Senior Operations Specialist-Staff Travel at Wilderness

PRIMARY PURPOSE

To fill a full operations role in the booking process, firstly as a support to the Travel Designers but being the first line in relationships with suppliers and administration of the entire backend of each booking made by the journey designers. To secure the booking with all services providers including travel designers accurately, efficiently, timeously and with zero errors

Responsibilities

• Develop Stakeholder relationships by liaising with travel designers on all bookings in an operational capacity and continuous communication with suppliers and internal sales.
• Keep all booking information updated in the system ensuring Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is continually up to date.
• Reconfirm all services as per the Wilderness Safaris Terms & Conditions
• Keep updated with all WS and AP product updates, as well as technology updates
• Contact suppliers in writing to confirm or cancel relevant services giving them all special requirements
• Maintain booking file (electronically) which has been processed by the Travel Designer
• Escalate complaints that could negatively affect long-term relationships, to relevant Managers  
• Feedback to all properties where guests are due to travel to mitigate complaints down the line

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:-

• Matric certificate – with maths (minimum standard grade or above)
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality.

Experience:-                     

• 4-5 years’ experience at a Senior level.
• Experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and services in the inbound travel industry.
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, Email, Teams, Internet browsers)
• Proven English literacy.
• Working knowledge of TourPlan and WISH or similar booking/operating system. Excellent product and geographic knowledge on Southern & East Africa.
• General product knowledge on Southern and East Africa.
• Personal or educational travel experience advantageous

Skills:-                 

• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data capturing.
• Foreign language skills advantageous.

Personal Abilities:-

• Team worker, service and result oriented
• Precise, organised and good communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy.
• Ability to pace oneself and prioritise demands.
• Team worker and ability to interface with various departments.
• Good follow up skills.
• Consistent approach to quality and output.
• Good administrator and professional in all dealings.
• Dedicated to customer satisfaction and wanting to “go the extra mile”.
• Self-starter with high energy levels.