Contracting Manager, Italy

Founded in 2001, Travelive is a recognized leader in bespoke travel services, headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida and Athens, Greece with local offices throughout our Mediterranean destinations. Due to continuous growth, we seek qualified candidates who share our vision, values, and commitment to excellence in service.

Office: Italy - Remote

Overview

We are seeking a highly self-motivated and experienced contracting manager responsible for developing and establishing the best supplier relationships in the industry. You will develop and implement a strategy to ensure our rates and pricing are the best in the industry while constantly maximizing revenue and margin opportunities.

You will be required to lead all supplier contracting negotiations to ensure the very best purchase rates are obtained. You will also be responsible for the system loading functions based in our European headquarters in Athens, Greece. You will be required to effectively work with suppliers and partners throughout Italy; face to face, via email and phone. The role requires regional travel to meet with new and existing suppliers.

You must have a clear understanding of the travel industry, the distribution channels and pose exceptionally strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities include:

Contracting Management

Develop and lead the contracting strategy for Italy
Act as the key point of contact for suppliers related to contracting, operational, commercial or financial activities
Negotiate contracts with new and existing suppliers. This includes annual contract renewals, special offers, group series and other business terms
Work alongside the Country Manager to negotiate preferred and improved contracts and amenities with suppliers throughout Italy. Ensure that all existing and new product is delivered with the most competitive price
Negotiate and develop exclusive high-end travel offers (hotels, transfers, yachts, tours and more.) with exceptional discounts on a regular basis with the support of the Country Manager Italy
Oversee and manage the annual tariff Italy for distribution to travel partners
In conjunction with the Country Manager, support, manage and implement the development of internal staff development and inspection trips

Systems Loading

Develop and implement a clear procedure for system management and loading
Develop and maintain clear manuals and workflows
Ensure supplier data, contacts and contracts are received in a timely manner and stored accurately and updated regularly
Manage and maintain the Standard Operational Procedures for the contracting and system loading functions Yield and Revenue Management
Develop and implement a strategy to maximize all yield and revenue opportunities
Identify and negotiate partners deals that lead to improved commercial performance
Periodic presentations, reporting and analysis of product performance
Travel within Italy to meet with suppliers to explore commercial opportunities
Evaluate market competition and to ensure Travelive maintains it's competitiveness
Remain up to date with competitor pricing
Work alongside with senior management and country manager Italy to ensure product portfolio is both unique and commercially sound

Qualified applicants should have:

Minimum 5-7 years’ experience as Contracting Manager within the Travel and Tourism Industry in Italy - (preferable Inbound Tour Operator and Destination Management sectors)
High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
Strong negotiation skills
Financial awareness including business acumen and profit awareness
Ability to be creative, strategic, analytical, and think outside the box to solve problems
High level understanding of operational and logistical tactics
Presentation and public speaking skills
Decisiveness, tough-mindedness and assertiveness
Ability to manage personnel
Excellent knowledge of project management and information analysis
Good command of written and spoken English
High levels of verbal and written Communication skills
Excellent Microsoft Office skills
University Degree (or minimum 5 years management experience)
Positive attitude, motivated, well organized and ambitious