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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 work, 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 a background in travel or hospitality.
- Other info: This role offers a competitive salary with a 20% bonus and exciting company events.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ 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
Network with professionals in the travel and hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in procurement. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement systems and digital transformation initiatives mentioned in the job description. This will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your proactive approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company’s recent projects and achievements in the travel sector. Being knowledgeable about their operations and values will allow you to tailor your discussions and show genuine interest in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven operational efficiency in previous roles. Highlighting these experiences will showcase your suitability for the Senior Director position.
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 knowledgeable about market dynamics will help you discuss how you can maintain a commercial advantage for the company.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Be ready to discuss your strategic thinking and procurement direction. Think about how you would align procurement strategies with business goals and be prepared to share your insights on supplier selection and performance management.
✨Highlight Digital Transformation Experience
Since the role involves leading digital transformation initiatives, prepare to talk about your experience with procurement systems and how you've improved processes through technology. This will show your capability to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
