Groups Product & Procurement Specialist

PURPOSE OF POSITION

• The Groups Product & Procurement Specialist is responsible for sourcing, developing and enhancing group travel programmes, while securing the most suitable products, services and pricing for group enquiries across Southern Africa.
• Acting as the department's product and commercial expert, this role engages directly with agents to understand and interpret client requirements, and identify the most appropriate product, pricing and commercial solutions to meet their objectives.
• The role is responsible for identifying the best supplier solutions, negotiating competitive rates and terms, and providing recommendations that support successful proposal delivery, strong conversion rates and profitable business growth. Acting as a critical link between agents, suppliers and the Groups team, the position ensures Consultants have access to accurate pricing, relevant product options and market-leading commercial opportunities, enabling them to deliver compelling and competitive proposals.
• The role plays a key part in winning and growing business through strong supplier partnerships, innovative product development, competitive pricing and exceptional market knowledge.

Duties Client Engagement:

• Understand client requirements and develop suitable solutions
• Engage directly with agents to understand group tour requirements, objectives and specific needs.
• Work collaboratively with agents to review existing programmes and identify opportunities to enhance client experience, improve competitiveness and deliver greater value.
• Provide product recommendations, commercial guidance and destination expertise to develop tailored group travel solutions aligned to client expectations, budgets and operational requirements.
• Build strong professional relationships with agents and act as a trusted advisor throughout the proposal development process.
• Collaborate with Groups Consultants to ensure proposed solutions accurately reflect client needs and expectations.

Product Sourcing & Development

• Identify appropriate products and services for group enquiries
• Source accommodation, transport, guides, attractions and experiences based on specific client requirements.
• Research, evaluate and recommend new products, experiences and suppliers, maintaining knowledge of destinations, products and industry developments across Southern Africa.
• Review and enhance existing group series itineraries and product offerings, using client, guide and operational feedback to drive continuous improvement and maintain competitiveness.
• Identify opportunities to enhance programmes through unique experiences, value-added services and commercially beneficial alternatives.
• Proactively identify, evaluate and onboard new guides and specialist guides, while fostering strong relationships to build an engaged and loyal guide community.
• Travel where required to conduct site inspections, attend educational tours and evaluate products and services to ensure recommendations remain relevant, competitive and aligned to client expectations.

Procurement & Negotiation

• Secure competitive commercial terms and supplier support
• Negotiate competitive group rates and preferential commercial terms with suppliers.
• Secure flexible deposit, payment, cancellation and release terms that support client requirements and maximise conversion opportunities.
• Obtain pricing and supplier feedback within agreed turnaround times.
• Proactively seek value-adds, concessions and supplier support to enhance proposals and strengthen competitiveness.

Pricing & Commercial Support

• Provide accurate and competitive pricing solutions
• Evaluate and validate supplier pricing, commercial terms and value-add opportunities to ensure competitiveness and commercial viability.
• Ensure product recommendations align with budget and client expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins through strategic supplier selection and negotiation.
• Balance client requirements with commercial objectives to achieve profitable outcomes.

Supplier & Guide Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier and guide partnerships
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with accommodation, transport, activity suppliers and tour guides.
• Conduct supplier engagement meetings to strengthen partnerships and maintain product knowledge.
• Establish supplier partnerships that support commercial, operational and service excellence objectives.
• Proactively identify, recruit and retain high-performing guides and specialist guides to strengthen the Groups guide pool.
• Foster an engaged and loyal guide community through regular communication, collaboration, feedback and recognition.

Consultant Support

• Assist Groups Consultants in developing competitive proposals
• Recommend suitable product options tailored to the specific requirements of each group proposal.
• Provide pricing guidance and commercial recommendations.
• Support Groups Consultants with destination and product knowledge.
• Assist in developing compelling and competitive proposals that maximise conversion opportunities.

Commercial & Market Intelligence

• Monitor trends and identify opportunities
• Keep abreast of Groups market trends, special offers and new product developments across Southern Africa.
• Identify commercial opportunities, product enhancements and supplier initiatives that improve competitiveness and profitability.
• Share relevant market insights, supplier intelligence and industry developments with management and the Groups team.

Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate product information
• Maintain accurate and accessible records of supplier information, rates, commercial terms and product updates, ensuring they are readily available to the Groups team.
• Share product updates and training information with the Groups team.
• Support continuous product knowledge development within the department

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Required Negotiable:

• Minimum 10 years' experience in the inbound tourism industry, within a Groups environment.
• Experience working with group series advantageous.
• Strong understanding of the inbound travel, tourism and hospitality industries across Southern Africa.
• Advanced Southern African product and destination knowledge.
• Proven experience in negotiating rates, commercial terms and supplier agreements.
• Proven experience building and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to assess pricing, margins and commercial viability.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel for site inspections, educational visits and supplier meetings.

Email CVs to hannah@proappoint.co.za