Luxury Travel Contracting Manager – Cape Town

DataTech Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

DataTech Recruitment in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Travel Contracting Manager for a luxury DMC. You will strengthen supplier networks, negotiate rates, benefits, and bednight commitments, and ensure commercial agreements support exceptional African travel experiences.

This hands-on role requires DMC and tourism knowledge, supplier relationship management, and the ability to analyse data to improve contracting performance.

Qualifications

• Based in Cape Town and eligible to work locally.
• Degree or Diploma in Tourism, Commerce, Contracting, or related field.
• 3–5 years in procurement, contracting or supplier management within a DMC environment.
• Strong knowledge of the tourism industry and supplier contracting process.
• Experience with hotels, lodges, transport providers or similar travel partners.
• Experience using a travel booking system.
• Strong commercial understanding, including rates, margins, supplier performance and profitability.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the confidence to secure favorable agreements.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with data and systems.
• Interest in applying AI and automation to improve contracting efficiency.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Ability to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple contracts and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with hotels, lodges, transport providers, and other suppliers.
• Negotiate competitive rates, exclusive benefits, and favourable terms.
• Manage contracts from negotiation through implementation with Rates Team alignment.
• Negotiate overrides, bednight commitments, and other opportunities to boost revenue.
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier terms, product competitiveness, and performance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure contracts support business priorities and guest experiences.
• Monitor supplier performance, contract outcomes, and commitments.
• Analyse data and provide recommendations to improve supplier and contract performance.
• Leverage travel systems, data, AI, and automation to streamline contracting.
• Maintain trusted relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship mgmt

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Influence stakeholders

Procurement experience

DMC knowledge

AI & automation interest

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree or Diploma in Tourism, Commerce, Contracting, or related field

Tools

Travel booking system

Data systems / AI tools

Job description

DataTech Recruitment in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Travel Contracting Manager for a luxury DMC. You will strengthen supplier networks, negotiate rates, benefits, and bednight commitments, and ensure commercial agreements support exceptional African travel experiences.

This hands-on role requires DMC and tourism knowledge, supplier relationship management, and the ability to analyse data to improve contracting performance.