A&K Product Manager, Africa

Position Summary

The Product Manager drives the product to meet A&K USA's overall strategy and commercial sales goals. This includes negotiating, managing the product lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, and working with internal and external partners to develop and deliver creative, innovative, and game-changing products that meet revenue targets and exceed quality goals.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Create and Manage Products to Achieve Sales and Margin Goals

• Lead product research, design, development, and pricing activities to ensure appropriate product quality, positioning, and profitability.
• Negotiate and finalize favorable contracts with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and vendors, including itemized costs.
• Perform ongoing competitive monitoring and raise issues and recommendations to improve products.
• Review utilization weekly and react quickly if additional inventory is required.
• Obtain additional inventory to meet regional goals.
• Collaborate with the Global Product Team to ensure market representation in all product designs.
• Ensure established product guidelines and standards are met and continue to improve upon A&K’s guests’ experiences.
• Partner with internal sales trainers to develop and deliver destination knowledge to help increase revenue and sales.
• Propose/advise on new product recommendations and opportunities, utilizing partnerships, DMC and tourism office information, and destination development.
• Offer input and opportunity-based recommendations to drive competitive advantage and guest experience enhancements.
• Ensure products operate within set budgets.
• Develop vendor relationships through communication, site visits, and product immersion trips. 

Maintain Timely and Accurate Deliverables in accordance with the Product Calendar

• Confirm all product components, required inventory, and supplier/vendor arrangements within the established timeframe.
• Ensure timely delivery of pricing/product information to the Sales and Marketing teams for related marketplace activities.
• Deliver all creative materials in accordance with established “handover” and proofing timelines.
• Deliver all product costs in accordance with the established pricing timeline, and be prepared to justify related cost rationale including competitive positioning.
• Complete all internal product data files for all products.
• Train and advise all sales staff including Travel Consultants and Sales Directors
• Ensure Product Quality and Guest Feedback Meet or Exceed Company Goals
• Ensure DMCs, suppliers/vendors understand and fulfil all necessary product requirements and arrangements per A&K product standards
• Educate staff and vendors on A&K product/quality standards.
• Travel as necessary to inspect product inclusions, meet with suppliers/vendors, etc, to ensure product quality and delivery standards.
• Proof all product and marketing-related information to ensure products are accurately and appropriately positioned.
• Review Guest Post-Travel Data, identify issues, and develop action plans to address

Manage Product Team

• Manage, mentor, and lead Product Specialist and Tailor Made Product Specialist
• Lead by example
• Ensure the team’s deliverables and deadlines are met.
• Attend weekly Product Team Meetings to review & respond to sales, quality, and marketing issues

Skills and Abilities

• Budgeting, P&L analysis, contract negotiation and management
• Verbal and written communication, problem-solving, workload management
• Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative perspective.
• Strong knowledge of world geography
• Adaptable to new challenges and championing change
• Team player
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word and PowerPoint

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business discipline required and/or equivalent related industry experience.
• 6-8 years of industry experience
• Proven experience in product management in the travel and/or hospitality industries
• Proven experience in product development, tour construction, operations, costing

Special requirements

• Must maintain a valid passport.
• Attendance at after-hours trade functions and site inspections.
• Ability to travel frequently and, sometimes, with little advance notice.