PRODUCT MANAGER (Destination / not technical)

Product Manager job in Croydon (hybrid) working for a specialist tour operator, covering a nice portfolio of destination travel products. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role managing the complete product lifecycle — from contracting and rate negotiation through to pricing, loading and in-market performance — on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

Do you have hands-on experience managing travel products from contracting through to customer delivery? Thrive in a commercially focused role where you own the numbers — pricing, margins, supplier negotiations? Know how to build strong supplier relationships and turn them into commercial advantage? Spot opportunities to refine or re-engineer a product before the customer notices the problem? Bring genuine enthusiasm for destination travel — and the drive to know your portfolio inside out?

Our Customer is an award-winning holiday specialist with a well-established portfolio of itineraries, designed for travellers seeking curated, high-quality escorted experiences across the world's most inspiring destinations. They are now seeking a Product Manager to take full commercial ownership of a niche sector within their product range — playing a central role in shaping how these destinations are contracted, positioned and delivered to customers.

The Role:

• Reporting to the Head of Long-Haul Product, you will take full commercial ownership of a niche destination portfolio, managing the complete product lifecycle from contracting through to customer delivery.
• Contract and develop commercially successful, innovative holiday products.
• Manage existing products — identifying where refinement or re-engineering can improve performance.
• Ensure holidays are accurately costed, loaded and marketed on and offline.
• Negotiate competitive rates, overrides and marketing funds with suppliers.
• Track competitor activity and customer insights across Latam and Asia markets.
• Build strong supplier and tourist board relationships, including joint marketing campaigns.
• Brief and train internal teams on your destinations.
• Monitor quality and customer satisfaction — acting swiftly when needed.
• Support the wider team and Emergency Response function when required.

Experience Required:

• Proven travel industry experience in a similar product role.
• Strong contracting and negotiation skills.
• Commercial acumen and an analytical mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong communicator and collaborator across internal and external stakeholders.
• Confident working with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Genuine enthusiasm for travel and destination knowledge.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working — 2 days in the Croydon office, 3 days from home.
• Competitive salary — full package shared with shortlisted candidates.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Discount off the company's own holiday programme.
• Salary-sacrifice pension scheme.
• Considerate family leave arrangements.
• Health and wellbeing benefits.
• Access to voluntary benefits including EV purchase schemes, activity passes, menopause support and lifestyle brand discounts.
• Opportunity to travel to destinations and experience the holidays first-hand.

This is a 12-month maternity cover contract, full-time. It is an excellent opportunity for an experienced product professional to step into a commercially significant role within a well-regarded touring holidays business.