About the Role
Are you experienced within the Inbound Travel Industry? Are you a natural relationship builder? Based in Kent and looking for a local role? Look no further! We are working with an established leading provider of travel, leisure and hospitality products and services in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, looking for a Product and Contracting Manager to join their team. Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Product & Contracting Manager will be responsible for contracting predominately restaurants and attractions in Ireland, Scotland and the North of England to fulfil Key trade/B2B and B2C demands. A key function of the role is to ensure existing and new supplier relationships are built and maintained to maximise all commercial opportunities.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
* Negotiate competitive rates and conditions for all land services, notably restaurants and attractions.
* Secure contracts with suppliers in line with the purchasing strategy and remit advised from the Commercial Director.
* Product development – source new venues and be proactive in proposing new products appropriate to the various sales channels.
* Provide product updates and presentations of new products or packages to B2B clients.
* Propose, plan and attend business trips and meetings in order to negotiate and renegotiate contracts.
* Ensure existing and new supplier relationships are built and maintained to maximise all commercial opportunities.
* Organise and attend FAM trips; attend key industry events, workshops and networking opportunities where required.
* Travel to key destinations in the UK, particularly Ireland and Scotland and to Northern Europe when required.
* Prepare and analyse statistics via software products to benefit effective negotiations and product analysis for re‑contracting.
* Develop and maintain commercially advantageous business relationships with suppliers.
* Provide the Operations team with product updates and respond to day‑to‑day queries.
* Ensure all contracts are completed accurately and in full with all information being set up in a timely fashion.
* Liaise with all internal departments to ensure all departments are fully up to date (finance, systems, sales & marketing).
* Negotiate added‑value deals, overrides and special offers.
* Constantly challenge yourself to increase product knowledge and identify potential suppliers to support our product offering.
* Investigate and resolve service complaints.
* Ensure high service quality standards are met year on year and promptly deal with queries from colleagues and suppliers.
* Support sales functions with production of quarterly sales material, e‑shots and customer rates sheets.
* Enter contracts into the in‑house HLG database.
Key Skills
* At least 2 years' experience in the travel industry, preferably in a purchasing role within the UK Inbound market.
* Strong commercial acumen, adaptable, reliable and flexible, with a responsible attitude and ability to respond to tight deadlines.
* Excellent negotiation skills.
* Excellent organisational and planning skills.
* Ability to build effective relationships.
* Ability to deal with competing priorities effectively.
* Self‑motivated, good working under pressure.
* Good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills (English).
* Ability to handle multiple projects while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and a "can‑do" attitude.
* Enthusiastic and strong team player.
* Additional languages desirable, particularly German or French.
* Knowledge of UK and Northern European cities.
Compensation & Working Arrangement
* Salary of £29,000 – £30,000.
* Hybrid working.
Throughout the year it will be anticipated that you will spend approximately 50% of your time attending site visits, FAM trips, visiting clients and attending workshops across the UK and Ireland (including travel to Ireland and Scotland approximately 8–10 times a year).
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