Purchasing Agent

A Purchasing Agent at Carnival Cruise Lines is responsible for managing the procurement of goods and services necessary for shipboard operations. Key responsibilities include sourcing and negotiating with suppliers, reviewing vendor confirmations, and addressing out-of-stock items through research and alternative sourcing. The role demands strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both shoreside and shipboard teams. Candidates should possess excellent communication and teamwork abilities, as they will liaise with various departments to ensure timely and cost-effective procurement solutions. A background in supply chain management or purchasing, along with proficiency in relevant software and systems, is essential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and possess the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Essential Functions:

Procurement & Supplier Management (40%)

• What: Manage supplier relationships, sourcing activities, and procurement transactions for food, beverage, hotel, and operational requirements. Why: To ensure uninterrupted supply, cost competitiveness, and compliance with company standards. How: Review vendor confirmations, source alternatives for out-of-stock items, negotiate pricing and contractual terms, and conduct supplier performance evaluations. Impact: Reduces supply disruptions, improves supplier accountability, and delivers cost savings while maintaining service levels. Scope: Interfaces with domestic and international suppliers, supports multiple vessel and shoreside operations, and influences procurement spend and supplier performance outcomes.

Supply Chain & Inventory Management (20%)

• What: Manage inventory planning and support logistics coordination for shipboard deliveries. Why: To maintain optimal stock levels and ensure products are available when needed to support vessel operations and guest experience. How: Monitor inventory trends, forecast demand, identify replenishment requirements, and coordinate with logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of goods. Impact: Minimizes stockouts, excess inventory, emergency purchases, and operational disruptions. Scope: Supports multiple vessel deployments and ports, requiring coordination across procurement, logistics, and operational stakeholders.

Procurement Operations & Stakeholder Support (20%)

• What: Maintain procurement records and provide operational support to shipboard and shoreside stakeholders. Why: To ensure accurate procurement data, efficient transaction processing, and timely resolution of purchasing issues. How: Update procurement systems, maintain purchase records, monitor procurement activities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve supply chain and purchasing challenges. Impact: Improves data accuracy, operational efficiency, compliance, and customer service while enabling informed business decisions. Scope: Supports procurement systems, reporting requirements, and stakeholders across multiple business units and fleet operations.

Continuous Improvement & Team Development (15%)

• What: Drive process improvements, cost reduction initiatives, employee development, and special projects. Why: To improve operational effectiveness, reduce costs, strengthen team capabilities, and support strategic business objectives. How: Analyze procurement processes, identify savings opportunities, participate in improvement projects, train new employees, and complete assigned departmental initiatives. Impact: Enhances productivity, increases procurement value, promotes knowledge transfer, and supports organizational growth and continuous improvement. Scope: Influences departmental performance, employee development, procurement best practices, and cross-functional improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Scope: Manages procurement and supply chain activities for FBH operations across Carnival’s global cruise line portfolio.  Collaborates with Finance, Strategic Sourcing, operational stakeholders, and domestic and international suppliers on spend consolidation, supplier qualification and segmentation, spot purchases, project timelines, and sourcing playbooks.

• Problem solving: Addresses complex sourcing challenges, supplier compliance issues, and logistics bottlenecks, requiring innovative solutions and risk mitigation strategies. Evaluates alternatives that balance cost, quality, service, supply continuity, risk, and innovation.

• Impact: Creates long-term value by reducing total cost of ownership and reliance on tactical or spot buys, improving supplier performance, efficiency, quality, and supply continuity, and strengthening forecast accuracy and stakeholder buy-in. These outcomes support guest experience, cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and sustainability performance.

• Leadership: N/A

Essential/Minimal Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field    

• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement processes and supply chain best practices    

• Understanding of compliance, ethical sourcing, and sustainability standards          

Essential Experience Required: 

• Experience managing procurement and supply chain operations in hospitality, travel, or leisure industries

• Proven track record of supplier management and contract negotiation

• Experience implementing or supporting sustainability and compliance initiatives within a global supply chain

• Familiarity with risk assessment and due diligence processes for suppliers

Travel: No or very little travel likely

Work Conditions:Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands:. Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage  
• Financial Benefits: 
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 
• Paid Time Off 
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.  
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   
• Other Benefits 
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement  
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus 

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About Us

Carnival Corporation is the world’s largest leisure travel company, our mission to deliver unforgettable happiness to our guest through our diverse portfolio of leading cruise brands and island destinations, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn in North America and Australia; P&O Cruises and Cunard Line in the United Kingdom; AIDA in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe.

Join us and embark on a career that offers not only the chance to grow professionally but also the opportunity to be part of a global community that makes a difference.

In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.

Carnival Corporation and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law. 

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