Lead, Dry Dock Procurement

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our exciting team of employees. Royal Caribbean Group is pleased to offer a competitive compensation & benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.

This position is on site based in Weybridge, UK. 

We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands — including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises — the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests.

Royal Caribbean Group’s Supply Chain Team has an exciting career opportunity for a full time Lead, Dry Dock Procurement reporting to the  Procurement Manager

Position Summary:

The Lead, Dry Dock Procurement serves as the subject matter expert for all procurement activities related to dry dock operations across the fleet. This role leads complex sourcing strategies, supplier partnerships, cost optimization initiatives, and cross-functional projects that directly impact dry dock schedules, vessel readiness, and operational reliability.

This role needs strong communication, negotiation, analytical skills, and deep knowledge of maritime operations to balance supplier performance (cost, quality, delivery) with project needs, bridging engineering specs and commercial realities ensuring deliverables and costs remain on schedule and budget.

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership

· Leads end-to-end sourcing for complex technical categories across dry dock projects, including major repairs, shipyard services, OEM materials, and specialized maritime equipment.

· Owns and manages strategic sourcing roadmaps, category strategies, and global supplier portfolios.

· Designs, executes, and evaluates RFPs/RFQs of high financial and technical complexity with full autonomy.

· Negotiates multimillion-dollar agreements optimizing cost, quality, delivery, risk, and lifecycle value.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

· Acts as the primary global liaison with key shipyards, OEMs, and critical suppliers.

· Leads supplier performance assessments, corrective actions, quality reviews, and long-term strategic partnerships

· Identifies, evaluates, and onboards new suppliers to strengthen the organization's competitive position.

Cost, Contract, & Risk Management 

· Develops advanced cost models and analysis tools to identify savings, mitigate risks, and optimize spend.

· Leads contract development, compliance, and negotiation for high-value and technically complex agreements.

· Ensures accurate, timely validation of invoices and financial close-out for all dry dock procurement packages.

Cross-Functional & Project Leadership 

· Serves as the procurement lead for global cross-functional dry dock project teams, partnering with Marine Operations, Technical, Supply Chain, Finance, and Project Managers.

· Translates complex engineering and maintenance specifications into commercial procurement strategies.

· Ensures full alignment with dry dock schedules, technical scopes, and regulatory requirements.

Process, Systems, & Tool Innovation

· Leads the design and implementation of tools, systems, and process improvements to enhance planning, sourcing, bidding, and execution for global dry dock operations.

· Develops dashboards, procurement templates, and reporting tools to support leadership decision-making.

· Drives continuous improvement initiatives across the global procurement function. 

Qualifications and Education: 

· 6+ years of experience of procurement

· Procurement Expertise: Sourcing, negotiation, contract law basics, cost analysis.

· Communication: Clear written/verbal skills for technical and commercial stakeholders.

· Advanced analytical capability to interpret complex technical bids, pricing structures, and financial models.

· Subject matter expertise in maritime procurement, ship repair, marine systems, and related technical disciplines and operational impacts.

· High proficiency in ERP/procurement systems, Excel, and project management tools.

We know there is 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 will hope to see you onboard soon!

It is the policy of the Company to ensure 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.