Market Manager - France, Monaco and Benelux

dnata Travel Group, part of the Emirates Group, is recruiting for a Market Manager specifically responsible for France, Monaco & Benelux. In this role you’ll support our Central Ground Services function by proactively contracting hotels and managing hotel and accommodation suppliers and developing relationships. You will be the single point of contact for suppliers on behalf of dnata Travel and our affiliated brands. You will leverage technology to achieve seamless connectivity with our accommodation suppliers to drive room night production and revenue growth. Fluency in French and excellent English (written and spoken) are essential requirements for this role. The location of this role is flexible in the UK. It can either be homebased or located in Kingston‑upon‑Thames or Leyland, near Preston (Lancashire) on a hybrid basis. Extensive travel will be required across the regions that you are specifically responsible for.

Job Accountabilities:

• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with key contacts for your region.
• Account management with clear development plans for leading suppliers in your market.
• Manage Market Managers and Market Executives in the execution of account management.
• Work with our brands’ product teams to set and deliver the bed brief and always highlight opportunities throughout the region.
• Pro-actively manage the supplier negotiation process at the optimal time.
• Support and negotiate alongside your internal customers’ marketing teams to ensure maximum contribution from suppliers for the dnata brands’ marketing campaigns.
• Maximise commercial return on relationships by ensuring highly competitive brochure contributions and tiered overrides are included in the contracting process.
• Oversee site inspections of existing and new properties to ascertain suitability.
• Ensure rates and information are loaded into the contracting system in close collaboration with the contract loading teams.
• Support the product teams with the delivery of content, images, product awareness and knowledge.
• In collaboration with the brands’ product teams, evaluate market requirements related to the needs of tactical products.
• Manage CRM accuracy to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage supplier development and partnership.
• Implement the Health and Safety procedures set by the company.

Required skills and experience:

• Significant previous experience in a Purchasing/Market Manager role ideally with recent experience in one or more of the regions being recruited for.
• Able to exercise commercial judgement in the selection, negotiation and contracting of tour operator product or hotel services.
• Demonstrable analytical skills.
• A proven ability to meet production and commercial deadlines.
• Fluent in French and excellent English written and oral.
• First‑hand knowledge of the geography of the region with an understanding of the tourism/tour operating industry.
• A proven network of relevant supplier contacts and relationships.
• Technology literate with an existing international job relevant industry network.
• Knowledge of Salesforce would be an advantage.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 28 days after 5 full years of service (+ bank holidays).
• Additional annual leave purchase scheme.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance programme.
• Mental Health First Aiders.
• Travel discounts – we have a dedicated Staff Travel Team to source the best deals for our people.
• Ongoing development – we have an in‑house People Development Team.
• Industry/social events – including supplier events, office socials & parties and pop‑up shops.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Reward & recognition programme.
• Belong programme - Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that play a crucial role in implementing our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I).
• Volunteer days – one day’s paid leave each year to volunteer with a registered charity.
• dnata4good – supporting the local communities we work, live and thrive in.
• Refer a friend scheme.
• Free eye care tests.
• Free Taste Card membership– offering discounts on dining out, movies, attractions, takeaways and online shopping.
• Casual dress code.
• Free tea and coffee, break out areas with free Wi‑Fi.
• On‑site restaurant and parking (Leyland only).