Driving Excellence in Luxury Hospitality Purchasing

Erin Blazek, based in Ventura, CA, is Director of Purchasing at Ojai Valley Inn, bringing extensive hospitality experience, including previous roles at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa and the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from National University and excels in convention services, catering, hospitality management, F&B, and customer service.

In an exclusive interview with Hospitality Business Review, Erin Blazek shares her journey in luxury hospitality purchasing, highlighting how cost control, vendor partnerships, and data-driven strategies drive excellence at Ojai Valley Inn.

Balancing Cost Control and Luxury Purchasing

The goal of any purchasing team member should be to buy quality products at the best possible cost. With that said, cost control and buying luxury products spoken together seem like an oxymoron in the hospitality industry. Though it can be challenging at times to control cost while buying luxury products, there are many ways to find products that meet and/or exceed hotel standards and mandates at reasonable prices.

As a buyer and director of a department, it's important to recognize and instill the idea that cost control is not always about seeking out the best unit price. Cost control includes mitigating cost variables such as freight costs, fuel charges, taxes and tariffs, and other frivolous fees. Many times, suppliers will offer discount codes, coupons, incentives, volume-based purchase discounts, and free shipping. These offers bring down the overall cost of the product, making the purchase more attractive.

The bottom line is that cost control means overall value. There are times when the quality of a product is more important than the cost, especially in luxury properties. However, savings can often be created. Decreasing the cost is essential, and there is usually a way to save money without compromising the quality of a luxury product. The balance of cost control and sourcing quality products is really about recognizing the overall cost and working with suppliers to find ways to bring it down.

Treating Vendors as Guests

The core concept of the hospitality industry is about “hosting guests.” In purchasing, our guests are the people and departments we work with internally to run a full-service luxury resort and our vendors. Focusing on the core concept of hospitality, one of the most effective ways to build strong relationships with vendors is simple: treat everyone like a guest.

When vendors are treated as guests, an organic business partnership begins to emerge, and the domino effect happens. Communication becomes clearer. Mutual respect is cultivated. People feel valued and heard. Overall service improves, and encounters which once seemed transactional develop into meaningful connections. By treating vendors as guests, we not only foster the hospitality industry’s core concept of “hosting guests,” we are also creating a culture that is rewarding in so many ways.

Sustainability and Data-Driven Purchasing

Sustainability is an initiative at the Ojai Valley Inn and very important to our owners and executive team. As a result, the Purchasing Department has embraced the initiative. Our recent sustainability newsletter sent to associates states: “we continue to demonstrate what it means to blend luxury with environmental stewardship.”

I work very closely with our Director of Wellness and Sustainability and our Sustainability Manager, who together spearhead our sustainability program at the resort. We are acutely aware of legislation pertaining to the hospitality industry and have adopted many environmental practices to improve our carbon footprint. We have made significant changes in purchasing by supporting our leaders, supporting legislation, and supporting our guests. The Purchasing Team at the Ojai Valley Inn is an active partner on property in energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction and management, sustainable sourcing, and community outreach and donations. Our guests are our main priority, and we work together to ensure we do not make decisions that negatively impact their experience.

The Ojai Valley Inn team as a whole is a data-driven group of professionals. The Purchasing team understands and utilizes forecasting data to properly prepare for the days, weeks, and months ahead. Resources include a 14-day forecast showing occupancy, type of guest, including little guests, furry guests, group information, and even the weather. Team members attend BEO and Resume meetings, which are essential for up-to-date information, changes, and cancellations of in-house groups. We have a flexible PAR system in our storeroom with minimum and maximum PAR levels, which can change depending on levels of business. Weekly, the Purchasing team reviews the forecast and information from BEO and Resume meetings. Data-driven purchasing and flexible PAR levels stabilize inventory valuation and minimize waste.

Leadership, Lifelong Learning, and Risk Management

Purchasing leaders need to be lifelong learners. To be effective in a volatile market, it is important to be knowledgeable and up to date with technology, compliance, trends, legislation, sustainability, and best practices. There are many webinars available, and I recommend attending at least one a month. It is also important to stay in touch with hospitality leaders in your network. If you don’t have a network, build one. We learn great things from other people.

Having a network of people you trust and respect is especially important when challenges arise, such as chain supply disruptions and market volatility. Collaboration is a key skill. Risk management is a current hot button. A key skill is to identify possible risks and then problem-solve. Have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. Create a strong, diversified, and loyal vendor base. It is critical to manage vendor relationships during tough times. Remember to treat vendors like guests—it’s a win-win! Lastly, use data-driven information when tough decisions must be made. The numbers don’t lie.