F&B Buyer Explora Journeys

Msc Cruises; Genova; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Daily welfare vouchers

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

MSC Cruises in Genova, Italy, is seeking an experienced F&B Buyer to optimize global sourcing of Food & Beverage products. You will analyze markets, negotiate terms, and build supplier partnerships to balance quality, price, and service.

You should have at least 3 years in purchasing, a degree in Economics or related field, and fluency in English and Italian. The role requires travel, office presence, and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in purchasing or procurement, preferably in cruise or luxury F&B sectors.
• Degrees in Economics, Gastronomic Sciences, Procurement Management, Business Management or related field; Master’s in Food & Beverage Management a plus.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, market analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Drive global sourcing for Food & Beverage products across international markets.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to create long-term value.
• Negotiate commercial terms and conditions with suppliers to optimize cost and quality.
• Monitor market trends and identify innovative products and sourcing opportunities.
• Prepare analytical reports and monitor procurement performance to support decisions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain to optimize purchasing and delivery.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Negotiation

Excel proficiency

English and Italian fluency

Education

Economics degree

Gastronomic Sciences degree

Procurement Management degree

Business Management degree

Master's in Food & Beverage Management (plus)

Tools

Crunchtime

e-procurement platforms

Job description

Where passion meets opportunity

The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!

Your Purpose

As an F&B Buyer, you will play a key role in optimizing our global Food & Beverage sourcing activities, contributing to strategic procurement initiatives that drive efficiency, cost optimization, and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the team, you will monitor and analyze market dynamics, identify emerging trends, and anticipate future purchasing needs. You will also develop and strengthen relationships with suppliers worldwide, negotiating competitive agreements that ensure the best balance of product quality, pricing, and service excellence.

Your Impact

• Drive global sourcing activities: Identify and source Food & Beverage products from international markets, ensuring alignment with purchasing targets, quality standards, and company guidelines.
• Build strategic supplier partnerships: Develop and maintain strong commercial relationships with suppliers to foster long-term collaboration and mutual value creation.
• Negotiate competitive agreements: Analyze supplier quotations and bids, assess product specifications, and negotiate commercial terms and conditions to secure the best purchasing opportunities.
• Anticipate market trends: Monitor market developments and emerging consumer trends, proactively identifying innovative products and sourcing opportunities to support future purchasing strategies.
• Leverage data and analytics: Prepare analytical reports, monitor procurement performance, and maintain accurate purchasing records to support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate across functions: work closely with Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain teams to optimize procurement processes and identify the most effective purchasing and delivery solutions.

Your Journey so far

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in a purchasing or procurement role, preferably within the cruise industry.
• A degree in Economics, Gastronomic Sciences, Procurement Management, Business Management, or a related field. A Master's degree in Food & Beverage Management will be considered a plus.
• Previous experience in the luxury Food & Beverage sector is an advantage.

Your Essentials

• Solid experience in the Food sector, with a strong understanding of strategic sourcing processes, supplier management, and market trends.
• Good command of Microsoft Excel; familiarity with e-procurement platforms is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of computer and business systems; knowledge of Crunchtime is a plus.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate supplier quotations, compare commercial proposals, and assess logistics alternatives.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Fluency in both English and Italian; knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across different teams and functions.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Availability to travel.
• Legal right to work in Italy.

Our commitment

In line with applicable pay transparency requirements, we are pleased to share the compensation details for this role.

The role is entitled to a gross annual salary between € 32.000 and € 35.000. The position within the salary range and the corresponding job classification level under the applicable CCNL, will be determined based on the candidate’s professional experience, technical competencies, and the level of autonomy and responsibility assigned to the role. The employment relationship will be governed by the CCNL Commercio (National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Commerce Sector).

The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including €8 meal vouchers and €3 daily welfare vouchers for each day worked from the office (minimum 5 hours on-site), plus access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential professional support to employees and their immediate family members to enhance well-being and work-life balance.

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.