The Many Hats of M&R’s Jigs Gandhi

As vice president of procurement, IT & corporate services, Jigs Gandhi wears many hats. While his department is usually known for sourcing everything from guest room soaps to mattresses and furniture, fixtures and equipment, his job goes way beyond purchasing M&R’s goods and services.

The department oversees strategic planning; procurement and e-procurement services; global purchasing; vendor sourcing, negotiation and management; contract compliance; insurance and risk management; hotel openings, conversions and renovations; local law fulfillment; corporate services; and all systems management and technology services.

“People don’t always know what we do,” Jigs said. “In addition to purchasing, we offer so many other support services, including navigating contract labor, local laws, risk management, renovations, supplies, laundry, new projects and more – anything that involves leveraging our buying power to pass on cost savings directly to the hotels. We make sure we partner with the right companies to get the right products and services at the right pricing.”

On the IT side, Jigs supports the company’s technical infrastructure and works hand in hand with many brands to see what is coming down the pipeline, whether it’s a new mobile check-in feature, new POS, new PMS, cybersecurity or new safety technology to protect employees.

“Last year we launched panic buttons for half of our hotels and are working on the other half,” said Jigs. The new personal safety alarm devices ensure that employees can alert local authorities or first responders as soon as they feel endangered by simply pressing a distress button on a keychain.

“Hotel staff can instantly transmit a call for help in real time so that help always arrives quickly,” he said. “This is an example of the latest technology tool we are providing employees so they have support at their fingertips in the event of a threat to their safety.”

A 21-year lodging industry veteran, Jigs started his M&R career in 2003 as a front office manager at a Howard Johnson hotel on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He served as a property-level manager from 2005-2008 then was promoted to regional general manager. In 2013, he was named regional director of operations. In 2015, he was appointed corporate director of purchasing, a role that later expanded and grew into his current position.

Having opened more than 20 hotels in the last 20 or so years, Jigs has a keen understanding of the complexities involved in ensuring smooth hotel operations. “Multitasking is my specialty,” he said. “I do it with passion.”

Jigs said his favorite parts of the job are building relationships with partners, staying ahead of the curve with trends and innovations in an ever-changing industry, making sure everyone follows protocols and, ultimately, passing along cost savings to hotels.

Jigs' colleague, David Rivera, serves M&R as corporate purchasing manager. He has been an integral member of the department for the last 2 1/2 years. David sources products and troubleshoots any issues with vendors to keep hotel rooms in service. He also helps administer M&R's cloud-based e-procurement site that helps hoteliers manage their supply chain and purchasing programs more efficiently.

“My role is more than just purchasing, it’s about problem-solving,” he said. “We work very closely with our hotels to determine their specific needs and deliver the right products and services at the right moment in time."

“We have a very hands-on approach at M&R,” said Jigs. “We have always believed in engaging associates and working together to achieve the common goal. I don’t just see my role as procurement. I am here to provide the tools and resources needed to make our employees’ lives easier, so they can focus on what is most important: running their hotels and taking care of guests.”