Senior Specialist, Supply Chain

The Supply Chain Senior Specialist is responsible for supporting inventory planning, forecasting, and allocation across Carnival’s shipboard retail operations, shore-based warehouses, and eCommerce platforms. This role applies judgment within established frameworks to manage inventory levels, replenishment strategies, and allocation decisions in support of product availability, aged stock reduction, cost control, and retail revenue optimization. The position partners closely with vendors, warehouse operations, shipboard retail teams, and internal stakeholders to support inventory efficiency and operational alignment. Highly analytical and operationally focused, the role contributes to retail performance and continuous improvement across the fleet. Essential Functions Planning / Inventory Management: Supports inventory planning, forecasting, and allocation activities across shipboard retail locations, shore-based warehouses, Celebration Key, and eCommerce platforms to maintain product availability aligned with demand. Applies judgment within established frameworks to manage inventory levels, replenishment strategies, and allocation decisions in support of business and operational objectives. Partners with vendors and warehouse teams to facilitate timely delivery of new items and reorders, while monitoring inventory performance including stock levels, aging, transfers, and receipts of goods. Analyzes inventory trends and performance to recommend and support promotional strategies for slow-moving items and collaborates cross-functionally to identify opportunities that improve sales, inventory turn, and overall stock optimization. Reporting / Analysis: Supports the development, automation, and ongoing enhancement of inventory and sales reporting across systems including Excel, Tableau, Hyperion, Shopify, and related platforms. Analytical skills and judgment apply within established guidelines to assess sell-through performance, demand patterns, and aging inventory, generating insights that support reduction of excess inventory and improvement of inventory turns. Collaborates with Merchandising, Analytics, and leadership teams to support the evolution of performance analytics, identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes, and enhance data visibility. Utilizes multiple data sources and tools to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in supply chain and retail performance. Buying / Purchasing & Planning: Supports purchasing and inventory planning activities by developing and recommending buys aligned with business demand, sales performance, and inventory strategy to support revenue and cost objectives. Applies judgment within established guidelines in forecasting demand and supporting replenishment strategies, including placing reorders at a regular cadence across programs and channels. Coordinates vendor-related activities, including supporting vendor onboarding, maintaining vendor records, and assisting in the resolution of vendor-related issues to ensure continuity of supply. Supports purchase order management and execution to ensure accuracy and alignment with inventory needs. Provides insights and feedback to cross-functional teams regarding supply chain performance, inventory demand, and purchasing opportunities. Supply Chain Efficiencies & Retail Operations: Supports initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency and retail operations by partnering with Performance Analytics, IT, Supply Chain, Logistics, Warehouse, and Finance teams to identify and implement process improvements. Applies judgment within established frameworks when evaluating inventory workflows, re-order systems, and PAR level strategies to support effective inventory positioning across operations. Supports inventory control activities, including audits and cycle counts across warehouse and fleet operations, to improve accuracy and reduce variances. Assists in purchase order execution to support timely and accurate delivery of merchandise aligned with inventory needs. Collaborates with supply chain partners to support the implementation of process improvements that enhance merchandise flow and operational effectiveness. Identifies opportunities related to shipping, freight, sourcing, and warehousing to support continuous improvement. Administrative Support: Provides operational support across inventory and retail workflows, ensuring alignment of inventory needs across shipboard operations, Retail Account Managers (RAMs), Retail Cares, and multiple sales channels. Reviews and processes merchandise and retail supply invoices to ensure accuracy and alignment with purchasing and inventory activity. Coordinates inventory requirements across departments to support product availability and execution across channels, while participating in vendor interactions, including meetings and planning discussions. Supports vendor planning, product development, and negotiation activities by providing inventory and operational insights. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Scope: Supports inventory planning and supply chain processes within assigned areas across shipboard retail operations and supporting channels. Works collaboratively with shoreside and shipboard partners to support execution of inventory strategies, operational alignment, and product availability. Applies judgment within established frameworks to monitor performance, address inventory challenges, and support ongoing improvements in supply chain and retail operations. Problem Solving: Applies analytical thinking and judgment within established frameworks to identify, assess, and resolve inventory and supply chain challenges impacting retail performance. Evaluates data and trends to support decision-making and recommends solutions to address operational issues. Anticipates potential challenges by analyzing demand drivers and operational factors, supporting the development of practical, data-driven approaches to improve efficiency and performance. Impact: Supports inventory planning, purchasing, and replenishment decisions by applying independent judgment and data analysis to improve inventory performance, product availability, and cost efficiency. Contributes to retail outcomes through ongoing evaluation of inventory trends and proactive identification of opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness. Leadership: Collaborates with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across shipboard and shoreside operations to support inventory planning, supply chain processes, and retail execution. Builds effective working relationships to ensure alignment, facilitate communication, and support the implementation of process improvements and operational initiatives. Essential/Minimum qualifications Bachelor's Degree (Required) Discipline: Supply Chain, Business Development, Commerce, Merchandising, International Business, Marketing, Administration, Computing, Product Development, or Buying/Purchasing 4+ years of experience in inventory planning, forecasting, retail planning, or supply chain operations (Required) Essential experience required Knowledge & Technical Skills: Advanced Excel proficiency (pivot tables, dashboards, charts) Experience with inventory management and forecasting systems Ability to analyze costs, margins, pricing, and inventory performance Proficiency with reporting and analytics tools (Tableau, Hyperion, Shopify, or similar) Core Competencies: Strong analytical and forecasting capabilities with attention to detail Solid understanding of supply chain fundamentals, including logistics and Incoterms Vendor management and negotiation skills Strong organizational and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment Clear and effective communication with both shipboard and shoreside partners Strong written and verbal communication skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AI tools (including Copilot) Travel Less than 25% with shipboard 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. Job Location & Schedule 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. Benefits 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 Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Carnival Corporation & plc 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES