Director of Technical Procurement & Supply Chain

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

 

Lindblad Expeditions is seeking a dynamic Director of Technical Procurement & Supply Chain to lead our end-to-end technical supply chain operations for the Cruise Division. This leader will oversee demand and supply planning, strategic sourcing, procurement operations, and close collaboration with Logistics to ensure the reliable delivery of critical marine and technical components.

This role is responsible for developing the sourcing strategy for over $40M in annual Opex and Capex technical spend while ensuring operational excellence across planning, procurement, supplier management, and service performance. The Director will work closely with Technical/Marine Operations, superintendents, and shipboard engineering teams to support safe, reliable, and efficient vessel operations

 

 

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

·       Develop and execute sourcing strategies for more than $40M of technical Opex and Capex spend, including alignment with Global Procurement Organizations (GPOs).

·       Drive value through competitive bidding, negotiations, supplier development, and cost-optimization initiatives.

·       Simplify the technical supplier base to improve service levels and reduce total cost of ownership.

·       Manage procurement of selected technical components for new builds, major refits, and dry docks.

 

Operational Procurement Leadership

·       Lead and mentor a team of procurement managers, expeditors, and invoice clerks.

·       Oversee purchase order execution, fulfillment, delivery, and issue resolution.

·       Standardize and streamline processes.

·       Partner with Logistics to ensure timely, cost-effective global distribution to vessels and shipyards.

 

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

·       Build strong internal partnerships with Technical/Marine Operations, superintendents, and shipboard chief engineers.

·       Cultivate strategic relationships with key external suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

 

Planning & Inventory Management

·       Strengthen planning processes including demand forecasting, preventive maintenance planning, shipyard planning, and inventory management.

·       Support long-term spare parts strategies and fleetwide standardization.

 

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

·       Establish, track, and analyze KPIs for service performance, inventory management, cost innovation, and lead times.

·       Drive process improvements in procurement, planning, and systems usage.

·       Collaborate with Technical Operations to define systems infrastructure and a digital improvement roadmap.

 

·       Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field; Master’s preferred.

·       10+ years of experience in supply chain or technical procurement; maritime or cruise experience preferred.

·       Proven leadership experience overseeing procurement or supply chain teams.

·       Strong knowledge of marine technical components and global supply markets.

·       Experience with ERP/EAM systems supporting procurement, inventory, and maintenance.

·       Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

·       Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

 

Applicants are expected to work well in a high-paced, team-oriented environment. Proficient computer skills in the Windows operating system, including both word-processing and spreadsheet applications, are required. Strong skills in time management, handling multiple tasks, setting priorities, meeting deadlines and working independently are essential. Knowledge of NSE is a plus.

 

·       Location is Seattle based. 

·       Hybrid environment with the expectation to be in the office Tuesday-Thursday

·       Travel expected at less than 25%.