Kenneth Charles

Experience

• 

  PWC

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1993

  Senior Auditor

  Specialized in audits of banks, insurance companies, and other corporate entities.

• 

  Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

  Jan 1993 - Jan 2008

  Managed team of 14 for the $18.1B cruise line. Accountable for global sourcing for operational supplies, furniture fixtures and equipment for new construction and refurbishment projects. Designed and implemented a total cost reduction strategy. Negotiated contracts, established master purchasing agreements and created strategic partnerships with domestic and international suppliers that resulted in savings of $1 million over 2 years. Hired, trained and supervised a team of up to 100 individuals. Monitored work in progress and reassigned staff, as needed. Implemented and maintained a tracking system of incoming work and outgoing projects aimed at simplifying the overall process and improving job performance. Reported to senior leadership regarding asset utilization and audit results, and made recommendations for operations and financial activities. Analyzed data for deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, and non-compliance with laws, regulations, and company policies.

  • Senior Purchasing Manager, New Build & Refurbishment Projects

    Jan 2002 - Jan 2008

  • Manager, Corporate and Refurbishing Purchasing

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  • Manager Group Reservations

    Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

  • Manager Internal Audit

    Jan 1993 - Jan 1997
• 

  Norwegian Cruise Line

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2015

  Director, Newbuild & Hotel Purchasing

  Lead the global sourcing for all operational and new-build owner’s supply as well as corporate projects for this $12.4B cruise line operating 21 vessels across 3 brands. Extensive management experience directing staff members and leveraging expertise to consolidate and drive product consistency across multiple vessels while reducing costs.

• 

  Universal Parks & Resorts

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  Director, Technology Purchasing

  Lead the strategic sourcing for all technology for all parks. Directing a team of purchasing managers focused on implementing streamlined processes and strategic negotiations. Lead the out-sourcing initiative for the application management services, project management tool, mobile applications, supplemental staffing and software maintenance agreements.

• 

  Virgin Voyages

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Director, Purchasing & Logistics

  Lead the strategic sourcing of start up operations for new cruise company.

• 

  Lennar

  Jan 2018 - Jun 2022

  Head of Technology Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management

  Responsible for strategic sourcing and procurement for all IT projects. Focused on large enterprise software packages, in addition to strategic project initiatives. Achieved over $6.3million in savings in the last 12 months. Manage a team of 6, consisting of buyers, category managers, and a contract manager.