Specialist, Strategic Sourcing -Food

We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist in Supply Chain focused on strategic spend categories targeting cost savings/avoidance, driving increased supplier performance (OTIF), growing supplier relationships, and negotiating long-term supplier agreements. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist works closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure contracts are in place on-time within the global markets where Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn vessels cruise.Supports Strategic Sourcing – Category Manager/s on program management within the procurement systems and performs deeper category analytics. 

• Develop and support global sourcing strategies with best-in-class suppliers through thoughtful TCO planning and data analysis that deliver value to the stakeholders
• Execute annual initiative plan by managing timelines, meeting contracting deadlines, and frequently communicates on initiatives status
• Leads supplier negotiations, manages RFP/RFQs process (7-step sourcing process), and day-to-day category management activities
• Oversees portfolio of contracts, builds and maintains supplier relationships, holds suppliers accountable to deliver contractual requirements
• Supports Strategic Sourcing – Category Manager/s on program management within the procurement systems and performs deeper category analytics

 

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. 

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree/MBA preferred
• Certifications: CPSM, CPM, APICS preferred
• Years & area of professional experience: 
• 3-7 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, and/or category management
• BS/BA in relevant field (or equivalent years’ experience) with education in supply chain, business administration, economics, or related field
• Food, beverage, hotel category sourcing experience (preferred)
• Cruise, hospitality, foodservice industry experience (preferred)
• MBA/CPSM/CPM/APICS (preferred)

Leadership, engagement, collaboration & other necessary skills:

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Intermediate knowledge of specific categories and/or ability to develop knowledge of new categories
• Intermediate negotiation skills and business judgement