Global Tailormade Product Specialist

Abercrombie & Kent Europe; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel discounts

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Abercrombie & Kent is seeking a Global Tailormade Product Specialist to support the product team in developing Tailormade travel products and itineraries, and to analyze data from internal and external sources. You will collaborate with marketing and sales for regional product positioning and provide administrative support to the Global Tailormade Product Manager.

The role requires working with multiple stakeholders, vendors, and DMCs, with a focus on creating compelling routings and pricing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of proven experience in product administration in the travel and/or hospitality industries.
• Proven experience in product development, tour construction, operations, costing.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and administrative support to the Tailormade Product Manager.
• Conduct Tailormade product research, design, development and pricing to ensure profitability and quality.
• Assist in designing Tailormade routings highlighting hotspots, accommodations, experiences and inclusions.
• Provide active support for Tailormade sales teams across assigned region(s).
• Keep up to date on country trends and new product developments.
• Collaborate with DMC offices and vendors to develop Insider Access and A&K Exclusive products.
• Utilize reports to analyze bookings, conversion and revenue for the assigned region(s).
• Support product launches and ensure accurate market positioning.

Skills

Team player

Adaptability

Communication

World geography

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

2 years travel/hospitality product experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary: The Global Tailormade Product Specialist supports the product team's work to meet AKTG’s overall strategic and commercial goals for Tailormade Travel. The Global Tailormade Product Specialist supports the development of Tailormade products and itineraries, provides data analysis using both internal and external sources and offers support to the marketing and sales teams for products in a specific assigned region(s). In addition, the Specialist provides administrative support to the Global Tailormade Product Manager in all assigned tasks.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Provide operational and administrative support to their Tailormade Product Manager
• Conduct Tailormade product research, design, development and pricing to ensure appropriate product positioning, profitability and quality as directed
• Assist in the design of Tailormade routings that showcase the most important hot spots and best accommodations, experiences and inclusions for a given region
• Provide active support for the Tailormade sales teams covering the assigned region(s), maintaining open communication through internal channels such as Teams and email
• Keep up to date on all country trends and new product developments
• As requested, create Tailormade routings around specific themes such as culinary, active, family or wildlife
• Assist in facilitating vendor relationships through communication, site visits, product immersion trips, and Planning Meetings as needed
• Collaborate with local DMC offices to help develop Insider Access and A&K Exclusive products which are specific to the destination
• Support Tailormade journey product standards and work with A&K DMCs and third-party vendors to ensure standards are understood and met
• Utilize and/or create reports to analyze relevant trends in bookings, conversion and revenue for the assigned region(s)
• Provide competitive analysis to support the design, development and pricing of Tailormade itineraries and services
• Assist with analyzing and negotiating itemized costs with DMCs and vendors to ensure A&K is purchasing at competitive rates
• Develop supporting resources for Tailormade routings and other Tailormade products, inclusive of pricing and operational details as appropriate
• Work in partnership with Marketing in order to be on time and accurate with Product Launch deliverables and ensure products are accurately positioned in the market
• Review and edit all deliverables such as emails, brochures, print pieces, system content and web site as directed
• Maintain detailed product information and pricing for Tailormade
• Enhancements for Tailormade routings including cheat sheets and supporting sales tools
• Support the product manager on trainings for new and updated Tailormade routings for the global Tailormade sales teams, as requested
• Work within the OneIS system to create and maintain content as needed
• Monitor post-travel quality surveys and raise issues and recommendations to the Global Tailormade Product Manager
• Provide support for Outside Sales globally for questions and concerns related to Tailormade products
• Facilitate DMC and supplier training sessions as the need arises
• Assist in the creation of product memos for Tailormade products
• Provide back-up support when the Tailormade Product Manager is traveling
• Assist in maintaining internal information related to visa, entry and health requirements for the countries in the assigned region(s)
• Other support tasks and projects as directed by the Tailormade Product Manager or department leadership

Skills and Abilities

• Strong team player who thrives with new challenges and champions’ change
• Demonstrated adaptability, initiative, and a collaborative perspective
• Skilled in verbal and written communication, problem solving, workload management
• Strong knowledge of world geography
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications

Education and Additional Experience

Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Two years of proven experience in product administration in the travel and/or hospitality industries

Proven experience in product development, tour construction, operations, costing

Special Requirements

Hybrid position based in A&K USA’s Downer Grove, IL office, with an expectation of working onsite at least four days per week. Must maintain a valid passport Attendance at after-hours meetings, trade functions and site inspections Must be comfortable and have flexibility for working in a global team across multiple time zones Ability to travel and sometimes with minimal notice

Salary Range

Salary Range $55,00-$60,000; position is bonus eligible

Benefits

• A&K offers a large portfolio of competitive benefits to all eligible, full-time employees. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee, such as group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and travel discounts through use of an IATAN Travel Professional card.
• Other elective benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, supplemental life insurance, pre-tax healthcare and dependent FSAs, and a 401(k) plan with generous company match.

EEO Statement

Abercrombie & Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. A&K Travel Group is a global lifestyle and travel company that sets the standard for refined and personalized travel experiences. Abercrombie & Kent is an international travel company, renowned for creating thrilling, innovative and ultra-luxurious journeys all over the world. Behind every A&K journey is an international support system of more than 2,500 staff, in 60 offices, in 35 countries, on all seven continents