WILBERT GAVHURE
Bulawayo,Zimbabwe
Summary
A results-oriented Maritime Finance Executive with over a decade of leadership experience aboard world-class vessels for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line. A unique strategic profile combining a Master’s in Financial Economics with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. Expert at navigating the intersection of financial rigor and operational complexity. Proven success in managing multi-million dollar inventory, stock and cash holdings, optimizing large-scale supply chains via CrunchTime and MXP, and leading diverse, multi-cultural teams through complex dry-docks and high-occupancy seasons. Dedicated to driving revenue growth while maintaining ironclad audit compliance and operational efficiency.
Finance professional with proven track record in financial analysis, strategic planning, and risk management. Adept at leading cross-functional teams to drive operational efficiency and profitability. Strong communication and leadership skills ensure adaptability to changing environments and reliable performance under pressure. Skilled in budget management, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Princess Cruise Line
United States Of Amercia
10.2024 - 02.2026
- Financial Governance: Directed all shipboard accounting functions, providing total oversight for cash accounts, guest folios, and payment vouchers.
- Budgetary Leadership: Chaired weekly General Manager budget meetings, providing data-driven insights to ensure all departments remained within 1% of set financial targets.
- Inventory audit and variance analysis for Hotel Stores, Food and Bar Stock
- Revenue and Cost Control
- Treasury & Cash Flow: Managed ship’s fund liquidity, including ATM replenishment, cash ordering, and high-volume currency reconciliations for vessels with 5 000 guests.
- Overseeing cash accountability and overall vessel funding
- Monitoring weekly and monthly Inventory Levels and ROB - stock remaining onboard.
- Revenue Optimization: Collaborated with Casino, Spa, and Retail managers to analyze real-time performance data, identifying and correcting revenue "leaks" and inventory variances.
- Audit Excellence: Executed daily and voyage-end audits (PMS vs. POS) ensuring 100% accuracy in financial statements submitted to the corporate office.
- Strategic Team Mentorship: Led a specialized finance team, utilizing past methodologies to enhance productivity and reduce turnover within the department.
HOTEL CONTROLLER
Princess Cruise Line
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Supply Chain Quality Assurance: Directly supervised pier-side loading and storeroom distribution, implementing strict quality checks to minimize transit damage and spoilage.
- Inventory Lifecycle Management: Maintained the MXP purchasing system integrity, processing monthly closings and generating actionable variance reports for the Hotel Manager.
- Oversee crew administration and crew manager operations, validity of contracts, sign on procedures, reimbursements of experience.
- Custodian and monitoring of all crew accounts - final approver of expenses in ERP for all ship expenses
- Ensure all Food and Beverage outlets follows laid down protocols for inventory, stock rotation, process flows, thawing of meats and USPH protocols.
- Compliance Auditing: Conducted unannounced internal audits of cash controls and safe counts for the Finance and Crew Manager offices, ensuring strict adherence to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) style standards.
- Immigration & Logistics: Managed the sensitive processing of passports and Australian/International visas for a multinational crew, ensuring 100% port-entry compliance.
HOTEL INVENTORY MANAGER
Carnival Cruise Line
04.2020 - 05.2022
- Procurement Strategy: Orchestrated the master order submission process for Food, Bar, and Hotel stores using usage trends and historical data
- CrunchTime, maintaining optimal par levels based on guest demographics and itinerary length.
- Variance Investigation: Conducted deep-dive physical inventory counts and forensic audits of stock variances, reducing "unaccounted loss"
- Loading of all stock received in Crunch Time, discrepancy reports, loading reports for ultimate final vendor payment.
- Inventory of all food, beverage, expendable and consumable items conduct monthly inventory check every month in conjunction with the HOD’s.
- Ensure that the loading process is followed and quality assurance in combination with accurate deliveries.
- Lead and support a multi-cultural team, maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity, and retention.
- Operational Planning: Managed the complex logistics for tech-spare parts and hazardous materials, ensuring storage complied with both Environmental and Public Health (USPH/HACCP) standards.
- Vendor Accountability: Analyzed invoice discrepancies and led vendor claim investigations to recover costs on sub-standard or short-delivered goods.
FINANCE SPECIALIST
Carnival Cruise Line
02.2017 - 03.2020
- Revenue Administration: Managed the automated Sail & Sign revenue accounting system, resolving guest billing disputes and ensuring accurate daily postings.
- System Optimization: Acted as the onboard subject matter expert (SME) for financial software, troubleshooting database errors and training junior officers on financial protocols.
- End-of-Voyage Closing: Performed complex voyage-end postings, price fluctuation analysis, and executive reporting to the Corporate Finance team.
COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGER / PRIVATE BANKER
NMB Bank
04.2011 - 01.2017
- Developed foundational expertise in financial risk assessment, private wealth management, and regulatory compliance within a high-tier banking environment.
Education
Master of Science - Financial Economics
National University Of Science And Technology
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe08-2016
Bachelor of Commerce - Finance And Banking
National University Of Science And Technology
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe08-2013
Skills
- Shipboard Systems: CrunchTime (Expert), MXP, Fidelio/Opera, POS/PMS Integration, Silverware
- Advanced Analytics: Financial Forecasting, Variance Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis in Excel
- Certifications: STCW Basic Safety Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, Crowd Management, Security Awareness, Environmental Policy Compliance
- Guest experience management
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Audit coordination
- Financial policy development
- Account analysis
- Cash flow management
- Strategic planning
- Account reconciliation
- Risk management
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial systems implementation
Timeline
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Princess Cruise Line
10.2024 - 02.2026
HOTEL CONTROLLER
Princess Cruise Line
08.2022 - 10.2024
HOTEL INVENTORY MANAGER
Carnival Cruise Line
04.2020 - 05.2022
FINANCE SPECIALIST
Carnival Cruise Line
02.2017 - 03.2020
COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGER / PRIVATE BANKER
NMB Bank
04.2011 - 01.2017
Master of Science - Financial Economics
National University Of Science And Technology
Bachelor of Commerce - Finance And Banking
National University Of Science And Technology
CORE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Financial Stewardship: P&L Management & Forecasting, Revenue & Cost Control, Internal Auditing & Risk, Payroll & Voyage Closing
- Operational Logistics: Inventory Control & Procurement, Supply Chain Quality Assurance, Vendor Liaison & Contract Mgmt, Waste & Spoilage Mitigation
- Strategic Leadership: CIPD Level 7 People Strategy, Conflict Resolution & Mediation, MLC 2006 & Regulatory Support, Performance Coaching & Training