Strategic Sourcing Specialist The Specialist, Strategic Sourcing supports strategic sourcing efforts across a diverse portfolio of Technical and Port Operations spend categories. This includes, but is not limited to, ship systems, safety, hotel, furnishings, navigation, environmental, repair & maintenance, terminal operations, port services, and other operational services. The role supports initiatives that deliver value, drive savings, increase efficiencies, and mitigate supply chain risks. This position will work closely with stakeholder groups across our North American brands (Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Line, Holland America Line & Seabourn) as a strategic partner who listens to understand business needs; provides expertise in planning and implementing sourcing initiatives; and maintains a focus on project timelines and deliverables to ensure business goals and objectives are met. The Specialist serves as a sourcing and category support resource throughout the sourcing lifecycle, assisting with supplier qualification, competitive sourcing, market analysis, contract implementation, supplier performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives. By leveraging data, market insights, and category knowledge, this role helps drive value creation, mitigate supply chain risk, improve supplier performance, and ensure the continuity, quality, and cost-effectiveness of products and services across assigned categories.
Essential Functions:
Support strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned spend categories by assisting with opportunity assessments, requirement gathering, sourcing strategy development, supplier evaluations, competitive events, negotiations, and implementation activities. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure sourcing initiatives align with operational and business objectives. Support assigned categories through spend analysis, category research, supplier assessments, and identification of standardization, efficiency, and value-creation opportunities. Assist in developing category strategies and maintaining sourcing documentation and market intelligence. Conduct supplier research, market intelligence, benchmarking, and market assessments to identify qualified suppliers, innovative solutions, and opportunities to improve quality, service, sustainability, and overall value. Analyze spend, pricing trends, supplier performance metrics, lifecycle costs, and operational data to identify sourcing opportunities, improve efficiencies, and support data-driven recommendations. Support supplier performance management through scorecards, business reviews, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining collaborative supplier relationships. Assist with contract implementation, supplier onboarding, transition planning, and cross-functional communication to ensure successful execution of sourcing initiatives. Maintain sourcing documentation, technical files, supplier information, reporting dashboards, and project records while documenting best practices and lessons learned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Scope:
The Specialist, Strategic Sourcing supports sourcing activities across Technical and Port Operations categories, including ship systems, safety, hotel furnishings, navigation, environmental, repair & maintenance, terminal operations, marine services, and other operational services. The role works closely with stakeholders, suppliers, and sourcing leadership across Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and Corporate functions to execute sourcing initiatives, perform spend and market analysis, support supplier management activities, and ensure compliance with sourcing policies. The position contributes to cost savings, supplier performance improvement, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation through effective sourcing execution and cross-functional collaboration.
As a Strategic Sourcing Specialist, daily responsibilities include:
Support strategic sourcing projects across assigned Technical and Port Operations categories.
Collaborate with Engineering, Hotel Operations, Environmental, Safety, Fleet Technical, and Port Operations teams to align on requirements.
Assist in developing category strategies and sourcing plans.
Conduct supplier market research and benchmark suppliers and emerging solutions.
Evaluate supplier capabilities, certifications, and compliance.
Support RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs through commercial and supplier evaluations and bid analysis.
Perform spend, pricing, and total cost of ownership analyses.
Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and scorecards.
Support contract implementation and supplier transitions.
Maintain sourcing documentation and records.
Problem Solving:
The role requires strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills to support sourcing initiatives and evaluate supplier solutions. The Specialist gathers and interprets market, spend, pricing, supplier, and operational data to identify opportunities, assess risks, and develop recommendations. Responsibilities frequently require balancing stakeholder requirements, supplier capabilities, cost considerations, and operational priorities while ensuring compliance with sourcing standards and policies.
Impact:
This role contributes to operational and financial performance by supporting sourcing initiatives that reduce costs, improve supplier performance, mitigate supply chain risk, and enhance service levels across Technical and Port Operations categories. Through market analysis, supplier engagement, and cross-functional collaboration, the position helps deliver sourcing objectives, improve category performance, and support long-term business value creation across the North American brands.
Essential/Minimal Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Marine/Industrial Engineering, Naval Architecture, Construction Management, or similar discipline is required.
MBA preferred.
CPSM or CPM preferred
Essential Experience Required:
Minimum 3-5 years of experience supporting or executing strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, technical operations, marine operations, port operations, construction, manufacturing, or related commercial disciplines. Exposure to structured category management methodologies (e.g., "six-" or "seven-step process") is preferred. Experience supporting competitive sourcing events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) through eSourcing or eProcurement tools, including bid analysis, supplier evaluations, and award recommendations. Strong analytical skills, including the ability to gather, model, and interpret data in Excel; support financial analyses such as TCO modeling, cost-to-serve, and price benchmarking; and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Familiarity with market and supplier analysis, including industry research, benchmarking, and supplier assessments. Proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; ability to build clear, well-structured presentations and analyses for internal stakeholders. Working knowledge of contract terms, negotiation support, and supplier performance management practices. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn, take direction, and contribute to broader sourcing strategy execution.
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 Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on 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
