Lead, Buyer

Position Summary/Job Purpose

The Lead, Buyer is responsible for the management and coordination of their assigned staff in fulfilling the goals and objectives for their assigned category. They oversee Buyers in a fast-paced environment for the negotiation and management of goods and services on an on-going and/or emergency basis. They are responsible for managing suppliers and inventory levels to ensure vessel orders are fulfilled and on time. The Lead Buyer will establish category level strategy in alignment with departmental goals and initiatives and perform periodic RFQ / Bids to secure best price and service for products in the category. The Lead Buyer must provide guidance for last minute orders which may have a financial impact on revenue. Due to the sensitivity and criticality of certain orders, a timely resolution will have a profound influence on the Internal and External guest’s satisfaction and operational requirements of the company’s corporate offices and vessels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the timely delivery of goods and services by running reports to ensure that buyers and suppliers are meeting the departmental requirements and take actions with buyers or category managers to address outliers.
• Covers supplier meetings, assists with product evaluations and reviews supplier performance.
• Ensures that required audits are completed, and that the feedback on performance is communicated to suppliers/Category Managers.
• Guides the Buyers in the source to pay process, especially with the Procure to Pay piece with requisitions to POs.
• Makes sure Buyers are performing the triage to channel requisitions thru the right buying channel available in the source to pay system.
• Manages and monitors procurement reporting systems to meet company requirements.
• Prepares and issues purchase orders with buyers and coordinate change orders.
• Performs frequent spot checks, and reviews on assigned Buyers to ensure accuracy of work and timely response to internal and external customers.
• Organizes, manages, and directs the work of the buyers in the assigned procurement function overseeing the assignment of duties, responsibilities and workstations and provides final approval for overtime.
• Uses skill and judgment to determine poor performing Buyers. Provide objective feedback to Buyers to address gaps.
• Provides disciplinary actions, and correction criteria when necessary.
• Ensures Buyers are adopting our source to pay suite from requisition to PO and monitor cycle times.
• Provides support and guidance to buyers to ensure SOPs are maintained.
• Works closely with Indirect Procurement Team to meet operational needs, and quarterly financial objectives.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Purchasing experience or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 6-8 years’ experience and or training or equivalent combination of education and knowledge.
• Ability to effectively present information and communicate with all levels of Management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with complex variables where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Experience working with Sourcing, Contracting and P2P suites i.e. Oracle, Coupa, SAP Ariba, etc is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and priorities.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products, specifically Excel.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals / SOPs.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from suppliers and all levels of staff and management, both shipboard and shoreside.

Physical requirements and Work Environment

• Up to 25% domestic and international travel, as necessary.

Agency and Third-Party Submissions

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!

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to ensuring equal employment and promotion opportunity 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.