Contracting Manager

Contracting Manager

Full-Time 29000 - 30000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Travel Trade Recruitment Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Negotiate contracts with restaurants and attractions while building strong supplier relationships.
  • Company: Leading provider in travel, leisure, and hospitality across the UK and Europe.
  • Benefits: Salary of £29,000 - £30,000 with hybrid working options.
  • Other info: Opportunity for travel and professional growth in a vibrant environment.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact in the inbound travel industry.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years in travel industry, strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.

The predicted salary is between 29000 - 30000 £ per year.

Are you experienced within the Inbound Travel Industry? Are you a natural relationship builder? Based in Kent and looking for a local role? Look no further! We are working with an established leading provider of travel, leisure and hospitality products and services in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, who are looking for a Product and Contracting Manager to join their team. Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Product & Contracting Manager will be responsible for contracting predominately restaurants and attractions in Ireland, Scotland & the North of England, to fulfil our Key trade/B2B and B2C demands. A key function of the role is to ensure existing and new supplier relationships are built and maintained to maximize all commercial opportunities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  • Negotiate competitive rates and conditions for all land services notably restaurants & attractions.
  • Secure contracts with suppliers in line with the purchasing strategy and remit advised from the Commercial Director.
  • Product development - source new venues and be proactive in proposing new products appropriate to the various sales channels.
  • Provide product updates and presentations of new products or packages to B2B clients.
  • Propose, plan and attend business trips and meetings to negotiate and renegotiate contracts.
  • Ensure existing and new supplier relationships are built and maintained to maximize all commercial opportunities.
  • Organise and attend FAM trips.
  • Attend key industry events, workshops and networking opportunities where required.
  • Ability to travel to key destinations in the UK, particularly Ireland and Scotland and to Northern Europe when required.
  • Prepare and analyse statistics via software products to benefit effective negotiations and product analysis for re‑contracting.
  • Develop and maintain commercially advantageous business relationships with our suppliers.
  • Provide the Operations team with product updates and respond to day‑to‑day queries.
  • Ensure all contracts are completed accurately and in full with all information set up in a timely fashion.
  • Liaise with all internal departments to ensure all departments are fully up to date, including finance, systems, sales & marketing.
  • Negotiate added‑value deals, overrides and special offers.
  • Constantly challenge yourself to increase product knowledge and identify potential suppliers to support our product offering.
  • Investigate and resolve service complaints.
  • Ensure high service quality standards are met year on year and promptly deal with queries from colleagues and suppliers.
  • Support sales functions with production of quarterly sales material, e‑shots and customer rates sheets.
  • Enter contracts into the in‑house HLG database.

Key Skills

  • At least 2 years’ experience in the travel industry, preferably in a purchasing role within the UK Inbound market.
  • Confident and passionate about succeeding in the role.
  • Strong commercial acumen, adaptability, reliability, flexibility, responsible attitude and ability to respond to tight deadlines.
  • Excellent negotiation skills.
  • Excellent organisational and planning skills.
  • Ability to build effective relationships.
  • Ability to deal with competing priorities effectively.
  • Self‑motivated and able to work well under pressure.
  • Good knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills (English).
  • Ability to handle multiple projects while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and a 'can do attitude'.
  • Enthusiastic and strong team player.
  • Additional languages desirable, particularly German or French, and knowledge of UK and Northern European cities.

Throughout the year it will be anticipated that you will spend approximately 50% of your time attending site visits, FAM trips, visiting clients, and attending workshops across the UK and Ireland (including travel to Ireland / Scotland approximately 8‑10 times a year).

The package:

  • A salary of £29,000 - £30,000
  • Hybrid working

Interested? Please click APPLY or contact (url removed)

Contracting Manager employer: Travel Trade Recruitment Limited

Join a dynamic and established leader in the travel, leisure, and hospitality sector, where your expertise as a Contracting Manager will be valued and nurtured. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships across the UK and Ireland, this role offers a rewarding career path in a vibrant location. Enjoy the benefits of hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to engage in exciting industry events while contributing to the success of a forward-thinking company.
Travel Trade Recruitment Limited

Contact Detail:

Travel Trade Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Contracting Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and FAM trips to meet potential employers and suppliers. Building relationships is key in the travel industry, so don’t be shy – get chatting!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your negotiation skills! When you get the chance, demonstrate how you can secure competitive rates and contracts. Use real examples from your past experiences to impress during interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay organised and prepared! Keep track of your applications and follow up with companies after interviews. A little persistence goes a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications there!

We think you need these skills to ace Contracting Manager

Negotiation Skills
Relationship Building
Product Development
Commercial Acumen
Organisational Skills
Planning Skills
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Ability to Handle Competing Priorities
Self-Motivation
Flexibility
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Team Player
Problem-Solving Skills
Knowledge of UK and Northern European Cities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracting Manager role. Highlight your experience in the inbound travel industry and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your relationship-building skills and your passion for the travel industry. Let us know why you're excited about this role and how you can contribute to our success.

Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key in this role, make sure to include examples of successful negotiations you've conducted in the past. We love seeing how you’ve maximised commercial opportunities and built strong supplier relationships!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our fantastic team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Travel Trade Recruitment Limited

✨Know Your Industry

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the inbound travel industry. Understand current trends, key players, and challenges. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your passion for the role.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled. Be ready to discuss how you secured competitive rates or built strong supplier relationships. This is crucial for a Contracting Manager role!

✨Demonstrate Relationship Building

Think of specific instances where you've built or maintained relationships in a professional setting. Highlight your ability to connect with suppliers and clients, as this is a key part of the job.

✨Be Ready for Role-Play Scenarios

Expect to engage in role-play during the interview, especially around negotiating contracts or handling service complaints. Practise these scenarios beforehand so you can respond confidently and effectively.

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