Head Of Product

Phoenix Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a senior role focused on product strategy and execution within the travel sector. Responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams, overseeing product lifecycle, and managing supplier partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product management, at least 5 years in a senior role, and an understanding of Southern African travel products. This position offers an opportunity to shape impactful product strategies and enhance team performance.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years experience in senior product or commercial roles within a DMC or similar.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of Southern African travel products.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the product strategy in line with company goals.
• Oversee teams execution of full product lifecycle.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Product Management and Systems teams.

Skills

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Product & Commercial Acumen

Systems & Process Optimisation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Market & Trend Analysis

Supplier Partnership Management

Customer-Centric Thinking

Influencing & Negotiation Skills

Education

Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism or related field

Tools

Tourplan

Job description

Duties

• Product Vision & Strategic Direction: Define and execute the product strategy in line with company goals, contracted agents and source market priorities.
• Translate market trends and client insights, with the support of the team, into innovative product concepts and enhancements.
• Oversee the teams execution of full product lifecycle, from ideation with agents, through launch, audit procedures, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and analyse product and sales performance, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Leadership & Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop the Product Management and Systems teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Foster a proactive, commercially minded culture within the Product team, encouraging active participation in sales discussions and product positioning.
• Set clear objectives, priorities and KPIs for both teams.
• Promote collaboration between product, reservations, operations, marketing and systems functions.
• Ensure both teams are aligned to strategic business goals and deliver measurable value.
• Commercial Strategy & Supplier Partnerships: Set the overarching commercial framework for supplier contracting rates and overrides.
• Guide product managers in supplier negotiations, ensuring profitability and competitiveness.
• Develop and approve, in collaboration with CEO, key supplier agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee risk management related to supplier agreements and service delivery.
• Systems Team Oversight: Oversee the strategic management of core operational system (Tourplan).
• Ensure systems team optimises to support product delivery, pricing and data accuracy, reporting and client communications.
• Drive system improvements, in collaboration with the CEO and integrations that enhance efficiency and client experience.
• Customer Journey & Sales alignment: Ensure products and systems together deliver a seamless, high-quality client experience.
• Ensure products and systems together with sales / reservations embed client feedback into product and system improvements.
• Act as the strategic link between the customer facing teams, ensuring brand and company goals are achieved.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of competitor offerings, market shifts and source market trends.
• Identify, in collaboration with the team, emerging destinations, experiences and product categories to expand the portfolio.
• Ensure the sales / reservations team has the tools, knowledge and positioning needed to succeed.
• Support business development efforts with market insights and product recommendations.
• Enable and coach the Product team to confidently engage in sales conversations, supporting account growth through effective product storytelling and solution selling.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism or related field.
• At least years experience in senior product or commercial roles within a DMC or similar.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, including product and systems / technology.
• Strong knowledge of Southern African travel products.
• Experience with operational systems relevant to travel product delivery (e.g., Tourplan).
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and operational efficiency through product and systems strategies.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

Key Skills

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Product & Commercial Acumen
• Systems & Process Optimisation
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Market & Trend Analysis
• Supplier Partnership Management
• Customer-Centric Thinking
• Influencing & Negotiation Skills