Business Development & Contracting Specialist at Tourvest Destination Management

Description

• To calculate existing series, groups and packages, to the effect of meeting deadlines, client price & product expectations as well as management expectations
• To distribute relevant information internally
• To set up training attendance and participation of additional supplier training / meetings as per relevance
• To negotiate & handle logistics of client trips and fam trips
• To request reports in time for various meetings, identifying the relevant information required
• To successfully plan and execute pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, services and events to create and maintain relationships that will satisfy individual and organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• To ensure client expectations are met and the highest delivery of service is driven through the business
• To ensure that clients are offered the best available price and product
• To continually look at creative ideas and review products which are offered to clients
• To build and retain relationships with suppliers
• Negotiate best rates and products
• Establish and maintain good relationships with all GoVacation Africa/Tourvest staff
• To ensure effective communication with suppliers and colleagues at all times

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND CONTRACTING

• Meet clients & managements price versus offering expectations.
  • Offering of competitive rates
  • Value for money options
  • Adhere to turnaround times and deadlines
  • Presentation of proposals
• Understanding the needs of clients target market and developing of product accordingly within a competitive market
  • Communicate market research with direct line manager
  • Assist with supplier dialogue & rate negotiations
• Product Development for client specific brochure contracting
  • Understanding the markets
  • Analysing clients portfolio
  • Analysing competitor portfolio
  • Assisting with liaising between Business Development & Operations / Reservations
  • Negotiate series & other rates with suppliers
  • Re-Negotiate rates for improved margins
• Brochure / Competitor Analysis
  • Collecting of competitors brochures and analysing to ensure continuous competitiveness within our specific markets
• Supplier Negotiation
  • Understanding your specific market and the competition in order to achieve the main goal of ensuring our agents are competitive within the market
  • Maintaining good relationships with suppliers in order to achieve these goals
  • Negotiate rates and value adds to benefit of both the client as well as GoVacation Africa
• Managing of contracting process
  • Request series & group rates for required validity
  • Set up of allocation overviews
  • Request allocations and where applicable find suitable alternatives
  • Negotiate rates to meet client expectations and for improved profit
  • Saving of documentation in sharepoint
  • Distributing relevant information to internal stakeholders
  • Handover of proposals and vital information to Operations and Reservations
• Rate Cards
  • Pulling of rate cards
  • Ensure all information on rate cards is correct and properly formatted and then forwarded to the relevant agent
• Administration of contracting
  • After completion of contracting update all product lists
  • Rate cards to be saved in L/Share
  • Hand over to operations
• Client update
  • When supplier updates regarding rates are received, information must be updated on all contracts and rate cards and agents must be informed immediately of new rates

ADMINISTRATION

• Full understanding and follow-through of all divisional procedures and policies

FINANCIAL REPORTING

• Explanation of variances
• Margin Management (high & low)
• Rate increases eg series year to year increases
• Reconciling of files

TEAM WORK

• To build and maintain good relationships within the team
• Pro-actively get involved

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS

• Commitment to and building relationships with Tourvest Destination Management preferred partners
• Ensure that the best rates are always negotiated and secured
• Understanding supplier products
• Establishing best product
• Personal development on destinations and products
• Actively source new products and creative ideas

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

• Continuously develop product knowledge, attend industry events/seminars/conferences, and participate in supplier workshops, educationals and trade shows
• Keep abreast of industry trends
• Attend exhibitions, trade shows where necessary

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Turnaround time as per client specifications

Documentation Management:

• Itinerary planning and layout
• Strong Excel
• Word
• Filing

Special skills:

• Time management
• Problem solving
• Continually exceed the customer’s expectation
• Financial

Qualifications and Expertise

• Matric/Grade 12
• Tertiary Qualification in Tourism would be preferable
• Tourplan knowledge and execution
• Strong Excel & Word skills
• Knowledge of customers’ needs and products
• Ability to negotiate with suppliers for availability and rates
• Good Tourism industry knowledge
• Excellent South African and Regional geographic knowledge
• Strong product knowledge
• Strong logistical knowledge
• Strong language skills (English compulsory, German & French advantageous)

Competency

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to operate under solid pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Attention to detail is essential
• A mature approach when dealing with people
• Capacity for dealing with employers and workers at all levels
• Confidentiality, tact and discretion when dealing with people
• Excellent planning, organisational, and analytical skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Integrity and Honesty
• Good interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Good Problem solving skills
• Negotiation and liaison ability
• Research skills