Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications.
Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
• As Purchasing Manager Land Operations, you will stand at the heart of our Land Operations Department, playing a vital role in how exceptional journeys are operated across Europe.
• This is a role for a sharp-minded dealmaker and relationship builder—someone who thrives on ownership, loves using data to create valuable insights, and wants to leave a clear mark on a fast-growing, premium travel brand.
• You will help secure, manage, and elevate the land-based services that define the Viking guest experience—hotels, excursions, and contingency programs—ensuring quality, reliability, and value at every step.
• You will join a team of six professionals and work hand-in-hand with stakeholders across Viking.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Scouting, evaluating, and onboarding top-tier suppliers and partners across Europe
• Leading negotiations and helping shape commercial and contractual agreements
• Building strong, long-lasting supplier relationships—with occasional short-notice travel when adventure calls
• Coordinating and contracting all land-based services supporting our river fleet
• Monitoring supplier performance, with a sharp eye on service quality and consistency
• Creating and evolving powerful reports, analytics, and management dashboards using Excel, Power BI, and PowerPoint
• Leveraging Power BI and Power Automate to drive transparency, automation, and smarter processes
• Identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement—and taking the lead to fix them
• Preparing compelling statistics, reports, and presentations for stakeholders and leadership
• Representing Purchasing Land Operations confidently in internal meetings and performance discussions
• Supporting the ongoing standardization and professionalization of purchasing processes as Viking continues to grow
• Taking full ownership of your development, continuously sharpening your skills and expanding your responsibilities
• Supporting emergency and contingency hotel procurement (including F&B) during unforeseen operational disruptions such as floods or low-water events
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in river cruising or travel is an advantage—but ambition and capability matter most
• Analytically strong, with a talent for turning complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Energized by change and growth in a dynamic environment
• A true self-starter: proactive, curious, and unafraid to challenge the status quo
• Confident with MS365—especially SharePoint, Excel Online, and PowerPoint
• Interested in (or already using) Power BI and Power Automate, with a drive to deepen your expertise
• Experience with procurement systems such as MXP is a plus
• Fluent in English; German and/or French are a strong advantage
• Structured, dependable, and detail-oriented—even under pressure
• A clear communicator with a collaborative, personable style
• Motivated to grow into a more senior role and expand your leadership impact over time
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
• Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours
HOW TO APPLY