Product Manager

SUMMARY:

This business is built, almost entirely, on the strength of remarkable people who give passionately to their roles, work tirelessly, have the guest experience at the core of their focus daily and care of the sustainability of our communities and environment.  Every single employee makes a huge difference to our success and our contribution to the world, regardless of their role or function.  For this reason, we choose our employees very carefully – they are the strength and the future of this company.

A creative, committed, self-motivated, output and deadline driven, proactive, experienced Manager with exceptional management, negotiation, problem-solving and mentoring skills is needed to join the company’s Product Team.  The candidate will be the Product Manager reporting to the Regional Touring Director.  The following are the key requirements (but not limited to) for the position:

POSITION INFO:

KEY OUTPUTS 

• Management, building and mentoring of a strong team of Contracting Managers and Product Developers
• Management and building of relationships with all suppliers
• Management of What we are buying, Who we are buying from, How we are buying, How are we packaging, What we are selling and knowing who are we selling to

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Department Management

• Build, manage, support, mentor and train a strong motivated and deadline driven Product team that delivers without fail which may be geographically dispersed
• Ensure the team works closely with all the departments
• Ensure the team produce a consistent high level of service and product across the board
• Manage all human resources aspects of the team – appraisals, leave, counselling etc.
• Setting, management and achievement of Key Performance Indictors for the team as per company goals

Selling Tools

• To ensure the production of the company’s selling tools such as compelling packages, website touring content, brochure content (i.e. Discover Africa), approved supplier lists, logistic documents, special offers documents, Wetu content etc.
• Post-production – constant maintenance, change and amendments to ensure we remain ahead
• The production, writing and maintenance of Tourplan per service line itinerary text for Digital itinerary use
• The production, writing and maintenance of all itinerary support documentation
• Ensure that Approved Supplier information and content is fully up to date, relooked often and maintained
• Ensure that all relevant and correct content and rates reaches our rates team for loading
• Ensure that team maintain updated databases of supplier information
• Creation and maintenance of WETU, Smartbox sales and travel documentation and automation of outputs

Rate and supplier negotiations

• Ensure that all rate negotiations proceed to procure better rates to increase turnover, margins and competitiveness
• Ensure negotiation of special offers, value ads
• Manage and procure from suppliers incentives and kickbacks in line with the rate strategy to ensure additional revenue for the company
• Ensure we have the best rates relative to the amount of business provide our suppliers
• Ensure that the company keeps updated info on all terms and conditions of our approved suppliers
• Ensure that relevant negotiations take into consideration and minimise the potential risks on the company as a result of contracting with 3rd parties
• Ensure we have all the relevant and updated “In the Know” information on our approved suppliers at all times
• Ensure the negotiating of all third party associations with the company’s lodges such as vehicle transfer rates, regional charter flights, additional activities etc.
• Drive suppliers to increase content rating percentages on Wetu and engage to get paid listings

Sourcing New Product

• Continuously drive the finding and development of compelling new product, experiences and packages
• Proactively and continuously stay updated on product in all regions
• Maintain good relationships with product owners – approved or not
• Travel to stay in touch with product and regions

Product Updates / Travel Updates

• Ensure we are communicating all necessary information relating to our approved suppliers
• Internal: Ensure we are communicating this information effectively
• External: Ensure marketing has the correct information on time to communicate externally

Guest Feedback

• Stay informed of all guest and agent feedback and in conjunction with the Reservations Managers and/or Touring Director – address any complaints
• Watch trends and reoccurring incidents and complaints and deal with them proactively

Trade Shows and Workshops

• Attendance of applicable trade shows as identified as beneficial to the company in conjunction with Regional Touring Director
• Regular attendance of workshops and supplier functions

Product Analysis and Reporting

• Manage and analysis of approved supplier statistic – revenues and profit margins
• Monthly reports to Touring Director covering key aspects of the developments in that month
• Compilation of product report for quarterly board report for Touring Director
• Execute a detailed company lodge competitors’ analysis which forms key in the company’s rate setting

Training and Human Resources Development

• Ensure the delivery of training material and maintain consultant training manuals
• Create, execute and manage an annual 60 seat educational training program for the company’s revenue generating teams
• Ensure the implementation of an annual 160 slot 3rd party supplier training program for the company’s revenue generating teams

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED 

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the intricate operations, running and management of a large Destination Management Company (Tour Operator)
• In-depth knowledge of the destinations that the company promotes – 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

SKILLS REQUIRED 

• 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

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED 

• Minimum 10 years’ experience gained in a Product and/or Tour Operating environment which would need to include management and in-depth touring experience

So, in a nutshell, this person should be deadline driven, persistent, output focussed with the ability to identify the bigger picture, enquiring, proactive, have attention to detail and the ability to cope with pressure.  Strong management and negotiation skills on all levels is absolutely key to your success in this position.

If you would like to apply for this position, please email your latest CV and motivation to --------Please upload your CV here-------->

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