Sagar Ankush Daswadkar, Purchase Manager, Sayaji Pune

How has the approach to purchasing products and sourcing products for hotels changed over the years? How has the pandemic affected and changed it?

In the present scenario markets have widened and technology is another factor that adds to the dynamics. A few years back sourcing was from limited suppliers and markets but the current market is competitive and finding resources no more remains a challenge. Purchasing has been more of greater mix rates and negotiating tactics.

Pandemic has given a different face to purchasing as it’s no more about buying products it’s also about suppliers’ bandwidth to deliver with tight manning and restricted cash flows. Though the market is competitive at the same time it has become price sensitive. Though the pandemic has broadened the online market (Amazon, etc.) companies are still working on the contingencies and losses suffered in the pandemic.

Are there any online solutions, portals, or consultants you prefer while making purchases for the hotel?

Online buying has become an important part of procurement as variety plays a vital role and logistics operations have to smoothen. While purchasing material earlier had limited sources and dependency on the local market was high. But online platforms like Indiamart, Just Dial, etc. have accelerated the buying demands and deliverables.

How do you look for new vendors and are you open to changing vendors for the regular requirements?

Market surveys, Manufacturers, distributors, Industry group recommendations, and online portals are ways to look for new vendors. A vendor is a partner in your deliverables in the organization and having a well-equipped vendor on board always eases the procurement but at the same time we have to make sure that procurement is about quality and pricing and if the market has better options, we should be open for a vendor change and a yearly tendering is the best option to do that.

What protocol (method of vendor search, registration etc) do you follow for purchasing?

Vendor protocol mainly involves the legal establishment and compliance of the vendor with proper proofs of documents with vendor registration forms and brochure.

—–