Senior Lead, Indirect Procurement / Senior Leadess, Indirect Procurement

Senior Lead, Indirect Procurement

The Royal Caribbean Group’s Supply Chain Team is thrilled to announce a full-time career opportunity for a Senior Lead, Indirect Procurement, reporting to the Manager of Indirect Procurement. This position is based onsite in Basel, Switzerland.

Summary

Celebrity River is a dynamic and strategically important growth platform within Celebrity Cruises, designed to redefine the premium river cruise experience through innovation, design excellence, and the unparalleled service synonymous with the Celebrity brand. As we expand our European footprint, we are in search of a Basel-based Senior Lead, Indirect Procurement to act as the local extension of our Miami Procurement department across Europe.

In this role, you will primarily facilitate the identification, screening, contracting, and onboarding of suppliers and vendors that will support Celebrity River’s European operations. This position is pivotal in bridging Product Development, Basel Operations & Execution, Procurement, and Legal. You will function as a cultural and operational mediator between US and European business practices, ensuring effective translation of Miami's vendor selection and onboarding processes into the European river cruising supplier landscape.

The ideal candidate will possess a background in purchasing/procurement combined with strong negotiation skills, a deep understanding of European geography and waterways, and familiarity with the river cruising industry and its stakeholders. This is a Senior Lead-level position within the Basel office infrastructure, offering the opportunity for meaningful career growth as Celebrity River continues to scale.

Please note that this role requires approximately 50% international travel and time spent onboard vessels.

Key Responsibilities

• Vendor and Supplier Onboarding:
  • Facilitate the end-to-end onboarding and contracting of European suppliers and vendors for Celebrity River, from initial identification through final contract execution.
  • Prepare and manage vendor screening, information gathering, and the selection process for prospective suppliers.
  • Build and maintain stakeholder mapping, evaluation criteria sets, and vendor profiling to facilitate consistent, well-documented selection decisions.
  • Design and continuously refine the onboarding process to scale efficiently as the vendor base grows.
  • Support end-to-end source-to-pay execution, including supplier onboarding, system setup, and purchase order coordination.
• Cross-Cultural and Cross-Functional Liaison:
  • Mediation between US & European business cultures, adapting Miami-based procurement processes for local effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with Product Development, Basel Operations/Execution, Procurement, and Legal to align vendor activities with brand and compliance requirements.
  • Act as a key contact for future suppliers and vendors, ensuring smooth communication across time zones and practices.
  • Coordinate contract lifecycle activities including intake, routing, approval tracking, and documentation in accordance with company requirements.
• Procurement, Negotiation, and Supply Chain:
  • Utilize negotiation skills to secure favorable terms with European suppliers.
  • Develop and execute sourcing strategies that support operational readiness and cost efficiency.
  • Maintain strategic supplier relationships aligned with operational and commercial objectives.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance quality, efficiency, and performance.
  • Ensure compliance with procurement policies and ethical sourcing practices.
• European and River Cruising Market Expertise:
  • Leverage knowledge of European waterways to inform supplier sourcing decisions.
  • Provide insights on European river cruising trends to Miami-based Procurement leadership.
  • Conduct market analysis to identify emerging suppliers and best practices in the river cruise sector.
• Office Integration and Team Contribution:
  • Function as a key member of the Basel office while maintaining strong ties to the Miami Indirect Procurement department.
  • Foster a supportive office culture, working collaboratively with European colleagues.
  • Exhibit team-player behavior while managing vendor relationships with minimal oversight.

Qualifications and Education

• Demonstrated background in procurement, including vendor sourcing, screening, and contracting.
• Proven negotiation skills with external suppliers, encompassing commercial and contractual terms.
• Experience in managing supply chain processes from supplier identification to operational readiness.
• Strong knowledge of European geography, waterways, and the river cruising industry.
• Prior experience working across US and European business cultures—a mediator between the two is preferred.
• Familiarity with cross-functional teamwork involving Product Development, Operations, Procurement, and Legal.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate supplier business cases and proposals.
• Experience with procurement systems and tools, including ERP systems and contract management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of European procurement regulations preferred.
• Proficient in English and German.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field required.
• Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management a plus.

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.