PRODUCT MANAGER

Job Title: Product Manager

Division/ Department: Product

Reports to (Job Title): Division Vice President

Location: Hybrid in Toronto (preferred) /Vancouver

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Since 1970, Goway Travel Ltd. has been providing unforgettable travel experiences for travelers from all walks of life. We are one of North America's leading travel provider to Europe and continue to grow our offerings throughout South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Latin America. With a wide range of travel ideas to more than 110 countries, including private-guided, escorted coach, small group, self-drives, cruise, and rail programs, our aim is to empower a global community of Globetrotters. We have a global presence with our head office in Toronto and branches in Vancouver, Los Angeles (USA), Manilla (Philippines), and Sydney (Australia).

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION DESCRIPTION

The Product department is responsible for all aspects of the commercialization of Goway product which includes, design, pricing and promotion. The key objective is to source and contract competitive and commercially viable product. In addition, the team develops and maintains co-operative partnerships with airlines, tourist boards and vacation product suppliers. Responsible for regularly auditing, reviewing and revitalizing the product portfolio. Product also serves to educate, support and motivate the Sales team through in-depth trainings, regularly scheduled team meetings and one-on-one conversations. In sum, as a critical link to the Leadership team, the Product department works to maximize commercial viability, marketing efficiencies and sales effectiveness.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Commercializing Product & Costing

• Negotiate competitive contracts, service level agreements and pricing with Destination Management Companies (DMC's), hotels, local service providers, cruise lines and other tourism partners for new and existing product
• Creating itineraries that are current, in-demand or absent from the product line
• Cost air and land packages for air-inclusive getaways on an ongoing basis, as well as land-only special offers on a monthly basis
• Regularly refresh content including overall itinerary design, tour descriptions, imagery and supporting marketing content on goway.com
• Regularly maintain and update product and pricing in Goway's internal operating system
• Negotiate marketing support with various Destination Management Companies, Tourist Boards and suppliers
• Select product to be featured in brochures, including reviewing and revising costing and copy-writing (alongside Marketing) on an annual basis
• Attend weekly product meetings to discuss ongoing projects, best practices, operational challenges and marketing initiatives
• Maintain price competitiveness through comprehensive analysis.
• identifying commercial opportunities throughout the various product lines and bringing those itineraries to market

Training

• Provide training and resources to sales teams on an ongoing basis, including new staff, related to air contracts, destination knowledge, brochure training, and working effectively with suppliers, web training, new itineraries and new services
• Develop and enhance training quizzes and “Expert” exams to qualify new and existing staff
• Liaise with suppliers visiting the Toronto and Vancouver office's to maximize training opportunities
• Help staff work towards becoming a Destination Specialist
• Identify areas of improvement for individual staff members and assist in scheduling training for them

Marketing

• Develop co-op marketing agreements with key suppliers, tourism boards and airlines in conjunction with the Division Vice President
• Contribute editorials content for various blogs and newsletters including Globetrotting Magazine,
• Provide pricing and suitable product offers for ongoing marketing initiatives
• Maintain product, pricing and marketing tools available on www.gowayagent.com

Sales Development & Support

• Assist in resolving quote and booking issues, pre- and post-departure, as required
• Investigate and address product inaccuracies and discrepancies
• Design flyers and emails for trade and consumers, as required

Consumer & Trade Presentations

• Create PowerPoint presentations for select destination product, as required
• Ability to independently lead and speak at a consumer or trade event as required
• Lead product and travel presentations to trade partners and consumers on an ongoing basis, as required
• Organize and/or attend local and international promotional shows and exhibitions

Other

• Monitor department destination leads, quote and sales results, and prepare Executive Summary reports on a monthly basis
• Conduct regular competitive reviews against key competitors
• Miscellaneous support for marketing department
• Handle customer/agent product issues and endeavor to bring to a satisfactory conclusion

Must be available for travel both in North America and overseas

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Minimum three years' experience within the travel industry in a product management role
• A certificate/diploma in Travel & Tourism; or a combination of experience, education and training equivalent to a diploma
• Analytical: strategic, data-driven and commercially-focused thinkers will succeed
• Initiative: the ideal candidate is motivated by growth, driven to win and will take ownership of their product portfolio
• Communication: exceptional negotiating skills, aimed at reaching ‘win-win' resolutions, are required. Comfortable with public speaking and presentations.
• Time Management: must effectively multi-task while managing competing deadlines
• People Person: must be comfortable leading meetings and answering questions while developing long-term relationships
• Technical Knowledge: computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite, Salesforce, FreshDesk and travel management software is an advantage
• Experience in Asia and Africa will be highly regarded for this role

KPI's:

KPI's include gross sales, margin contribution, achieved Marketing contributions, lead generation, product refreshment, pricing and product accuracy, and ensuring content on goway.com (itineraries, blogs, agent supports) is accurate, current and relevant

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned from time to time to meet the ongoing and changing needs of the organization.