Dorothy Higgins Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

United States

New Jersey, United States

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

New Jersey, United States

I am currently seeking a new opportunity that will allow me to merge my extensive technical experience with my passion for building high-performing teams and delivering excellent results at every turn. In exchange for the opportunity to be part of your team, I offer experience, drive, and 100% dedication to achieving organizational goals. Key Skills: Purchasing/Procurement | Contract Negotiations | RFP Management | Regulatory Compliance | Budgeting | Inventory Planning | Ordering | Technology Integration | Barcoding Systems | Vendor Relationship Management | Team Development | FF&E | OS&E | Process Improvements

Atlantic City, New Jersey

I joined Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino prior to its Grand Opening, and immediately took on critical tasks needed to ensure a successful launch. Serving as both the Purchasing Manager and Wardrobe Manager, I directed various purchasing and procurement activities while building relationships with key vendors. My primary concern was securing needed resources at the lowest possible cost that contributed to a successful property launch. My key responsibilities included:► Researched and approved all purchase orders up to $25K after engaging in extensive vendor research and contract negotiations to secure best pricing structures for IT, Wardrobe, I-Gaming, Retail Shop and other commodities.► Ordered uniforms and wardrobe essentials for 3,500 employees, and also managed the laundry team responsible for uniform maintenance, repair, and disposal. ► Ensured compliance with New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement policies and procedures. ===========================================Select Highlights► Successfully completed three-month training program for 300+ team members on new purchasing/inventory system, delivering individual and departmental training supplemented with abridged user manuals and PowerPoint presentations resulting in successful inventory on fourth month.►Met aggressive opening date deadlines, successfully guiding small, limited-experience team through all launch protocols with daily meetings and updates, while empowering team members with purchase decisions and initiating departmental/management roundtables.

Monticello, New York, United States

In this role, I held full purchasing responsibility for Empire Resorts, Monticello Casino and Raceway (MRMI), and Montrein Resort Casino (dba Resorts World Catskills). I oversaw the daily activities of a three-member purchasing staff and nine-member warehouse staff while coordinating critical activities including:► Created, updated, and reconciled annual budgets and coordinated execution of all capital projects.► Facilitated buying, coordination, and contract tracking of FF&E and OS&E expenditures for 332-room hotel/casino.► Expanded staff to meet warehouse operation needs.► Installed Red Rock I/P system and trained all new hires.► Tracked, recorded, and reported MWBE purchases to NYSCG.===========================================Select Highlights► Secured 10% savings following issuance and contract negotiations from new food and beverage RFP allowing for expanded product options.► Replaced outdated purchasing system with online technologies requiring RPF evaluation, contract negotiation, installation, and training for 50+ users.► Created systemized process for OS&E and FF&E budget tracking for new casino and hotel orders, working collaboratively with senior managers to determine cost/item needs and constraints.► Created and managed RFP for Resorts World Catskills for all employees, part of selection team.

Atlantic City, Nj

My role at Harrah’s/Caesar Atlantic City involved securing high volume of food and beverage items for four major Atlantic City properties. My primary responsibilities included:► Developed policies and objectives for Purchasing Department, implemented corporate objective-aligned best practices and delivered regional contract compliance.► Secured cost savings on non-contracted items through extensive product research and price negotiation.► Resolved issues, conflicts, and roadblocks among departments, properties, and suppliers.===========================================Select Highlights► Shadowed and worked alongside Executive Chefs, Storeroom Managers, Buyers, Receiving Managers, and key vendors, gaining critical industry knowledge needed for effective ordering processes, support of LEAN process integration, and efficiency improvements.► Successfully rolled out national beverage program converting four casinos, requiring adjustment to purchasing requisitions and coordination with storerooms, department heads, and vendors.

Niagara Falls, Ny

Managing a staff of seven buyers and one vendor certification clerk, in this role I negotiated multi-property item/service contracts and issued final approval on all purchase orders. I also developed and implemented various reports, policies, and procedures, including contract routing procedures, revised purchasing policies, suspended vendor reports, and vendor license status report.===========================================Select Highlights► Completed FF&E for 604-room hotel/spa/casino in Niagara Falls and 225-room facility in Allegany.► Provided e-documents for SGA License packages.

Responsible for the purchasing for the following departments and commodities: Marketing, Junkets, Promotions, Executive Office/Gifts, Human Resources, Bus Programs, IT, Wardrobe, and all FF&E. Designated Property Key I/P User, responsible for training new employees how to use the I/P purchasing system. Covered all other purchasing areas as necessary, including several months with food and beverage. Approved all requisitions, purchase orders, and contracts when the Director is unavailable. Mentored three staff members. Temporary Wardrobe Manager - 5 months in addition to above.Graduated Resorts Upward Mobility Program.

Supervised staff of (2)Responsible for all phases of purchasing including budgeting, researching, ordering and follow-up. Placed advertisements, scheduled openings, and proofed all sealed bids for college purchases -ascertaining they fell within the State of New Jersey Contract Purchasing Regulations Responsible for all insurance matters pertaining to the campus.

Commodities included premium, promotional and ad specialty items. Job encompassed purchasing above items for Trump Plaza, Trump Marina and Trump Taj Mahal casinos, the corporate offices and consulting work for the New York and Indiana properties. Items purchased included cars, jewelry, apparel, electronics, crystal, china, company flowers, and company awards, all types of giftware and specialty items. Research for recommendations and purchases were guided by current trends. Previously purchased all phases of restaurant equipment, casino gaming equipment, entertainment and party rentals, decor and floral arrangements, uniforms, tabletop needs, paper disposable, security/communication equipment, and housekeeping/EVS chemicals and machinery.

Assisted in daily operations for not-for-profit agency. Worked specifically on Beach Fest '97, a three-day festival in Atlantic City. Duties included researching events, scheduling entertainment, and coordinating all phases of event.

Commodities were warehouse/disposable, security, wardrobe, tabletop, communications, and housekeeping/EVS items. Job involved bidding and awarding all items in warehouse, purchasing chemicals and cleaning equipment, china and tabletop needs, all phases of wardrobe and laundry needs, and communications equipment.

Supervised and assisted three employees in the daily and monthly preparation of various hotel and marina income and expense reportsParticipated in and approved all auditing of hotel cashiers and posting of all hotel spreadsheets into General Ledger. Balanced all hotel cashier over/short variances. Prepared and posted all cashier receipts for retail, spa, restaurant, banquet, marina, and front desk.LICENSES Casino Key License