Hotel Contracting Manager, Pacific

31 October, 2024
- Commercial
- Melbourne, Australia
- Full time
- Hybrid

**What you will do on your journey with WebBeds.**:
As a Hotel Contracting Manager for the Pacific region at WebBeds, you will be instrumental in building, growing, and maintaining a strong hotel portfolio. Based in Melbourne, you'll work on securing competitive rates, conditions, and inventory with suppliers while achieving targets for hotel numbers, revenue, and marketing fees. Your role will involve negotiating contracts, monitoring performance, and fostering relationships with key suppliers to drive destination performance and ensure the best outcomes for WebBeds.

**In this role you will**:
In this role, you will negotiate and sign contracts that meet company requirements, focusing on rates, allocations, and commissions. You’ll identify key hotels within destinations and secure contracts in line with regional targets. Your responsibilities include maximizing contract performance through tactical offers and identifying promotional opportunities. You will produce monthly reports reflecting market trends and product needs, track competitive pricing, and monitor production volumes to ensure adequate inventory. Providing advice to the Pricing and Revenue Management team and ensuring accurate contract administration are crucial. You will also manage ongoing account relationships, negotiate to minimize losses, and promote products internally. Regular business trips and trade fair attendance may be required. You’ll work with suppliers and internal teams to optimize distribution channels and address issues with low-performing areas. Your role also involves other administrative tasks and acting as a solution provider in designated destinations.

**Key Responsibilities.**:

- Negotiate and sign competitive or exclusive contracts that meet company requirements in terms of rates, allocations, commissions, and other criteria.
- Identify and contract ‘must-have’ hotels within destinations according to Regional Head agreement and assigned targets.
- Maximize contract performance through tactical offers and special promotions to achieve targets and enhance destination performance.
- Identify promotional opportunities within the destination(s).
- Produce monthly reports on market trends and product needs for the Head of Commercial.
- Track competitive pricing and availability in line with demand.
- Monitor and analyze production volumes to ensure inventory meets destination targets.
- Provide suggestions to the Pricing and Revenue Management team to ensure maximum profit margins.
- Complete contract administration accurately and on time, within department guidelines.
- Ensure hotel information content is accurate and up-to-date.
- Manage ongoing account relationships and develop strong ties with key supplier decision-makers.
- Negotiate to minimize losses and manage supplier relationships throughout the contract period.
- Promote products internally and provide recommendations as needed.
- Undertake regular business trips and trade fair attendance.
- Work with suppliers and internal teams to maximize benefits from all distribution channels.
- Identify and address issues with low-performing areas.
- Perform other administrative tasks as required.
- Act as a solution provider in designated destinations.

**The skills we would love to see in your suitcase.**:

- Previous experience as a Hotel Procurement Manager or Contracts Manager within the travel industry preferred.
- Knowledge of B2B, online travel/ecommerce, and hotel revenue management.
- Comprehensive understanding of the hotel distribution landscape.
- Fluency in English, both verbal and written.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to develop and promote long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
- Skills in business development and account management.
- Knowledge of operating within assigned territory.
- Proven analytical skills and strategic thinking.
- Ability to produce accurate reports and manage information.
- High attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Adaptability to different working environments and willingness to travel.
- Proven track record of meeting targets and delivering success in hotel procurement or contract management.
- Professional, confident, and enthusiastic demeanor.
- Proactive, results-driven, and able to work independently.
- Resilient and capable of performing under pressure.
- Available for travel at least 20% of the time.
- Functional IT knowledge, particularly MS Office with a focus on Excel.
- Degree level education or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience working in a multi-cultural organization and with diverse cultures.