Product Manager

Come and join one of the world’s leading luxury travel brands

After 60 years of experience arranging high quality travel to the world's most captivating destinations, we’re still setting the standard for expert-led, great value luxury holidays. Whichever role you join us in, whether customer facing or behind the scenes, everyone has their part to play in creating one-of-a-kind journeys that go beyond our clients’ high expectations.

As part of the Abercrombie & Kent Group of companies, with 55 offices worldwide and an unmatched network of connections across the globe, we offer adventures that can’t be experienced with any other tour provider. Working with a team of passionate and knowledgeable people, you’ll be able to open doors to private palaces, book Michelin-starred meals in the most remote locations and arrange out-of-hours museum tours. There’s always a buzz in the office about the latest ways we’ve gone the extra mile.

We’ll take you on unforgettable travel educationals to show you the Cox & Kings experience first-hand, and, as a company that never stands still, you’ll play a key role in our ambitious plans for the future.

Purpose:

The Product Manager will be responsible for creating, contracting and delivering creative, imaginative and commercially viable product for C&K. They will drive forward year on year growth whilst ensuring profitability is maximised and a culture of excellence in product delivery is maintained and enhanced.

They will strive to contract a variety of product for both brands, ensuring that all Travel Consultants have the right product at their fingertips to achieve their sales targets. It is a client-centric approach to product development, ensuring that we are able to deliver the right client requirements for either brand. It is essential that the Travel Consultants receive product training and on-going support to deliver sales growth and achieve maximum profitability within the Product Managers region.  

Requiring their own ingenuity and independence, they will also work very closely with other departments, notably marketing, sales and operations to ensure detailed feedback and analysis is generated to continue to improve C&K Product. 

 

 

• To ensure that both brands are buying product at a competitive rate and contracting with a commercial view. Lead all negotiations. To report on the profitability of performance of product within the region.
• To ensure that the Travel Consultants are product knowledgeable and fully supported, enabling them to ‘sell’ the destination effectively. To constantly monitor the product knowledge of Travel Consultants - this then arbitrates their ability to sell any given country.
• A robust approach to contracting, including a high level of commercial acumen to negotiate exceptional terms, understanding compliance and managing multiple contracts.
• Ensure that the product has met the appropriate Health & Safety requirements and that contracts are in place with all suppliers.
• Source new product to innovate and ensure the C&K offering is relevant, creative and marketable. Be adaptable to contract unique ad hoc product, ensuring there is a breadth and depth of product across the premium product of C&K.
• Keep abreast of product featured in key media. More importantly, to appreciate what the clients are actually asking for and communicating this effectively to our suppliers, not least our own DMCs.
• To maintain positive and collaborative (though never ‘cosy’) relationships with all DMCs and suppliers, in the best interests of both brands. To provide them with regular reports on performance, profitability and competitor activity, encouraging the sharing and transparency of margins.
• The Product Manager is responsible for ensuring that both air and ground allocations are requested for the brochure programmes, that the allocations are confirmed, and provided to operations to load on the reservations system. 
• Set the mark-ups and deliver a pricing strategy, ensuring product for both brands is competitive – never to be perceived as outrageously ‘expensive’ – whilst holding acceptable margins. To be knowledgeable of current market prices and product innovations through routine competitor analysis. The PM should manage and monitor GOP for their product and, should areas fall short of company targets, investigate and report the specific problems and take remedial action.  
• In conjunction with the Commercial Manager, the Product Manager is responsible for ensuring that group tours operate with profitable numbers. If required, rates should be re-negotiated with ground handlers. Also in conjunction with the Operations Manager, the PM should ensure that itinerary/airline changes are updated with amended back–ups.
• In conjunction with the Sales Manager, the Product Manager is responsible for ensuring that all Sales Consultants are fully trained on the groups brochure programme, that they have accurate and updated product information and that they have all the relevant information to facilitate sales. 
• Ensure that the booking systems are being used optimally in accordance with best practice as defined for the region. To ensure that product is loaded on the systems to facilitate effective selling. To ensure product text is accurate and appropriately descriptive.
  
• In the event of any complaint arising from clients' holidays, the Product Manager is responsible for providing all necessary information and assistance to the Quality Control department so that they can respond appropriately. The Product Manager is required to take remedial action with their suppliers in the event of complaints or operational issues. 
• In conjunction with the Sales Manager the Product Manager is responsible for planning staff and affiliate company educational visits to ensure that key destinations are monitored on a regular basis.
• Set targets with suppliers, with lucrative over-ride deals in place where possible.
• Attend trade events to represent C&K in the region and in the UK, including overseas travel where appropriate.
• The Product Manager must consistently monitor product performance, through client feedback, paying particular attention to guide quality.
• Liaise with our suppliers and the Sales Managers to create tactical campaigns to stimulate enquiries.
• Provide product, including special offers, to support the Marketing and PR function of the company.
• The Product Manager must support competitor analysis against other tour operators in the relevant destinations.
• To organise and operate PR trips for journalists as and when required.

 

• Will require drive, ambition and a ‘can-do’, flexible approach in order to continue to grow revenue and maximise margins
• Please note that overseas travel will be required to contract new product and develop new destinations 
• Strong and proven leadership skills 
• Strategic and commercial thinker 
• Ability to communicate with and influence key stakeholders 
• Ability to work calmly in demanding situations 

Essential

• Travel industry and management experience 
• High level experience of contracting 
• Thorough understanding of all areas of business 
• Strong analytical skills 
• Experience of contract negotiation 
• Ability to build up C&K portfolio commercially
• Ability to identify requirements and make recommendations for change through the production of 
  business cases 
• Process and results driven with clear line of sight from issue to resolution 
• Proven track record of leading innovative consumer focused product in the luxury travel sector 
  
  

This Role Profile highlights the key responsibilities but is not intended to be exhaustive.

• Competitive salary
• Discounted travel
• Pension
• 25 days' annual leave – In addition to bank holidays 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Loans
• Display Screen Equipment Eye tests
• Recruitment Bonus
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Social Events

Why work for Cox & Kings?

What makes A&K a great place to work is the people. It’s our people who foster the supportive environment that will make you proud to work for Cox & Kings and the A&K Group of companies. There will also be ongoing training and the opportunity to progress your career – not just in the UK, but as part of our global business.

We’re also a company that makes a difference. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) has supported local communities around the world for the past 40 years, and we were recognised by Which? for looking after our clients during the pandemic. We have two enviable office locations, in the Regency spa town of Cheltenham and the theatre heartland of London, Covent Garden.

If you would like to learn more about the position or apply please send your CV, salary expectations and cover letter to: [email protected]

 

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