Reservations & Operations Manager

Kendrick Recruitment; Eersterivier; On-site; ZAR 781,000 - 893,000; Full time

Job summary

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced Reservations & Operations Manager to join a Cape Town based travel company, with possible Johannesburg location. The role requires hands-on hospitality and travel expertise, strong operational leadership and excellent reservations knowledge.

You will oversee busy travel operations and lead a reservations team to deliver seamless service. This opportunity offers a challenging, hands-on leadership role within a growing travel business, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Experience managing travel reservations and operations.
• Strong leadership and organisational abilities.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily reservations and operational functions of the business.
• Lead, manage and support the reservations team, ensuring efficient workflows and excellent service delivery.
• Manage booking processes, supplier relationships and client communications.
• Ensure all reservations are handled accurately and within required timeframes.
• Develop and implement operational procedures to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Monitor team performance, resolve operational challenges and maintain service standards.
• Work closely with management and other departments to ensure seamless coordination.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and overall business performance.
• Manage escalated client queries and ensure professional resolution.

Skills

Reservations management

Team leadership

Operational oversight

Hospitality travel knowledge

Communication skills

Process improvement

Tools

Booking systems

Job description

Reservations & Operations Manager | Cape Town / Johannesburg | Travel Company

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced and highly organised Reservations & Operations Manager to join an established travel company, based in Cape Town, with the possibility of Johannesburg. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on hospitality and travel professional with strong operational leadership skills, excellent reservations knowledge and the ability to oversee the smooth running of a busy travel operation.

Salary: R70,000 - R80,000 CTC per month

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee the daily reservations and operational functions of the business.

Lead, manage and support the reservations team, ensuring efficient workflows and excellent service delivery.

Manage booking processes, supplier relationships and client communications.

Ensure all reservations are handled accurately and within required timeframes.

Develop and implement operational procedures to improve efficiency and productivity.

Monitor team performance, resolve operational challenges and maintain service standards.

Work closely with management and other departments to ensure seamless coordination.

Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and overall business performance.

Manage escalated client queries and ensure professional resolution.

Requirements:

Previous management experience within the travel or tourism industry.

Strong knowledge of reservations processes and travel operations.

Proven experience leading and managing a team.

Excellent organisational, administrative and problem-solving skills.

Strong understanding of booking systems and operational procedures.

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

A proactive, solutions‑driven approach with exceptional attention to detail.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced travel professional to take ownership of a key operational role within a growing travel business.