Contracts & Purchasing Specialist
Southwest Adventure Tours, Cedar City, UT, United States
Cedar City, United States | Posted on 03/16/2026
(Cedar City or Salt Lake City areas are preferred. This position is a hybrid work location.)
Position Summary The Contract & Purchasing Specialist is responsible for managing the full supplier contracting lifecycle for Southwest Adventure Tours. This includes sourcing vendors, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with company standards and legal requirements.
This role plays a critical part in protecting company profitability by securing competitive pricing, minimizing risk exposure, and maintaining reliable supplier partnerships.
The ideal candidate is
analytical, proactive, and solutions-oriented
, capable of identifying opportunities for cost savings, operational improvements, and stronger vendor partnerships. This individual must demonstrate initiative by not only fulfilling assigned responsibilities but also identifying problems, proposing solutions, and implementing improvements when appropriate.
Key Responsibilities Contract Negotiation & Administration Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for hotels, activities, transportation, meals, and other tour services
Secure favorable pricing, payment terms, and service commitments aligned with the company's Cost of Sale targets
Ensure contract language includes necessary liability protections, including indemnity, force majeure, attrition, and favorable cancellation and reduction terms
Collaborate with legal advisors to maintain standardized contract templates when necessary
Manage the full contract lifecycle from negotiation through execution and renewal
Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Develop regional buying strategies to support Group Series, FIT, and Large Group programs
Identify and source new suppliers through market research and competitive bidding processes
Conduct RFPs when necessary to improve pricing, service quality, or operational capacity
Evaluate supplier proposals based on pricing, reliability, and operational compatibility
Identify opportunities for long-term purchasing efficiencies and supplier consolidation
Build and maintain strong professional relationships with supplier partners
Act as the primary company contact for major vendors and regional suppliers
Conduct supplier performance evaluations and service reviews
Maintain vendor performance scorecards using feedback from guides, operations teams, and client reports
Address supplier issues and service failures quickly and effectively
Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all vendor contracts comply with company policies and applicable regulations
Collect and maintain Certificates of Insurance and licensing documentation
Identify contractual risks and ensure appropriate protections are included
Monitor vendor compliance with agreed service standards and contract terms
Maintain documentation that supports risk mitigation and liability protection
Systems Management & Documentation Maintain accurate contract and vendor records within the contract management system and internal databases
Ensure all contract data is captured accurately in operational and financial systems
Maintain organized digital contract files and documentation
Conduct periodic audits to ensure system accuracy and compliance
Develop and maintain cost assurance procedures
Analyze supplier pricing and identify opportunities for cost reductions
Provide cost estimates and forecasting support for tour development
Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely vendor payments and reconciliation
Support pre-tour financial reviews by confirming contracted rates and payment terms
Work closely with Operations, Sales, and Finance to ensure vendor agreements align with program needs
Ensure supplier contracts support tour design, operational feasibility, and pricing deadlines
Provide accurate contract information for budgeting, forecasting, and program planning
Assist Operations team members as needed to support overall program success
We are not looking to hire a hospitality coordinator for this job. We are specifically looking for a commercial negotiator . These are very different people. Hospitality coordinators maintain relationships. Commercial negotiators protect margin. The best candidates will have procurement, sourcing, or contract negotiation backgrounds , not just tourism operations. Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Hospitality, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3–5 years of experience in contract negotiation, procurement, or supplier management preferred
Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to secure favorable pricing and terms
Strong analytical ability for evaluating bids, contract structures, and cost variances
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Experience with contract management systems or procurement tools
Familiarity with CRM and project management systems
Experience using digital contracting tools such as Zoho Sign, DocuSign, or PandaDoc
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor meetings or site evaluations
Key Result Areas (KRAs) & Performance Metrics KRA 1: Contract Lifecycle Management & Compliance Objective:
Ensure all supplier contracts are properly negotiated, executed, documented, and compliant with company policies. KPIs
100% of vendor contracts executed prior to tour program deadlines
Contract records are maintained with
98%+ documentation accuracy
Supplier insurance and licensing documentation kept
current and verified
Legal risk exposure minimized through proper contract protections
Objective:
Improve supplier pricing and contract terms to support company profitability. KPIs
Achieve or exceed
Cost of Sale targets for assigned regions
Deliver measurable cost savings through negotiation or supplier sourcing annually
Maintain competitive supplier pricing benchmarks within industry standards
Conduct
annual rate reviews with key vendors
Objective:
Maintain strong vendor partnerships that ensure reliable service and operational excellence. KPIs
Maintain vendor performance ratings meeting company service standards
Resolve supplier service issues within
5 business days
Conduct
annual supplier performance reviews
Objective:
Continuously strengthen the supplier network and purchasing strategy. KPIs
Identify and onboard new suppliers annually where beneficial
Conduct RFPs when pricing or service performance requires improvement
Maintain competitive supplier coverage across all operating regions KRA 5: Systems & Contract Data Management
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Position Summary The Contract & Purchasing Specialist is responsible for managing the full supplier contracting lifecycle for Southwest Adventure Tours. This includes sourcing vendors, negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with company standards and legal requirements.
This role plays a critical part in protecting company profitability by securing competitive pricing, minimizing risk exposure, and maintaining reliable supplier partnerships.
The ideal candidate is
analytical, proactive, and solutions-oriented
, capable of identifying opportunities for cost savings, operational improvements, and stronger vendor partnerships. This individual must demonstrate initiative by not only fulfilling assigned responsibilities but also identifying problems, proposing solutions, and implementing improvements when appropriate.
Key Responsibilities Contract Negotiation & Administration Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for hotels, activities, transportation, meals, and other tour services
Secure favorable pricing, payment terms, and service commitments aligned with the company's Cost of Sale targets
Ensure contract language includes necessary liability protections, including indemnity, force majeure, attrition, and favorable cancellation and reduction terms
Collaborate with legal advisors to maintain standardized contract templates when necessary
Manage the full contract lifecycle from negotiation through execution and renewal
Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Develop regional buying strategies to support Group Series, FIT, and Large Group programs
Identify and source new suppliers through market research and competitive bidding processes
Conduct RFPs when necessary to improve pricing, service quality, or operational capacity
Evaluate supplier proposals based on pricing, reliability, and operational compatibility
Identify opportunities for long-term purchasing efficiencies and supplier consolidation
Build and maintain strong professional relationships with supplier partners
Act as the primary company contact for major vendors and regional suppliers
Conduct supplier performance evaluations and service reviews
Maintain vendor performance scorecards using feedback from guides, operations teams, and client reports
Address supplier issues and service failures quickly and effectively
Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all vendor contracts comply with company policies and applicable regulations
Collect and maintain Certificates of Insurance and licensing documentation
Identify contractual risks and ensure appropriate protections are included
Monitor vendor compliance with agreed service standards and contract terms
Maintain documentation that supports risk mitigation and liability protection
Systems Management & Documentation Maintain accurate contract and vendor records within the contract management system and internal databases
Ensure all contract data is captured accurately in operational and financial systems
Maintain organized digital contract files and documentation
Conduct periodic audits to ensure system accuracy and compliance
Develop and maintain cost assurance procedures
Analyze supplier pricing and identify opportunities for cost reductions
Provide cost estimates and forecasting support for tour development
Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely vendor payments and reconciliation
Support pre-tour financial reviews by confirming contracted rates and payment terms
Work closely with Operations, Sales, and Finance to ensure vendor agreements align with program needs
Ensure supplier contracts support tour design, operational feasibility, and pricing deadlines
Provide accurate contract information for budgeting, forecasting, and program planning
Assist Operations team members as needed to support overall program success
We are not looking to hire a hospitality coordinator for this job. We are specifically looking for a commercial negotiator . These are very different people. Hospitality coordinators maintain relationships. Commercial negotiators protect margin. The best candidates will have procurement, sourcing, or contract negotiation backgrounds , not just tourism operations. Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Hospitality, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3–5 years of experience in contract negotiation, procurement, or supplier management preferred
Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to secure favorable pricing and terms
Strong analytical ability for evaluating bids, contract structures, and cost variances
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
Experience with contract management systems or procurement tools
Familiarity with CRM and project management systems
Experience using digital contracting tools such as Zoho Sign, DocuSign, or PandaDoc
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor meetings or site evaluations
Key Result Areas (KRAs) & Performance Metrics KRA 1: Contract Lifecycle Management & Compliance Objective:
Ensure all supplier contracts are properly negotiated, executed, documented, and compliant with company policies. KPIs
100% of vendor contracts executed prior to tour program deadlines
Contract records are maintained with
98%+ documentation accuracy
Supplier insurance and licensing documentation kept
current and verified
Legal risk exposure minimized through proper contract protections
Objective:
Improve supplier pricing and contract terms to support company profitability. KPIs
Achieve or exceed
Cost of Sale targets for assigned regions
Deliver measurable cost savings through negotiation or supplier sourcing annually
Maintain competitive supplier pricing benchmarks within industry standards
Conduct
annual rate reviews with key vendors
Objective:
Maintain strong vendor partnerships that ensure reliable service and operational excellence. KPIs
Maintain vendor performance ratings meeting company service standards
Resolve supplier service issues within
5 business days
Conduct
annual supplier performance reviews
Objective:
Continuously strengthen the supplier network and purchasing strategy. KPIs
Identify and onboard new suppliers annually where beneficial
Conduct RFPs when pricing or service performance requires improvement
Maintain competitive supplier coverage across all operating regions KRA 5: Systems & Contract Data Management
#J-18808-Ljbffr