Africa Product Manager – Luxury Holidays – £36k -£42k

Recruitment Avenue; London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits for a skilled Africa Product Manager in the luxury travel sector. This role involves overseeing the commercial success of the Africa programme, requiring a blend of negotiation skills, market analysis, and a passion for travel. You'll be responsible for sourcing top-tier suppliers, ensuring product quality, and crafting compelling itineraries for discerning clients. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and have a deep understanding of luxury travel, this position offers a chance to make a significant impact. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to providing unforgettable travel experiences and grow your career in an engaging and supportive atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience in costing and planning group tours is essential.
• Proven ability to negotiate with suppliers and manage profitability.

Responsibilities

• Manage the commercial performance of the Africa programme.
• Source and ensure quality from overseas suppliers for luxury travel.

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Market Analysis

Data Analysis

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Financial Acumen

Customer Service

Tools

Excel

Word

Tour Operator System (Galileo preferred)

Job description

Job Title – Africa Product Manager – Luxury Holidays

Department/Sector – Travel

Job Location – London

Salary – £36k -£42k

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Africa product manager. To apply for the role, you must have experience in costing and planning group tours.

In this role, you will be responsible for the commercial and operational success of the Africa programme. You will need to identify areas for ongoing growth based on client research, market analysis, and sales/cost projections.

You must source the most suitable overseas suppliers and ensure the quality of the product is of the requisite high standard due to our client being a luxury travel company.

In this role, you will visit key destinations and suppliers to determine the destinations, itineraries, and content for the annual brochure and website.

You must have experience in negotiation, contract rates, and services with suppliers.

Responsibilities:

• Cost the programme, assist in sourcing and selecting images, and write product copy.
• Ensure air and ground allocations are requested, confirmed, and loaded on the reservations system.
• Manage and monitor the commercial performance of the product ensuring pricing is competitive and meets business requirements.
• Train Sales Consultants and, in conjunction with the Senior Sales Manager, plan educational visits to ensure comprehensive product knowledge.
• Ensure system product information is uploaded, accurate, and up to date.
• Monitor the Foreign Office Advice and take any required action.
• Assist the Customer Services department in the event of any feedback arising from the tours.
• Provide effective product feedback to the Senior Product Manager and other directors, managers, and staff as required.
• Liaise with the Marketing department to assist with the promotion of the product.
• Handle the emergency mobile phone on a rota basis.
• Report line to the Senior Manager – Product.

Key Skills/Experience Needed:

• Well-travelled in Africa with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the luxury and cultural travel market.
• Experience in planning, contracting, and costing a programme of tours.
• Results-driven with the ability to identify appropriate products to support ongoing growth.
• Experience in managing the profitability of a programme.
• Experience in organising and managing group and private travel.
• Organised, process-driven, and able to work to deadlines.
• Highly numerate, with an ability to gather, analyse, and interpret data.
• Articulate with a high standard of written English and attention to detail.
• Computer literate, with thorough knowledge of Excel and Word and previous experience of a tour operator system.
• Proactive with an ability to show strategic skills, use initiative, and work independently.
• Proven ability to negotiate with outside suppliers and organizations.
• Experience of working within a team and dealing with the needs of different departments.
• Experience of CRS (Galileo preferred).