Vijay Menon, sales manager at SICO presented Rajan Vattakandy from Al Bustan Palace InterContinental with his Procurement Manager of the Year award at the Hotelier Middle East Awards on Thursday.
Known as the 24/7 Man by everyone at the Al Bustan Palace, Rajan is an IHG stalwart, having started his career at the hotel as a houseman cleaner back in 1979!
He climbed the ladder, being promoted to his current position of area materials manager in 1998, and impressed the judges with his many innovations ever since.
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From introducing an e-procurement system to saving tens of thousands of dollars a year, it was clear to see why Rajan — who incidentally has not taken a day’s sick leave in 32 years — is so admired by his colleagues.
The resilient Vattakandy said: "I stay motivated because I am a workaholic person; when I am in the bathroom or sleeping I am thinking about my job. I have built my career from the bottom up and work is my priority."
He added: "Winning the award is excellent. This is my dream. Last year I was the runner up and now I have climed the step I was dreaming of — I made it."
Darvi Varghese, Danat Hotels and Resorts and Grace Flores – Sanchez from Doha Marriott hotel were both Highly Commended.
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