Carnival UK are looking to engage with experienced procurement professionals to join our leading Procurement and Supply Chain directorate.
We have 2 exciting opportunities at Category Manager level - one role within our Technical team and one role within our Indirect team (Marketing experience is preferable).
The Category Manager role is a key procurement role within the department at Carnival UK's Head office in Southampton.
Carnival UK are looking to engage with experienced procurement professionals to join our leading Procurement and Supply Chain directorate.
We have 2 exciting opportunities at Category Manager level - one role within our Technical team and one role within our Indirect team (Marketing experience is preferable).
The Category Manager role is a key procurement role within the department at Carnival UK's Head office in Southampton.

• Key to the success of this role will be your ability to develop, implement, lead and set direction of the category sourcing strategy for the category, managing all aspects of the commercial, operational, quality and risk management requirements.
• You will be responsible for the full end to end sourcing and supply process for the category from supporting business partners to developing a definition of need (requisition / specification) through to confirmation of delivery and supplier payment.
• This is achieved through collaborating closely with the various business partners from product specialists, through supply chain, logistics and ship staff.

Further responsibilities include:

• Engage effectively with the supply market for their category to bring value-added innovation and opportunities to CUK
• Manage, on behalf of the business, effective supplier relationships, balancing security of supply, cost effectiveness, commitment, CUK reputation and access to market innovation
• Lead and execute tendering, negotiating, contracting and contract management activities on significant spend areas within their category
• Identify and lead opportunities within their category to drive performance in supply, cost, quality, innovation and risk
• Conduct regular analysis of supplier spend and volume data, reducing overall supply chain costs or leveraging spends where scale allows, moving down the supply chain toward original product source
• Act as a Procurement Business partner for product / operations management
• Lead collaboration efforts with other Carnival operating companies and the corporate sourcing group
• Mentors and/or coaches more junior staff and may lead the development of capability across the procurement function as a subject matter expert
• May manage a small team, in which case they are responsible for the effective leadership and development of those individuals
• Actively builds the reputation of the profession in the business by being seen as an engaged expert, delivering business needs through procurement capabilities

Experience Required:

• You will have substantial previous procurement experience and will be someone who is expected to set the gold standard in procurement.
• You'll be able to coach and mentor others around you, demonstrating how the greatest value can be gained from our suppliers.
• Be experienced in category management and development of sourcing strategies
• Have excellent negotiating skills drawing up and dealing with contracts of varying values and complexities, and managing supplier Service Level Agreements.
• Be commercially astute analyst, a natural problem solver with a strong understanding of leveraging operating efficiencies, opportunities to gain added value from suppliers and logistics partners
• Naturally, you will be a first class communicator and influencer, with a focus on process, with the ability to apply clarity of purpose and define simple, robust operating processes

Preferably you will have a Procurement or Supply Professional Qualification (CIPS) and will be educated to Degree level in a Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) subject but it is not essential.

About us:
One of our core organisational values is that we are 'better together' and that's why we're working hard to build a flexible and inclusive culture; where difference is respected and valued and where our people can be themselves. Inclusivity is at the heart of our recruitment process so we welcome applications from everyone. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership and pregnancy & maternity.

Carnival UK is the operating company for P&O Cruises & Cunard. We provide unforgettable holiday experiences and operate a winning culture to achieve standout success.

Our Cunard ships have been defining sophisticated ocean travel for over 175 years. Our ships have always been The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World. We continue our legacy of luxury ocean travel with our flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, with Queen Mary 2 providing the only regularly scheduled transatlantic service between Southampton and New York. In 2022 our fourth Queen will join our Cunard fleet.

P&O Cruises has a proud and long tradition, with seven ships including our flagship Britannia which joined our fleet in March 2015. Our new ship, the largest in the UK market, will join the fleet in 2020, meaning we can offer more experiences tailored to British tastes - combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time.

It takes great passion and real dedication to maintain our position at the top. That's why extraordinary, passionate people are at the heart of our journey delivering the highest standards to our valued customers. With support to help you reach your potential, attractive company benefits and incredible employee offers on discounted cruises we want your career with us to be successful and fun. Join us on our journey, apply now.