Product Destination Manager – East Africa

PRIMARY PURPOSE The role involves driving East Africa 3rd party products & destinations in order to grow the DMC offering in line with our business strategy as well as to contribute to the initiation, growth & development of FIT, Groups, and Owned Brands. Coordinating and developing relationships between the Sales team, Reservation Managers, Operations Reservation Managers, Travel Designers, and 3rd party suppliers. Clearly defining strategic preferred and other suppliers and building strong relationships with key suppliers by arranging regular meetings, attending online and physical trade shows. The successful incumbent will need to be a strategic thinker with a passion for driving business growth and have a strong background in the travel industry. This position is based in Johannesburg. Detailed Responsibilities Communication Communicate and share information with various divisions and travel shops. Investigate, source, review, and compile information for special interest products and new products. Assist with the planning and coordination of Fam Trips, presentations, and workshops together with Product Coordinators. Collaborate with the training department to develop destination and product updates. Monitor industry trends and competitor offerings to ensure our products remain competitive and innovative. Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers, and partners. Market Trends Analyze market trends and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in our Destination Management Company (DMC) offering. Compare and analyze rates and products of competitors to ensure competitiveness in the market. Communicate findings and recommendations to Management for strategic decision-making. Monitor and report on progress towards AP strategy goals. Investigate and resolve queries, complaints, and comments from guests, agents, and staff members in collaboration with the Travel Analyst team. Continuously seek ways to enhance the DMC offering and improve customer satisfaction. Rates Negotiate rates, margins, overrides, terms and conditions with 3rd party products for strategic and preferred categories at Wilderness Travel Shops. Clearly define strategic preferred and other suppliers, ensuring they align with the company's goals and objectives. Build strong relationships with key suppliers by arranging regular meetings and attending online and physical trade shows. Monitor and track supplier performance, ensuring they meet agreed upon terms and conditions. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure supplier agreements are in line with company strategy and objectives. Provide regular updates and reports on supplier negotiations and performance to management. Suppliers Update and maintain supplier information in the Wilderness Window system together with Product Coordinator. Work closely with the RARA department to ensure accurate rate loading and highlight any contractual changes. Vet all services to ensure they meet Wilderness guidelines for insurance coverage. Promote and develop circuits internally based on your assigned region. Participate in ad hoc supplier negotiations to ensure competitive rates and high-quality services. Reporting Attend regular management meetings to discuss day-to-day issues, assisting in finding solutions and possible areas of strategic importance, constructive feedback and best practices across the Wilderness group. Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless communication and guest experience. CANDIDATE PROFILE Experience: 7-10 years' experience in the travel & tourism industry Exposure to suppliers in Southern & East Africa preferably in operations or in product development Experience in interaction with agents & suppliers Personal or educational travel experience Working knowledge of TourPlan, Wilderness Window and WISH or similar booking/operating system Proven track record of driving sales and revenue growth Personal or educational travel experience Ability to negotiate contracts with suppliers and agents Must have a valid passport Must have a valid driver's license & own personal vehicle Skills: Knowledge of travel industry trends and best practices Experience with information gathering, analysis, and reporting Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint AI tools Ability to work independently and as part of a team Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Excellent communication and presentation abilities Knowledge of the travel industry and DMC operations is a plus Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders Interests: A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation. Closing Date 30 October 2026