest, competitive in price, service-oriented, and, above all, needs to deliver the goods as committed and on time.
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