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- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and supplier management in a dynamic travel company.
- Company: Join a century-old, award-winning family-run travel company known for exceptional guest experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, travel discounts, wellness perks, and a fantastic team environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture focused on upskilling, travel, and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and experience in the travel industry preferred.
- Other info: This role offers a competitive salary with a 20% bonus and exciting company events.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.
Job Description
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING
LONDON – HYBRID
FANTASTIC BASIC DOE PLUS 20% BONUS AND AMAZING BENEFITS
Our Customer:
We are thrilled to be EXCLUSIVELY recruiting a Senior Director of Contracting for this globally acclaimed, award-winning Travel Company, as part of their continued business growth.
With a legacy spanning over a century, they stand as a family-run establishment committed to delivering specialised travel services that leave guests feeling truly cherished.
As the Senior Director of Contracting, you'll enjoy hybrid working, strong team support, and opportunities for upskilling and travel. Benefits include paid product exploration trips, remote working allowance, pension contributions, wellness perks, and memorable company events.
Job Description:
In this role, you will lead the strategic procurement agenda, ensuring effective supplier selection, contracting, and performance to support brand excellence, cost efficiency, and operational success across the business.
- Set and execute the strategic procurement direction in line with business goals
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to maintain a commercial advantage
- Ensure all procurement aligns with brand standards, controls costs, and delivers consistent guest experiences
- Drive direct contracting with suppliers where commercially viable across key regions
- Oversee supplier relationships and core procurement functions including accommodation, ground handlers, transport, and experiences
- Approve contracts, ensuring legal, GDPR, and insurance compliance
- Lead digital transformation of procurement processes to improve accuracy, reporting, and efficiency
- Oversee reservations and inventory processes, ensuring service delivery meets guest expectations
- Manage transport operations, aligning logistics with itineraries and resolving supplier issues
- Lead and develop a high-performing management team, ensuring compliance and supporting DEI and employee engagement initiatives
Experience Required:
- Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary, international teams
- Strong EMEA supplier sourcing and contract negotiation skills
- Solid experience in procurement and cost control
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial insight
- Skilled at managing senior stakeholder relationships
- Track record of driving operational efficiency across regions
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, CRM, and procurement systems
- Experience leading digital transformation initiatives
- Strong people management and talent development ability
- Travel or hospitality industry background, EMEA focus preferred
Benefits and Perks:
- Fantastic salary
- 20% Bonus
- Hybrid working
- Fantastic team environment with great team support
- Volunteering benefits
- Training and up-skilling
- Travel discounts
- Paid vacation to explore products
- Annual remote working allowance
- Company Pension
- Childcare and Commute Benefits
- GYM benefits
- Company events you don’t want to miss
- Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Click here to apply for this Senior Director of Contracting, travel industry job, which is being recruited by Fiona Morrison-Arnthal and Ambitions Travel Recruitment, a boutique recruitment agency, specialising in travel and hospitality roles, and known for sourcing hard-to-find talent.
IMPORTANT
- If this role ticks your boxes and you’ve got the relevant experience, then click and apply
- If this role isn’t for you but you’d be keen to receive suitable job alerts, then register with us now www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com
- Due to the massive number of applications, we receive, we’re usually only able to reply to candidates whose requirements meet our customers’ needs. We’re super grateful that you take the time to apply, and we will save your CV and be in touch for other suitable roles
- Please visit our website www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com for our full privacy policy which explains how we store and access your personal data and our candidate promise to never share your details with an employer without your prior consent etc.
Senior Director of Contracting employer: Ambitions Travel Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ambitions Travel Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director of Contracting
✨Tip Number 1
Research the company thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and recent developments in the travel industry. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the travel and hospitality sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who may have insights into the company or the role. Personal connections can often lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences in procurement and supplier management. Be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase your leadership skills and strategic thinking, particularly in a multi-disciplinary context.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on market trends and competitor activities within the travel industry. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and opportunities will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to the company's success.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director of Contracting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive operational efficiency and manage supplier relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and commercial insight. Mention your familiarity with the travel or hospitality industry and how your background aligns with the company's goals and values.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in Microsoft 365, CRM, and procurement systems. Include any experience you have with digital transformation initiatives, as this is a key aspect of the role.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Detail your experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, particularly in an international context. Highlight your ability to develop talent and support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within your teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Director of Contracting, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed teams and drove operational efficiency.
✨Understand the Travel Industry
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the travel and hospitality sector, especially within the EMEA region. Being able to discuss market dynamics and competitor activities will show your strategic thinking and commercial insight.
✨Prepare for Contract Negotiation Scenarios
Expect questions around supplier sourcing and contract negotiation. Be ready to discuss your approach to securing favourable terms and how you've handled challenging negotiations in the past.
✨Highlight Digital Transformation Experience
Since the role involves leading digital transformation initiatives, be prepared to talk about your experience with procurement systems and how you've improved processes through technology in previous roles.
