Cruise Commercial Manager

The aim of this role is to pro-actively manage and develop existing/new supplier relationships to increase sales levels as well as identifying product. Maximise our earning potential for the Group by negotiating the best commercial terms along with additional marketing and funding support from our suppliers. You will also have full responsibility of the Commercials team ensuring effective day to day running of the team.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers to ensure where possible guaranteed overrides, targeted overrides, marketing funds, tactical offers /    exclusives and staff incentives are negotiated and communicated where appropriate.
• Maximising overall sales throughout the group
• Meet with suppliers to build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Hold weekly market trend discussions with suppliers and effectively communicate market position to Directors and Trading meetings.
• Work with the sales and marketing teams and provide products to market to drive sales, ensure funding opportunities from suppliers are maximised  and ensure the correct focus and product is applied
• Raise sponsorship funds from suppliers for Hays and Independence Group Conferences.
• Deal with escalated branch queries for suppliers such as commission, price matches, errors, and general queries and use problem solving skills to bring to resolution.
• Continual review of all internal processes and procedures, ensuring agreed departmental processes and procedure documents are maintained
• Gain full understanding of the different trading divisions within the group and their working practices
• Schedule and complete one to one sessions and appraisals for direct reports in line with company policy.  Provide necessary feedback to manager
• Attendance at overseas and UK conferences.
• Preparing reports for presentation to the Hays Travel board and trading meetings
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the department.
• Providing exceptional customer service at all times.
• Willingness to participate in and deliver training appropriate to own development.
• Effectively perform administrative duties.
• Participate in ad-hoc duties or prepare ad-hoc information where required

Technical Skills Required

• IT software packages including Microsoft Office and Outlook as well as in-house systems & reporting tools
• File management skills
• Web navigation skills
• E-mail management skills

Competencies Required

• Excellent communication, persuasive negotiation and influencing skills
• Highly motivated, confident and committed
• Upbeat, enthusiastic and positive attitude with a commitment to contribute to the growth of the business
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills
• Relationship management
• Exceptional interpersonal and teamwork skills
• A real passion for delivering consistent, exceptional customer service
• Results focused
• Strong commercial skills and awareness
• Well organised and able to manage a range of responsibilities, prioritising tasks as required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to liaise with all levels of staff from branch level to Director
• Strong people manager
• Excellent knowledge of the travel industry.
• Ability to work towards individual and team sales targets

Experience Required

• Experience of driving team performance

About Us 

As the UK’s largest independent travel agency, Hays Travel specialises in providing good value, quality holidays alongside excellent customer service. We work with all leading suppliers and can package holidays that include hotels, flights, cruises, tours, attraction tickets, and more. We have over 470 Branches throughout the UK and our Head Office based in Sunderland, is home to tour operator teams, finance, marketing, people/HR and IT, plus many more. We have been operating for over 40 years, and continue to grow each year.

Our values 

Our SMILE values are embedded in to our company and ensure our teams work strongly together. You and all of our colleagues will ensure that the Hays Travel values are demonstrated at all times.

• Supportive
• Motivational
• Innovative
• Loyal
• Excellence

What it’s like to work for us? 

Whichever location or department you work in, our people are always at the heart of everything we do. We offer a range of training programmes to help you progress personally and professionally, as we know the benefits of promoting and rewarding our hardworking colleagues are extremely important.

Of course, it's not all about work. We're very sociable and there are always lots of team nights-out and company parties. Plus, there are opportunities to travel abroad on educational trips, and you can also take advantage of our colleague discount when booking your own holidays.

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