Technical Purchasing Manager

Overview Awarded World's Best Small Ship Cruise line, Windstar Cruises is known for intimate yacht style experience and unique voyages to the world's best small ports and hidden harbors. Its three sailing yachts and four all-suite yachts carry just 148 to 342 guests and cruise around the world. Our mission is to imagine and deliver personalized and immersive experiences 180 degrees from ordinary. We enrich people's perspective through inspired travel. Our Mission: We imagine and deliver personalized and immersive experiences 180 degrees from ordinary Our Vision: Enriching people's perspective through inspired travel Our Values: Welcoming, Innovative, Now, Discipline, Serve, Teamwork, Authentic, Responsible Job Summary: The Manager, Technical Purchasing is responsible for leading the technical purchasing function across the Windstar fleet, ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement of technical services, spare parts, and consumables required for vessel operations, maintenance, and dry docks. This role oversees purchasing staff, manages supplier relationships and contracts, and drives sourcing strategies that support safe, reliable, and efficient ship operations. Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain within Fleet Operations, the Manager plays a critical role in aligning technical procurement activities with fleet maintenance plans, capital projects, and broader supply chain strategies. The position requires strong leadership, commercial acumen, and deep maritime purchasing expertise in a complex international operating environment. ResponsibilitiesTechnical Purchasing Leadership: Lead and manage all technical purchasing activities supporting vessel operations, maintenance, capital projects, and dry dock execution. Supervise purchasing agents, providing coaching, training, performance management, and workforce planning support. Establish clear expectations, workflows, and accountability within the technical purchasing team. Sourcing Strategy & Cost Management: Develop and continuously enhance technical purchasing strategies to maximize value, ensure supply reliability, and control costs. Proactively identify cost-saving opportunities, value-added supplier partnerships, and sourcing efficiencies across technical categories. Lead competitive bid processes, contract negotiations, and supplier selection to ensure best-value outcomes. Supplier & Contract Management: Develop, negotiate, implement, and administer contracts for technical goods and services, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and ethics guidelines. Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, service providers, shipyards, and internal stakeholders. Monitor supplier performance and address quality, delivery, or commercial issues as needed. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Technical Operations, Superintendents, and Engineering teams to define technical requirements, specifications, and procurement plans. Support departments with cost analysis, vendor qualification, and contract strategy development. Assist Technical Superintendents in the planning and execution of capital projects and dry dock activities. Logistics, Documentation & Inventory Support: Ensure accurate and timely transmission of purchase documentation to vessels. Investigate and resolve storing, delivery, and inventory discrepancies, securing credits when appropriate in coordination with vendors and shipboard teams. Financial Controls & Compliance: Review and resolve invoice discrepancies, including purchase orders and delivery adjustments. Ensure procurement activities align with approved budgets, operational standards, and accounting requirements. Support audits and reviews of purchasing procedures and supplier compliance. Continuous Improvement & Special Projects: Identify opportunities to improve procurement systems, processes, and data quality. Lead or support special projects as assigned, including system enhancements, vendor rationalization, and dry dock initiatives. Travel as required to vessels, shipyards, and supplier locations to support operations and audit processes. QualificationsExperience: Minimum 5 years of proven technical purchasing experience within the maritime or cruise industry. 3-5 years of management or supervisory experience leading purchasing or supply chain teams. Demonstrated experience supporting dry docks, capital projects, and international sourcing. Education & Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Access. High proficiency in purchasing and inventory systems (AMOS-W experience preferred). Strong negotiation skills with experience managing bid and award cycles. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced operational environment. Preferred Qualifications: CPM, APP, or equivalent purchasing certifications. International sourcing and supplier management experience. Experience supporting shipyard activities and new-build or major refit projects. Benefits: For full-time employees, Windstar offers a comprehensive benefits package including: Medical, Dental & Vision; HSA & FSA; Life & Disability; Accident, Hospital & Critical Illness; Pet Insurance; Vacation, Sick Time and paid Holidays; 401(k) with Company Match; Employee Assistance Plan; Education Assistance and Employee Discounts & Travel Deals. EEO: Windstar is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Created: 2026-03-12