Strategic Procurement Lead | Vendor & Budget Focus

Commerce Casino; Commerce (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Commerce Casino is seeking an Assistant Purchasing Manager to support the Purchasing Manager in directing procurement operations, supervising staff, and managing vendor relationships. The role requires independent judgment to coordinate purchasing activities and implement strategies that align with objectives.

You will work with Gaming Operations, Facilities, Finance, and other departments to ensure timely acquisitions, optimize costs, and maintain internal controls.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible procurement, sourcing, or purchasing experience, preferably in a casino, hospitality, gaming, or high-volume operational environment.
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of purchasing principles, vendor management, strategic sourcing, contract administration, and procurement best practices. Strong understanding of inventory management, budgeting, cost-control practices, and supply chain operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing, and directing day-to-day purchasing operations to support departmental and organizational requirements.
• Supervise, provide guidance, train, coach, and support Buyers and Purchasing Coordinators to ensure efficient workflow, employee development, and compliance with established procedures.
• Review purchasing activities, requisitions, sourcing decisions, and procurement transactions to ensure alignment with company objectives, budget requirements, and procurement standards.
• Develop and execute sourcing and procurement strategies for assigned categories and contracted services in support of organizational objectives.
• Evaluate vendor performance, negotiate pricing and contract terms, and maintain strategic vendor relationships that support operational continuity, service excellence, and cost efficiency.
• Resolve vendor performance issues, service failures, delivery concerns, and contractual disputes through analysis and collaboration with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Analyze spending patterns, vendor pricing, market conditions, and procurement data to support departmental budgeting, forecasting, cost-control initiatives, and financial objectives.
• Assist in the preparation, monitoring, and administration of operating and capital budgets. Review purchasing expenditures against budget projections, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions to support departmental and organizational financial performance objectives.
• Review and approve purchasing transactions within delegated authority and approve vendor changes, sourcing adjustments, and product substitutions in accordance with company guidelines.
• Collaborate with Gaming Operations, Facilities, Information Technology, Security, Finance, Hotel Operations, and other departments to ensure procurement activities effectively support organizational needs.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining procurement policies, procedures, best practices, and internal controls while ensuring compliance with company requirements, audit standards, and applicable regulations.
• Participate in inventory management initiatives and assist departments in maintaining appropriate inventory levels that support operational requirements and financial objectives.
• Prepare reports and presentations regarding purchasing performance, vendor metrics, cost-savings initiatives, budget performance, and operational objectives.
• Identify process improvement opportunities, establish best practices, and implement initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, service levels, and overall procurement performance.
• Support departmental strategic planning initiatives by assisting in the development and implementation of procurement objectives, performance metrics, vendor management strategies, and long-range sourcing plans that align with organizational goals.
• Serve as Acting Purchasing Manager during absences and assume responsibility for departmental operations, personnel oversight, and operational decision-making.
• Perform additional duties consistent with the strategic scope of the role.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

ERP systems

Ten-key

Job description

Commerce Casino is seeking an Assistant Purchasing Manager to support the Purchasing Manager in directing procurement operations, supervising staff, and managing vendor relationships. The role requires independent judgment to coordinate purchasing activities and implement strategies that align with objectives.

You will work with Gaming Operations, Facilities, Finance, and other departments to ensure timely acquisitions, optimize costs, and maintain internal controls.