Specialist, Strategic Sourcing F&B

We are seeking strategic-minded Category Specialist to support sourcing activities within Food & Beverage. You will develop and implement category strategies, optimize the supply chain, and drive cost-savings initiatives. Your role includes conducting market research, analyzing spend data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet business needs. You will manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and monitor supplier performance to ensure compliance and continuity of supply. Additionally, you will prepare and present reports on category performance and sourcing activities to senior management, providing insights for strategic decision-making.

As Category Specialist your daily responsibilities include:

• Develop and expedite category strategies to meet company objectives

• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships within the assigned category

• Conduct market research to stay informed about industry trends and best practices

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand category needs and requirements

• Analyze spend data and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements

• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions

• Manage risk and ensure continuity of supply within the category

• Prepare and present reports on category performance and sourcing activities to senior management.

Essential Functions:

• Development of an effective long-term strategic sourcing plan for highly complex categories and projects that create long term value while meeting brand objectives, including value creation, supply continuity, risk mitigation, and innovation. Effective collaboration on strategic sourcing categories and projects within the organization and stakeholders; Developing relationships to become a trusted sourcing partner. Ensuring cross-functional engagement and support of category projects and initiatives.

• Apply category management best practices, tools and techniques in the development and implementation of an integrated strategic sourcing strategy to assess the overall opportunity within the categories for projects. Serving as a subject matter expert on strategic sourcing categories with the stakeholders and fostering effective relationships

• Maintain focus on project timelines and deliverables to ensure business goals and objectives are met. Strong partnership with Finance team to accurately forecast impacts of category strategy, including scenario modeling

• Researching best practices and conducting baseline due diligence to best understand opportunities for savings, reducing TCO, improve efficiencies, quality improvement and service of the sourcing teams. Lead supplier qualification, segmentation and certification programs

• Effective supplier relationship management; leveraging data, metrics, and internal feedback. Providing and reviewing score cards to improve supplier results. Developing early supplier involvement to ensure suppliers are utilized to their full capabilities and proactively providing input to provide low cost, efficient, and quality goods and services. Effectively influencing change and buy-in across the stakeholder group and leadership.

• Implement gold-standard contracts across strategic supplier base. Negotiate strategic supplier contracts, develop innovative pricing models and agreements to deliver value to brands.

• Document activities to share results, best practices and develop a playbook within the sourcing teams.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Scope:  The Category Specialist operates within the Food & Beverage sourcing function, supporting the development and execution of category strategies across the organization. This role has a direct impact on optimizing the supply chain, ensuring cost efficiency, and maintaining continuity of supply for critical business operations.  The position collaborates with cross-functional teams, including procurement, operations, and senior management, to align sourcing activities with overall business objectives.

• Problem solving:  The role requires analyzing complex spend data, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and resolving supply chain risks.  The Category Specialist must evaluate supplier performance, address non-compliance issues, and adapt strategies based on market research and industry trends.  Effective negotiation and risk management skills are essential to overcome challenges in supplier management and contract execution.

• Impact: The Category Specialist drives cost-savings initiatives and process improvements, directly influencing the company’s bottom line.  By managing supplier relationships and ensuring compliance with contractual terms, the role safeguards supply continuity and quality standards.  The insights and reports provided to senior management support strategic decision-making and long-term business planning.

• Leadership:  While the Category Specialist may not have direct reports, the role demonstrates leadership by managing supplier relationships and influencing cross-functional teams. The position leads initiatives to develop and implement category strategies, ensuring alignment with company goals.  The role is responsible for preparing and presenting performance reports to senior management, showcasing thought leadership and strategic insight.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years’ experience) in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.  MBA preferred.

• CPSM, CPM, APICS preferred

• Intermediate negotiation and contract management skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Intermediate knowledge of specific categories and/or ability to develop knowledge of new categories

• Strong attention to detail and process orientation

• Ability to build strong relationships with suppliers, and courage to hold them accountable during challenging situations

• Ability to perform analysis and interpret results into actional steps

• Ability to manage multiple initiatives and priorities at once

• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills

• 3-5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, and/or category management

• Food, beverage, hotel category sourcing experience and/or cruise, hospitality, foodservice industry experience (required)

• Strong people management skills, ability to effectively lead in a cross-functional team environment and manage multiple priorities. Identify and resolve problems efficiently and effectively

• Well-developed influencing skills and stakeholder management. Experience with supplier relationship management.

Travel:  Less than 25% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Tuesday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Mondays and Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.   

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage  
• Financial Benefits: 
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 
• Paid Time Off 
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.  
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   
• Other Benefits 
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement  
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus 

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