DELIVERING UNFORGETTABLE GUEST EXPERIENCES WITH A SIMPLE PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION
ROSEWOOD COR DEVA LLE:
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A GLEAMING EXAMPLE OF PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION 101 WRIT TEN BY
L AUR A MULL AN PRODUCED BY
DENITR A PRICE
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OFFERING EVERYTHING FROM WORLD-CLASS GOLF TO WINE TASTING, ROSEWOOD CORDEVALLE IS A HIDDEN GEM OF LUXURY THANKS IN PART TO ITS DILIGENT PRO C U R E M E N T T E A M
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estled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Rosewood CordeValle might be Northern California’s
best-kept secret. The four-star hotel rests on acres of rustic countryside making it the ideal spot for those craving to get some needed rest and relaxation. Yet, whilst guests enjoy golf courses and tranquil spas at their leisure, behind the scenes there’s a buzz of activity that ensures that guests receive an unforgettable stay. Scott Amarante, now Director of Procurement at Rosewood CordeValle, earned his stripes at the hotel. With almost 13 years’ experience at the property, he says that in essence his procurement team has one key goal: “By ordering products and services, managing inventory and more, we try to take away much
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TRULY MADE IN ITALY LINENS www.rivoltacarmignani.it export@rivoltacarmignani.it
“ We never want to save money at the cost of the guest experience. We’re always pushing for the best of both worlds” — Scott Amarante, Director of Procurement at Rosewood CordeValle
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of the day-to-day admin from the front of house managers’ plates. This allows them to deliver better training to staff and, most importantly, deliver a high-quality guest experience.” Having worked at the hotel for over a decade, Amarante is all too aware of the importance of procurement. When he first started out in a food and beverage role, the hotel didn’t have a formalized procurement department. “We began to see some challenges: we were having problems with inventory and food and beverage costs,” he recalls. “There was a real need to centralize procurement and create 08
a department. We went from nothing to a department of three and so whilst it’s been an organic development, we’re now a vital part of the company.” Whether ensuring inventory levels are accurate or overseeing spending, Amarante says that now the department has “really taken on a life of its own”. This is partly thanks to his colleague Luca Rutigliano, he adds. “He had the foresight to create this department and was really the pushing force behind it. He really helped everyone recognize the importance of procurement which was a new and unproven department at the time.” It didn’t take the procurement department long to prove its worth. In the past, Amarante points out how the golf shop’s inventory was
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘ROSEWOOD REGULARS — COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONARY’ 09 overinflated and unmanageable. “We completely took it over and managed what goes in and out,” he reflects. “We took an inventory that was worth around $500,000 and brought it down to $175,000 – now the business is operating beautifully.” By streamlining this function, it allowed Rosewood CordeValle to deliver a seamless guest experience. This same methodology was applied to the hotel’s food and beverage offering. “The food and beverage team were finding it difficult to meet their budgeted costs on a monthly basis so by taking over those inventories and tightening up the process we made sure everything’s accounted for and streamlined. We brought everything w w w.ro se wo o dho tels . com
“ People don’t realize that procurement touches every single department on the property” 10
— Scott Amarante, Director of Procurement at Rosewood CordeValle
down to a manageable, functional
It’s been a big help. When things get
level. We were able to really put our
tough, we can help them tighten the
footprint there while maintaining a
belt.” Yet, whilst cost-saving is a critical
great experience.”
task for any procurement professional,
Procurement may not always gain
Amarante says that striking a balance
the spotlight but its influence is undeni-
between value for money and quality is
able. “People don’t realize that procure-
a “tightrope walk” he does every day.
ment touches every single department
“It’s tough,” he says. “We never want to
on the property,” Amarante adds.
save money at the cost of the guest
“Whether it’s the spa or golf or food
experience. We’re also evolving and
and beverage, we touch everything.
looking at market trends to really put
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our best foot forward. We’re always
years. This reputation has proven to
pushing for the best of both worlds.”
be an invaluable asset.
Being part of the Rosewood Hotels
However, for Amarante, the most
& Resorts family undoubtedly lightens
important item in his toolkit are the
this load. With 24 hotels and resorts
strong relationships he has fostered
spanning 15 countries, the Rosewood
with his vendors and suppliers.
umbrella is one which is synonymous
“Creating close, mutually-beneficial
with world-class standards and a
relationships with our vendors is really
memorable guest experience, evi-
key to our success. How do we develop
denced by the variety of accolades
these relationships? Some of it comes
and awards it has collected over the
down to purchase agreements, some of w w w.ro se wo o dho tels . com
it comes down to exclusivity. For instance, we have a signature whiskey and tequila that’s made for us. We make them part of our family. We showcase them to our members and hotel guests.” Whether managing the hotel’s inventories or purchase orders (POs), technology also undoubtedly plays a role, although it can be a double-edged sword, warns Amarante. “One of the paradigms of being technology-based is that having that face-to-face relationship with your vendors becomes more difficult,” he says. 12
“This creates a challenge when you’re sending POs via email, for example. You’re not even having a conversation with the person when placing an order. It really forces us to go the extra mile to maintain these relationships but technology is still paramount for sure.”
“ Creating close, mutuallybeneficial relationships with our vendors is really key to our success” — Scott Amarante, Director of Procurement at Rosewood CordeValle
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Rosewood CordeValle has firmly put itself on the map as the ideal destination for any getaway and, whilst its procurement department may boast of a small team of three, it seems they’re making a lasting impression on the hotel and its guests. “Looking forward, we hope to continue to improve profitability and enhance the quality of the guest experience every day,” adds Amarante. “It might sound simple or cliché but that’s what it’s all about — it drives us every single day.”
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One CordeValle Club Dr., San Martin, California 95046 T +1 408 695 4500 www.rosewoodhotels.com