Head of Procurement, Fleet Operations
Head of Procurement, Fleet Operations
Leading Business in the Leisure Industry
Your Purpose
A leading business in the leisure industry is seeking an accomplished Head of Procurement, Fleet Operations to spearhead sourcing excellence across its global fleet. Reporting directly to the Procurement Director, this is a high‑impact leadership role responsible for shaping the procurement strategy for all Ship‑in‑Operations categories and ensuring safe, efficient and reliable operational performance across the fleet.
You will act as the key procurement partner to both New Build and Technical teams, driving cross‑functional alignment, strengthening governance, and ensuring sourcing activity is fully integrated with both operational priorities and long‑term strategic goals.
This role requires a senior procurement professional who understands the complexities of fleet operations and can translate operational needs into a clear, multi‑year sourcing strategy. You will define and deliver a comprehensive category programme aligned with newbuild requirements, operational continuity, and long‑term supply chain resilience.
Working closely with New Build and Operations teams, you will deliver portfolio performance targets, unlock value through low‑cost country sourcing opportunities, and build strong, strategic supplier partnerships across critical spend areas.
You will also drive localisation of sourcing to enhance service delivery, optimise total cost of ownership, and support supply chain excellence across the global hotel portfolio.
Your Impact
Negotiation & Contract Management
- Lead high‑value negotiations to secure competitive commercial terms, robust service levels, and long‑term value.
- Ensure contracts support operational continuity, quality, and commercial performance.
Vendor Relationship Management
- Build and nurture strategic supplier partnerships to enhance service delivery, innovation, and operational reliability.
- Establish supplier governance models to ensure accountability, on‑time performance, and continuous improvement.
Sourcing Strategy
- Develop and execute procurement strategies that reinforce operational excellence and improve onboard revenue performance.
- Ensure all sourcing decisions support cost effectiveness, quality, and operational resilience.
Cost Management
- Monitor, track, and manage procurement budgets to ensure cost‑effective purchasing aligned with operational standards.
- Identify cost‑saving and value‑creation opportunities across the fleet supply chain.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure procurement activities comply with legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements.
- Mitigate commercial, operational, and supply chain risks through structured governance.
Performance Monitoring
- Analyse supplier performance, identify issues, and drive corrective actions to strengthen supply reliability and commercial outcomes.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner with key stakeholders across Operations, New Build, Hotel, Finance, and Technical teams to ensure procurement supports overall business goals.
- Act as a trusted advisor across the organisation, aligning sourcing activity with fleet performance targets.
Your Journey So Far
- Strong project management capabilities, particularly within complex technical environments.
- Proven ability to deliver continuous improvement across supply chain and procurement processes.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership capability and a track record of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.
- Experience in a senior procurement role within the shipping sector or within major capital procurement projects.
- Comfortable operating within a large, matrixed, and fast‑evolving organisation with complex technology requirements.
- Outstanding influencing capabilities and agility in managing change.
Your Essentials
- University degree in business, supply chain, engineering, computer science, or a related discipline.
- 10+ years' strategic sourcing experience, including at least 3 years in a significant global procurement leadership role.
- Strong analytical and data‑driven decision‑making capability, with the ability to adapt plans amid ambiguity and complexity.
- Highly organised, self‑driven, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder‑management skills within matrix structures.
- Fluent English; additional languages (particularly Italian or French) are an advantage.
FAQs
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