Meet Senior Purchasing Manager Jerry Storer. This month we’re discussing what to consider when opening a hotel with Jerry Storer, Senior Purchasing Manager for the InterContinental Bellevue at The Avenue in Bellevue, WA. Jerry’s been in hospitality for three decades and shared so many great insights!
BT: Tell us a little bit about your hospitality career and how you became a Senior Purchasing Manager?
JS: I have over 30 years in Hospitality, including Restaurant Management, both free standing and hotels, housekeeping, front desk, banquets and night audit. I was a corporate sales coordinator at a property and the sales director brought me to Best Western Supply when she took over the sales team there. I spent seven years being a consultant for Best Western Supply for hotels across the country bringing operating supplies to their hotels. That lead to me getting hired in 2014 with Fairmont hotels in Seattle and I have been doing this ever since.
BT: What do you love about this property and what makes it unique? What do you enjoy most about working there?
JS: This is a new construction of a 5-star hotel in a BOOMING tech area. It is my first construction project, and I am excited about putting in all the systems, basically setting this up for success with all my experience. I will retire with this as my signature project.
BT: What are the important factors to consider when opening a hotel?
JS: Great question. Understanding that the timeline changes, that issues beyond my control happen DAILY. Being flexible and planning for it. And be ready to rock and roll at a moment’s notice.
BT: From planning to opening day, what does the process of opening a hotel look like?
JS: Well, we are not quite there yet, so lots is left to be written, but having the right team to make the right decision about products being used and why is the most important thing of what we have done so far. We made many mistakes in this area, and the story about how we got through that is still being written. But we will because we have brought in a dynamic and talented team. Once we are open, I am very excited about the future.
BT: What are the most important things guests consider when choosing a hotel?
JS: Loyalty programs seem to be driving our initial reservations in the future. That and our location and proximity to what people are looking for.
BT: How did Boca Terry help you decide which products to stock at your property?
JS: Sending samples, being accessible for questions and responding quickly and the quality products. Procurement groups like Entegra and Avendra give access to many suppliers, so I don’t have to continually search for them.
BT: Which Boca Terry products are your personal favorites and why?
JS: We purchased their robes, and everyone here loves them.
BT: Would you recommend Boca Terry products to other hotels?
JS: Yes, absolutely!
BT: How is your property making the guest experience memorable? Tell us of a specific innovative example.
JS: When we have guests, I am certain to be able to be more specific. We have a highly talented, caring and experienced team. I can’t wait to see them in action. We also have a decorated Concierge no other hotel in the area has. She is one of a handful of Concierges with the Les Clefs D’Or designation.