Strategic Sourcing & Expediting Manager

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Celebration (FL); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Disney Cruise Line is seeking a Manager, Strategic Sourcing to lead Expediting and a category portfolio across the fleet. You will oversee a team of six Expeditors, drive process improvements, and optimize end-to-end procurement and delivery for Disney’s ships.

This role requires strong strategic sourcing and supply chain expertise and the ability to influence stakeholders across a dynamic organization. The position emphasizes developing long-term sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience managing teams and delivering measurable business results.
• Experience developing and executing long-term category management and sourcing strategies.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive spend analysis, contract assessments, supplier evaluations, and market research.
• Extensive experience leading competitive sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier negotiations, and contract administration.
• Strong contract negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to secure favorable commercial outcomes and manage business risk.
• Proven experience evaluating supplier capabilities, financial stability, operational performance, and overall business fit.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management principles.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, automation initiatives, and technology solutions that improve operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, executive leadership, suppliers, and business partners.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, financial, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change without direct authority.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including coaching, mentoring, talent development, and succession planning.
• Ability to operate with a strategic mindset while maintaining strong executional focus and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Expeditors supporting Disney Cruise Line procurement activities.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of current expediting processes and identify opportunities to improve supplier order confirmations, shipment visibility, delivery performance, and overall operational efficiency.
• Evaluate existing procurement and supply chain workflows and implement process improvements that enhance service levels, reduce manual effort, and improve responsiveness to business needs.
• Identify and implement technology solutions, automation opportunities, reporting tools, and process enhancements that support future fleet growth and increasing purchasing volumes.
• Develop performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to measure supplier responsiveness, order cycle times, delivery performance, and overall expediting effectiveness.
• Assume ownership of an assigned sourcing category and develop a comprehensive category management strategy.
• Conduct detailed spend analysis, contract analysis, supplier assessments, and industry market evaluations to develop sourcing opportunities and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year sourcing roadmap for assigned categories that includes contract renewals, sourcing projects, supplier management activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, increase supplier performance, and mitigate commercial and supply chain risks.
• Lead competitive sourcing events, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Negotiate favorable commercial terms, pricing, service level agreements, warranties, and contractual protections on behalf of Disney Cruise Line.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers and industry partners to support innovation, performance improvement, and long-term value creation.
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders to understand business objectives, operational requirements, future demand forecasts, and emerging needs.
• Support the Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing in the development and execution of long-term sourcing and procurement strategies across Disney Cruise Line.
• Assist in the training, coaching, and professional development of Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, and Expediting Cast Members.
• Promote sourcing best practices, continuous improvement, compliance with procurement policies, and adherence to contracting standards.
• Act as a trusted business advisor and strategic partner to stakeholders across Disney Cruise Line, providing guidance on sourcing, procurement, contracting, supply chain, and supplier management matters.

Skills

Strategic sourcing leadership

Procurement strategy

Negotiation

Supply chain management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field

Job description

Disney Cruise Line is seeking a Manager, Strategic Sourcing to lead Expediting and a category portfolio across the fleet. You will oversee a team of six Expeditors, drive process improvements, and optimize end-to-end procurement and delivery for Disney’s ships.

This role requires strong strategic sourcing and supply chain expertise and the ability to influence stakeholders across a dynamic organization. The position emphasizes developing long-term sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts,