Product Manager

SUMMARY:
Top Destination Management Company (DMC) / Touring Company based in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town is looking for Product Manager.  This role offers flexible working hours / hybrid working.
 
The main purpose of this position is to maintain, develop and discover product offering for FIT, Groups and MICE.  This includes but is not limited to the tailormade and contracted agent’s product shelves. To maintain strong relationships with suppliers and to achieve best rates / conditions and improve and maintain the company’s level of quality services whilst mitigating risk exposure.
 
Develop and ideate product for new and existing clients to increase destination knowledge and support initiatives for the company’s source markets. Support the reservations team with queries generated from new or unassigned agents. Furthermore, communicate product knowledge to agents and inhouse team.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:

Product: Actively research new product as well as demonstrate sound product knowledge of Southern Africa and communicate this knowledge to staff via regular updates. Provide source market intelligence and proactively develop ‘best fit’ product in line with agent market requirements. Establish, maintain and optimize a good relationship with suppliers. Always monitor quality of products and keep up to date with product changes. Ensure competitiveness across source markets and competitors. Support the sales and reservations teams with product requirements and queries. Develop and pro-actively role out up-to-date, relevant, and targeted product training internally (staff) and externally (agents). Research properties and special offers available and negotiate special offers according to market
requirements and provide these to the reservations team. Utilize products in line with the Supplier strategy and availability. Liaise between departments to provide supplier and market intelligence. Quote packages and compile agent and internal FAM itineraries as and when required.

Contracting: Increase profitability. Negotiate, manage, and follow up of rates, overrides & brochure contributions. Secure timely recovery of brochure contributions from suppliers. Conduct robust and regular analysis of existing contracting processes and proactively implement continuous improvement plans. Ensure that any bottlenecks in contracting processes are speedily resolved. Develop appropriate and measurable Service Level Agreements with customers and suppliers. Negotiate with suppliers best possible rates and conditions. Negotiate with suppliers in case of cancellations or when in need of better rates for specific cases. Establish clear targets with suppliers. Support the sales, systems and reservations teams with contracting requirements and queries.

Additional responsibilities: Be aware of our competitors’ products. Travel on educational / familiarization trips and trade shows in Southern Africa. Produce the quality of service as per our Customer Journey strategy. Demonstrate good communication skills and customer care. Constantly promote a positive image of the company internally and externally. Support the decision-making process of management by giving input. Keep all information obtained from management confidential.

Requirements:

Grade 12
Travel & Tourism qualifications
Minimum 10 years’ experience gained in a Product and / or Tour Operating environment which would need to include management and in-depth touring experience.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the intricate operations, running and management of a large Destination Management Company (Tour Operator).
In-depth knowledge – South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar
In-depth understanding of rates, commission structures
In-depth understanding of the travel industry, competitors
Good knowledge of Tourplan and computer literacy is essential
Strong leadership skills
Exceptional people and change management skills
Fast and efficient decision-making skills
Outcome driven negotiation skills
Conflict and resolution management skills
Exceptional attention to detail
Strong project management & administrative skills
Curious, enquiring, eager and creative – have to be able to think outside the box
Ability to handle pressure in an ever challenging, changing and extremely competitive environment
Creative writing skills and an excellent command of the English language