Product Manager (Travel/Tourism), Cape Town

Role Reports to General Manager

A head of department position, with the purpose of enhancing the overall value of the companies by proactive product management.

Group: Product Relationships

• Maintain expert level understanding of the 3, 4 and 5 star Southern and East Africa product offerings and distribute this knowledge to the businesses
• Develop and maintain relationships with key supplier decision makers
• Responsible for signing off of ad-hoc product contracts for utilization by the company not contracted by TSC
• Negotiate and contract all rates and incentives in Tanzania and Kenya
• Negotiate and improve deposit and credit policies
• Engage key suppliers to develop strategic trade deals, value adds and flash sales in line with market trends
• Manage the Preferred Supplier Lists and distribution of information via

Salesforce Groups

• Establish reciprocal agreements with key suppliers where manages onwards travel requests for direct bookers (TBC)
• Manage supplier visits to the offices, and staff attendance
• Manage educational requests and planning in line with the Sales Manager
• Attend events, professional meetings, trade shows and exhibitions as necessary

1: Product System

• Oversee the Tourplan to Salesforce sync, ensuring products and rates are available and correct
• Loading non-TSC product ‘skeleton structures' into Salesforce
• Interface with TravelSmartCrew on Rate database, supplier discussions and Papertrail procedures
• Oversee and manage Webconnect bookings in Tourplan

2: Product System

• Manage and approve loading of rates
• Oversee live API linking and availability into Tourplan

1: Product and Booking Procedures

• Use your EQ to actively make suggestions on product, routing/logistics to consultants on every new Opportunities created in Salesforce
• Approve or Reject Quotations proceeding to a Raised Booking Confirmation stage by ensuring correct deposits have been requested, preferred suppliers used and Gross Profit maximized through booking channel efficiencies (OTA and BAR rates) Note, on an ad-hoc basis this may require attention outside of office hours
• Respond and report on guest issues relating to poor supplier product during trips
• Liaise with suppliers as necessary to alert them to any real time issues raised by consultants and/or step in to rectify immediate client complaints regarding product
• Successfully manage distribution of special offers to the wider team, including Marketing

2: Product and Booking Procedures

• Quality control quotes been sent out by Sales Consultants
• Task Management and internal processes managed through ClickUp
• General Administration of rates in ClickUp - assuring filing of rates for ease of use
• Oversee iCom Bookings

1: Marketing

• Provide strategic feedback to Marketing on booking trends and market insights
• Design, develop and price website tour inventory (project for Q2/Q3 2023)
• Advise and give insight to web copy/positioning of suppliers on websites
• Interface with the Marketing Team for content collateral within the monthly marketing plan
• Use the company Linkedin profile to build closer relationships with suppliers and increase overall profile in the industry

2: Marketing

• Product train agents via setting up and facilitating webinars
• Provide strategic feedback to Marketing on booking trends and market insights
• Design, develop and price set departures
• Interface with the Marketing Team for content collateral within the monthly marketing plan
• Use the company Linkedin profile to build closer relationships with suppliers and increase overall profile in the industry

Group: Human Resources

• Continually train and nurture sales consultants on destination and product understanding
• Manage and develop a team of direct reportees within the Product Department

Group: General

• Participate as a productive Head of Department and contribute to strategic and operational planning and achievement of the company's vision & objectives
• Assist in business development and maintenance, including policies, systems, improvements
• Drive endorsed communication channels (Salesforce Tasks, Chatter and Email)
• Exhibiting behaviors that are consistent with the company culture
• Adhere to all company policies, processes and procedures including administration guidelines