Position: Lead, Vendor Management

Summary:
This Lead role of Vendor Management supports all crew member movement for The Group’s brands (Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International). The primary focus of this job is to manage the 400+ vendors that support The Group’s crew movement around the world. Vendor management in this role includes, but is not limited to, market research, contract negotiation and execution, quality assurance, budget analysis and adherence, crew logistics planning and execution. Vendors that will be managed include, but are not limited to, transportation companies, hotels, port agents, immigration services, and government officials. The incumbent is responsible for managing all additional crew-related logistics requirements as directed by the Crew Logistics Manager. This role will also have a strong focus on process development, improvement, and implementation to ensure continuous enhancement of operational excellence and efficiency. Lastly, the Lead will also be responsible for New Build related movements and all crew movement formalities that take place within the yard. This role requires a dynamic team player with excellent organization and communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Manages the contract negotiation, and execution with all vendors according to the operational needs provided by the business.
2. Lead multinational team members and ensure that departmental goals, KPIs, and metrics are met.
3. Oversee vendor’s performance by analyzing cost, process[es], efficiencies and quality surveys.
4. Collaborate with the Regional Manager[s] to accomplish meeting the revenue targets for the region.
5. Oversees the implementation of detailed operational plans for all ports, including crew departure procedures, boarding procedure, general information, immigration, and customs clearance. Leads pre-planning operational set-up and financial planning for ports, prior to start of each itinerary, includes vendor and ship training.
6. Lead the planning and execution of all new build & dry dock related movements which include sourcing and contracting of vendors, developing detailed crew journeys, and overall management of crew mass arrivals. Collaborate with the brand’s leadership on overall strategy and goals related to these movements.
7. Continually strives to improve overall service and efficiency of operations by managing quality assurance of pier, airport, transportation and hotel experiences through spot checks, survey results, and additional vessel feedback; addresses service failures and develops and implements corrective action plans. Recommends adjustments to turnaround operations to enhance crew satisfaction and reduce operating expenses.
8. Retrieves and analyzes data using basic statistical quality control techniques. Issues recommendations based on data arrived at during gap analyses. Prepares and summarizes data and presents to senior management with recommendations. Develops recommendations and proposed solutions for review with key management members.
9. Oversee vendor set-up in various systems, accounting, and all vendor documentation. Verify that system rates are correct, as negotiated.
10. Review and analyze regularly conducted audits and service level reviews on vendor performance. Strategize with management on opportunities and provide vendors with the information and plan on improving overall services.
11. Manage vendor performance by keeping a scorecard that tracks metrics such as: billing timing, service levels, detours of contracted rate, responsiveness, etc.
12. Lead RFP and contract services for groups attending training, meetings, and events. Responsible for all the event planning and coordination as well as managing related expenses and invoices.
13. Prioritize vendor relationships and ensure that The Group is receiving best possible pricing and service for the operations.
14. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

Financial Responsibility:

• Assist in managing performance to meet annual financial plan of $43M.
• Responsible for reporting and communicating any budget impact caused by variances in contracts or travel peaks.
• Assist in the control of costs associated with crew movement travel expenses, such as transportation, airport operations, port operations, hotel, visas, immigration process and other required travel documentation that affects the department budget.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Paralegal, Hospitality, Vendor Negotiations, International Relations, or Maritime Law or directly related, equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of experience working with port administration, hotel, transportation, and contract procurement, or at least four years’ experience managing maritime logistics.
• Previous experience in negotiations and managing multimillion dollar budget.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate to vendors globally.
• English proficiency required. Bilingual preferred with fluency in Spanish, Portuguese or Chinese; proficiency in additional languages preferred.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunities to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.