Overview
Are you a travel industry graduate or have you worked in travel for a number of years and aspire to work in contracting? This role could be your next career move.
A market leader, established in 1990, Hospitality Line’s business success has been built on the highest possible level of attention to detail and the sound understanding of the needs and aspirations of our customers and suppliers.
We are now looking for a trainee / graduate Contracting Manager to join our team reporting to the Commercial Director. In this role you will have the opportunity to develop your commercial & negotiation skills working within the UK Inbound travel industry. This position will offer an introduction to the contracting of attractions & restaurants, therefore the successful applicant would ideally have strong negotiation skills and be comfortable in developing and maintaining supplier relationships.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Negotiate competitive rates and conditions for all land services notably restaurants & 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
- To 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 maximize all commercial opportunities.
- Organise and attend FAM trips. Attend key industry events, workshops and networking opportunities where required. These may be daytime or evening events.
- Ability to 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
- To develop and maintain commercially advantageous business relationships with our 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
- To liaise with all internal departments to ensure all departments are fully up to date these include, finance, systems, sales & marketing.
- Negotiate added-value deals, overrides and special offers
- Constantly challenging yourself to increase product knowledge and identifying potential suppliers to support our product offering.
- Investigate and resolve service complaints
- Ensure high service quality standards are met year on year and to promptly deal with queries from colleagues and suppliers
- Entering contracts into the in house HLG database
Key Skills
- Graduate in tourism related subject or at least 12 months experience in the travel industry
- Confident and passionate about learning and succeeding in the role
- The applicant needs to have strong commercial acumen, be adaptable, reliable and flexible, with a responsible attitude and possess the ability to respond to tight deadlines.
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- The ability to build effective relationships
- The ability to deal with competing priorities effectively
- Self-motivated and good working under pressure.
- An good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Strong written and verbal communication skills (English)
- The ability to handle multiple projects, whilst maintaining meticulous attention to detail and a “can do attitude”.
- An enthusiastic and strong team player
- Additional languages desirable particularly German or French as is a knowledge of UK.
- Desirable - Previous experience in a UK travel industry and of the UK inbound market.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone to develop or start their career in the travel industry.
Requirements
You will be required to travel to Ireland & Scotland approximately 8-10 times per year plus additional ad hoc travel to other destinations in the UK & Northern Europe.
Hybrid role with 2 days in the office per week when not travelling.
Must have own car and driving licence.
Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
Experience:
- Travel & Tourism experience or a qualification in this area: 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gravesend DA11 8HJ
