Contracts and Purchasing Specialist
Southwest Adventure Tours, Cedar City, UT, United States
(Cedar City or Salt Lake City areas are preferred. This position is a hybrid work location.)
The Mission: Guard the Margin. Fuel the Adventure.
Location: Hybrid (Salt Lake City or Cedar City, UT)
The Role: Contract & Purchasing Specialist
At
Southwest Adventure Tours , we create bucket-list experiences across the American West. But behind every breathtaking sunset and rugged trail is a complex web of high-stakes logistics. We don’t just need someone to book hotel rooms; we need a
Commercial Negotiator
who views a contract as a strategic battlefield.
If you are a procurement powerhouse who thrives on "getting the win" at the negotiating table, identifying hidden risks, and engineering cost-savings that directly impact the bottom line—keep reading.
Why This Isn't Your Average "Tourism" Job Most people in this industry focus on the "hospitality" side of vendor relations.
That isn’t this role.
We aren't looking for a coordinator to maintain the status quo; we are looking for a specialist to optimize it.
You are a Protector:
You safeguard our profitability by securing aggressive pricing and airtight indemnity.
You are a Strategist:
You don't just "buy"; you source, vet, and consolidate to create long-term purchasing power.
You are a Finisher:
You manage the entire lifecycle, from the first RFP to the final execution, ensuring every decimal point favors the mission.
Responsibilities Key Responsibilities
Your Primary Directives 1. High-Stakes Negotiation
Draft, review, and weaponize contracts for hotels, transport, and elite tour services.
Secure "Gold Standard" terms: favorable cancellation windows, attrition protections, and rock-solid Force Majeure clauses.
Aggressively pursue Cost of Sale targets without sacrificing the premium guest experience.
2. Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
Execute competitive bidding and RFPs that force the market to show its best hand.
Identify and onboard "hidden gem" suppliers that offer better margins and higher reliability.
Audit regional buying strategies to find efficiencies in our Group Series and FIT programs.
3. Risk & Compliance Management
Treat Certificates of Insurance and licensing like the vital shields they are.
Monitor vendor performance scorecards—if a supplier isn't performing, you’re the one who fixes the partnership or finds their replacement.
4. Financial & Systems Oversight
Partner with Finance to ensure our "Contract vs. Reality" data is 100% accurate.
Develop cost-assurance procedures that prevent "margin creep."
Who You Are
A Negotiator First:
You likely come from a background in
procurement, strategic sourcing, or commercial law.
*
Analytical & Sharp:
You see a contract as a puzzle to be solved, not a form to be signed.
Proactive & Decisive:
You don't wait for permission to fix a broken process. You identify the leak, propose the plug, and implement the solution.
A "Margin Guard":
You understand that $1 saved in procurement is $1 of pure profit.
The Reality Check:
We are specifically looking for a commercial negotiator, not a hospitality coordinator. If your primary skill is "being nice to vendors," this isn't the seat for you. If your primary skill is
protecting margin and optimizing spend , we want to talk.
The Perks
Hybrid Flexibility:
Work where you’re most productive in the SLC or Cedar City areas.
The Industry:
You’re securing the backbone of world-class adventures.
The Impact:
Your fingerprints will be on every successful tour we run.
Qualifications 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Mission: Guard the Margin. Fuel the Adventure.
Location: Hybrid (Salt Lake City or Cedar City, UT)
The Role: Contract & Purchasing Specialist
At
Southwest Adventure Tours , we create bucket-list experiences across the American West. But behind every breathtaking sunset and rugged trail is a complex web of high-stakes logistics. We don’t just need someone to book hotel rooms; we need a
Commercial Negotiator
who views a contract as a strategic battlefield.
If you are a procurement powerhouse who thrives on "getting the win" at the negotiating table, identifying hidden risks, and engineering cost-savings that directly impact the bottom line—keep reading.
Why This Isn't Your Average "Tourism" Job Most people in this industry focus on the "hospitality" side of vendor relations.
That isn’t this role.
We aren't looking for a coordinator to maintain the status quo; we are looking for a specialist to optimize it.
You are a Protector:
You safeguard our profitability by securing aggressive pricing and airtight indemnity.
You are a Strategist:
You don't just "buy"; you source, vet, and consolidate to create long-term purchasing power.
You are a Finisher:
You manage the entire lifecycle, from the first RFP to the final execution, ensuring every decimal point favors the mission.
Responsibilities Key Responsibilities
Your Primary Directives 1. High-Stakes Negotiation
Draft, review, and weaponize contracts for hotels, transport, and elite tour services.
Secure "Gold Standard" terms: favorable cancellation windows, attrition protections, and rock-solid Force Majeure clauses.
Aggressively pursue Cost of Sale targets without sacrificing the premium guest experience.
2. Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
Execute competitive bidding and RFPs that force the market to show its best hand.
Identify and onboard "hidden gem" suppliers that offer better margins and higher reliability.
Audit regional buying strategies to find efficiencies in our Group Series and FIT programs.
3. Risk & Compliance Management
Treat Certificates of Insurance and licensing like the vital shields they are.
Monitor vendor performance scorecards—if a supplier isn't performing, you’re the one who fixes the partnership or finds their replacement.
4. Financial & Systems Oversight
Partner with Finance to ensure our "Contract vs. Reality" data is 100% accurate.
Develop cost-assurance procedures that prevent "margin creep."
Who You Are
A Negotiator First:
You likely come from a background in
procurement, strategic sourcing, or commercial law.
*
Analytical & Sharp:
You see a contract as a puzzle to be solved, not a form to be signed.
Proactive & Decisive:
You don't wait for permission to fix a broken process. You identify the leak, propose the plug, and implement the solution.
A "Margin Guard":
You understand that $1 saved in procurement is $1 of pure profit.
The Reality Check:
We are specifically looking for a commercial negotiator, not a hospitality coordinator. If your primary skill is "being nice to vendors," this isn't the seat for you. If your primary skill is
protecting margin and optimizing spend , we want to talk.
The Perks
Hybrid Flexibility:
Work where you’re most productive in the SLC or Cedar City areas.
The Industry:
You’re securing the backbone of world-class adventures.
The Impact:
Your fingerprints will be on every successful tour we run.
Qualifications 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr