DIRECTOR - PURCHASING

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Procurement & Administration, the incumbent oversees all purchasing activities for general goods and services across Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International. A key focus of this role is the management and development of tribal vendor relationships, ensuring the inclusion of Seminole Tribe member-owned businesses in procurement opportunities. The incumbent directs procurement operations through staff supervision, promotes fair and transparent vendor engagement, and supports tribal economic development through strategic sourcing and dispute resolution practices.

• Policy Compliance & Governance
• Adheres to and enforces all company  Policies and Procedures.
• Develops, updates, and maintains comprehensive purchasing policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with tribal governance and regulatory standards.
• Coordinates procurement procedures across all entities / departments to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Gaming regulations: Ensure all procurement activities comply with regulations established by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), Tribal Gaming Commission, and other relevant state or federal bodies.
• Vendor licensing: Manage the process for ensuring all vendors, suppliers, and contractors comply with Tribal and gaming regulatory licensing requirements.
• Demonstrate a commitment to conducting business with the highest level of integrity, consistently acting in an honest and trustworthy manner. Maintains strict confidentiality at all times, ensuring sensitive information is protected without exception.
• Strategic Procurement & Market Analysis
• Analyzes market trends, vendor conditions, and product availability to ensure optimal quality, pricing, and reliability of goods and services.
• Reviews bids / quotations making informed recommendations based on strategic value and tribal preference.
• Prepares detailed reports on procurement activities, vendor performance, and cost analysis for executive leadership.
• Candidate must possess strong negotiation skills
• Candidate must possess excellent communication skills
• Candidate must possess the ability to create, distribute, analyze / review and determine best source for formal Request for Proposals / Request for Qualifications when necessary.
• Tribal Vendor Relations & Economic Development
• Cultivates and manages relationships with tribal vendors, ensuring fair and transparent engagement practices.
• Develops and implements initiatives to support tribal member-owned businesses, including mentorship, capacity-building programs, and procurement opportunities.
• Facilitates outreach efforts to identify and onboard new tribal vendors, promoting inclusive economic growth within the community.
• Tribal procurement policies: Ensure all purchasing programs are maintained in strict accordance with the specific laws, policies, and procedures.
• Dispute Resolution & Vendor Management
• Serves as a key mediator in resolving disputes between the organization and tribal vendors, ensuring outcomes are equitable, respectful, and aligned with tribal values.
• Establishes clear protocols for conflict resolution and vendor grievance handling, maintaining professionalism and trust.
• Leadership & Team Development
• Interviews, hires, trains, and mentors purchasing staff; assigns and reviews work; conducts performance evaluations; and manages disciplinary actions.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department. Lead, mentor, and develop the purchasing teams to foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Procurement strategy: Develop and execute purchasing strategies that maximize cost-effectiveness and align with the companies’ operational and financial goals.
• Supplier management: Manage and enhance relationships with key suppliers and vendors to secure the best terms and conditions for price, quality, product and / or  service.
• Process improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes and policies to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and leverage technology.
• Cross-departmental collaboration: Work closely with other departments, such as F&B, operations, and finance, to understand their needs and ensure timely fulfillment of orders.
• Budgeting & Special Projects
• Assists in the preparation and management of the departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Budget oversight: Oversee the procurement budget, monitor spending, and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality.
• Leads and supports special projects requiring procurement expertise, including cross-functional initiatives and tribal enterprise development.
• Public Relations & Workplace Safety
• Promotes positive public and employee relations, representing the department with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and hazard-free work environment in accordance with tribal health and safety standards, OSHA, and other requirements as defined by jurisdiction.
• Other Duties
• Prepares instructional and procedural manuals to support the implementation of new systems and policies.
• Performs other related duties assigned to support the mission and operations of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Purchasing Manager
• Buyer
• Purchasing Coordinator

• Bachelor's degree as well as seven (7) or more years of purchasing management experience in a gaming/hospitality environment or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.
• Must possess excellent time management skills.
• Must possess ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from vendors, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
• Must possess ability to direct and manage subordinate team members.
• Gaming license: Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Tribal Gaming License or Non-Tribal Gaming License if requested / required as a condition of employment.
• Technical skills: Must be proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems used for purchasing and inventory management.  Must have the ability to support new systems or technology implementations. 
• Must pass background checks and drug screenings if applicable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift, push and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Environment is that of an office that is generally quiet.