Junior Interior Designer & Group Purchasing Coordinator

DHR VALUES

Dream Hotels & Resorts lives by its 8 core values. Our team is dedicated to being reliable and accountable, fostering empathy, prioritising sustainability, and acting with humanity, trust, dynamism, excellence and joy. These values guide our day-to-day decisions and operational requirements.

Job Overview:

To support Dream Hotels & Resorts in the development and implementation of interior design projects, while assisting with centralised purchasing, supplier negotiations, procurement agreements and purchasing controls across the Group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges.

The position combines creative design capabilities with commercial procurement responsibilities to achieve consistent design standards, competitive supplier pricing, favourable contractual terms, operational efficiencies and value for money.

The successful candidate will be involved in supplier sourcing, price negotiations, contract administration, purchasing analysis, procurement compliance and implementation of Group purchasing agreements.

Position level: Junior / Graduate / Internship

Key Responsibilities:

A. Interior Design & Refurbishment Support

• Develop interior design concepts, mood boards, colour schemes and furniture layouts.
• Assist with design projects across guest rooms, restaurants, public areas, conference facilities, spas and lodges.
• Prepare drawings, presentations, material selections and basic 3D visualisations.
• Source and specify furniture, fittings, equipment, fabrics and finishes.
• Coordinate refurbishment projects with suppliers, contractors and Property Custodians.
• Ensure designs meet Group brand standards, budget requirements, durability expectations and operational needs.
• Assist with furniture refurbishment programmes and asset replacement planning.

B. Group-Wide Purchasing & Procurement

• Support centralised purchasing across all properties and operational departments.
• Source suppliers for furniture, fittings, equipment, food and beverage products, housekeeping supplies, linen, guest amenities, maintenance materials, uniforms, operational consumables and services.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing volumes across properties for improved pricing and commercial terms.
• Conduct supplier market research and obtain competitive quotations.
• Prepare detailed supplier comparisons covering pricing, quality, service levels, delivery charges, payment terms and contractual conditions.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining preferred supplier agreements and approved supplier lists.
• Monitor purchasing trends and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Coordinate requirements between Group Operations, Property Custodians, Finance and suppliers.
• Assist with purchasing budgets, cost comparisons and procurement reporting.
• Support consistent purchasing standards and specifications throughout the Group.

C. Supplier Negotiations & Contract Management

• Assist with negotiating Group-wide pricing, volume discounts, rebates, delivery arrangements and payment terms.
• Support negotiation of supplier contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Obtain and compare contractual proposals from potential suppliers.
• Assist with annual supply agreements and fixed-price arrangements where commercially beneficial.
• Coordinate contract renewals and renegotiations before expiry.
• Maintain a central supplier contract register with commencement dates, expiry dates, renewal terms and responsible persons.
• Review commercial terms including pricing, annual escalations, cancellation provisions, minimum order quantities, delivery obligations and service commitments.
• Identify contractual risks and escalate unfavourable conditions to Group leadership.
• Liaise with Finance and authorised management on payment terms, credit facilities and supplier accounts.
• Assist with supplier disputes involving pricing, service delivery, product quality and contractual commitments.
• Monitor compliance with negotiated Group agreements.
• Ensure authorised management reviews and approves contracts before signature.
• Maintain accurate records of negotiations, amendments and agreed commercial terms.

D. Group Supplier Relationship Management

• Maintain professional relationships with existing and prospective Group suppliers.
• Assist with supplier performance evaluations against agreed standards.
• Monitor reliability, quality, pricing competitiveness and delivery performance.
• Coordinate supplier meetings, product demonstrations and presentations.
• Identify alternative suppliers when existing arrangements are no longer competitive.
• Support supplier performance scorecards.
• Assist with supplier complaints and corrective actions.
• Communicate and implement Group-negotiated benefits across relevant properties.

E. Procurement Governance & Financial Controls

• Support Group purchasing policies, approval processes and delegated authority limits.
• Assist properties to purchase from approved suppliers where Group agreements exist.
• Monitor variances between negotiated rates and supplier invoices.
• Identify unauthorised purchasing practices and escalate exceptions.
• Assist with checking purchase orders, quotations, invoices and supporting documentation.
• Maintain transparent quotation, negotiation and supplier selection records.
• Identify potential conflicts of interest and uphold ethical procurement practices.
• Assist with updating Group procurement procedures.
• Support purchasing audits and reporting requirements.
• Base purchasing recommendations on quality, price, operational suitability and long-term value.

F. Purchasing Analysis & Cost Savings

• Analyse expenditure across properties to identify consolidation opportunities.
• Compare supplier prices and track changes over time.
• Prepare reports on potential and realised cost savings.
• Assist with annual supplier reviews and contract benchmarking.
• Monitor discounts, rebates and supplier incentives.
• Identify opportunities to standardise products across the Group.
• Recommend alternative products or suppliers without compromising quality.
• Track procurement expenditure against approved budgets.

G. Project Coordination, Administration & Reporting

• Maintain design and procurement project trackers.
• Follow up outstanding quotations, orders, deliveries and contract renewals.
• Prepare regular progress reports for Group Operations.
• Maintain digital records of designs, specifications, quotations, agreements and correspondence.
• Coordinate implementation timelines with Property Custodians and contractors.
• Assist with site inspections, project completion reviews and snag lists.
• Provide accurate, timely project and purchasing updates to stakeholders.

AUTHORITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

The position coordinates and supports Group purchasing and interior design under Group Operations. The incumbent may conduct preliminary supplier negotiations, request proposals, prepare comparisons and recommend purchasing arrangements.

The incumbent has no independent authority to sign contracts, appoint suppliers, approve expenditure or commit Dream Hotels & Resorts to contractual obligations unless formally authorised in writing.

All procurement activities must comply with Group financial controls, procurement policies and delegated authority procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS — MANDATORY

• Completed certificate, diploma or degree in Interior Design, Interior Decorating, Interior Architecture or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• Candidates completing a relevant qualification may be considered for an internship if foundational practical training is complete.
• Basic proficiency in interior design software.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills.
• Good numerical ability and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.

ADVANTAGEOUS QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Training in Purchasing, Procurement, Supply Chain Management or Business Administration.
• Exposure to supplier sourcing, quotations, purchasing or contract administration.
• Basic understanding of commercial contracts and SLAs.
• Experience in hospitality, interior design, retail procurement or furniture manufacturing.
• Exposure to supplier negotiations and purchasing systems.
• Valid driver’s licence.