Director, Procurement DMC

  • Full-time

Company Description

Founded in 2017, TripArc is a privately held software company that powers the top Travel Agencies and Tour Operators in North America. Our expansive and growing network of suppliers enables our clients seamless real time access to a comprehensive range of travel options and services globally with over $750 million worth of transactions managed through our platform annually - all at the industry’s best rates for travelers and rates of return for travel advisors and tour operators.

Our industry leading platforms address the current challenges the travel industry is facing because of the pandemic and offers solutions in technology, purchasing, finance and marketing.  We deliver solutions to travel professionals in the most effective way possible based on our deep experience with two leading brands in the luxury travel space – Kensington Tours and Travel Edge – we have real insight into the needs of tour operators and travel agencies today.

TripArc’s goals are simple. To make our distribution network of over 1400 travel entities and our network of suppliers and agents more profitable, efficient and help them create truly unique travel for their clients.  The travel industry was impacted by the pandemic, but as leaders in the industry, our turnaround has been significant and is gaining momentum. With the pent-up demand we are already seeing, we are here to help our clients make the most of it. 

Job Description

We are seeking a procurement leader who would thrive in the role of building a Global DMC, including initiating partnerships with local DMCs, setting strategy, sourcing products, and negotiating and contracting services in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment. The Director, of DMC Procurement, is primarily responsible for building and executing the overall Global strategy of DMC selection and onboarding, vendor analysis, and contracting to supply DMC services to Kensington Tours’ clients. This entrepreneurial individual will utilize their advanced analytical capabilities and industry connections to negotiate and procure contracts and services that meet and exceed quality requirements at the most favorable price for the company, while simultaneously building and maintaining strategic relationships with key suppliers, vendors, and DMCs. 

Duties

  • Develop a holistic strategy and process for building and launching the Global DMC tour, activity, and transport division for Trip-Arc to suit the requirements of key clients and achieve monthly sales targets.
  • Own vendor selection process including evaluation, category analysis, negotiation, and alignment on approach with key cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Build an analytical approach to determine the most optimal regional-specific DMC sourcing model based on a combination of factors including vendor availability, support structure, market benchmark savings opportunity, and forecasted market demand. 
  • Evaluate the current purchasing activities of our clients and competitors to prioritize and build a targeted Global monthly Travelify DMC procurement plan.
  • Quantify procurement opportunities by building financial models to drive vendor evaluation and structure contracts.
  • Identify unique areas beyond traditional vendor agreements to negotiate more favorable rates directly with key suppliers (e.g., Specials, promotions, allotments).
  • Prepare and present department reports and supporting analysis regularly for the Executive Team that track; spend with vendors, KPI indicators, rate increase/decreases, quality issues, and opportunities for savings.
  • Own process of negotiating, approving, managing, and signing vendor contracts and Service level agreements for all DMC-based activities.
  • Keep up with industry trends and best practices, to drive continuous improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of department procurement practices.
  • Establish solid working relationships and effectively coordinate with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the accomplishment of Trip-Arc’s business objectives.
  • Directly collaborate with the Product Director counterpart to deliver a Kensington Tour experience.

Qualifications

  • Experience in negotiation/contracting role.
  • Exceptional negotiation skills backed by strong financial modeling ability and business acumen.
  • A track record of quickly learning and dissecting new or existing information and business models to build strategy and processes.
  • A self-starter, with a demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and projects, and thrive in a high-performance team environment.
  • Entrepreneurial attitude and ownership mentality (no task is too small) with strong judgment, attention to detail, and an analytical mind.
  • An unrelenting passion for iterating, developing and owning a strategy that targets and achieves monthly KPIs.  
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills (both written and oral) along with strong interpersonal and team-based competencies.
  • Infectious enthusiasm, hustle, and a readiness to professionally grow at an accelerated pace.
  • Highly effective project management, prioritization, multi-tasking, and time management skills to meet deadlines and manage a large volume of work in a fast-paced, dynamic, high-performance environment.
  • Ability to travel to industry events when required.
  • Highly proficient with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications.

Additional Information

  • Thrives working in a technology and KPI driven organization.
  • Able to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.
  • Passionate about travel and all that surrounds it.
  • Highly functional in a fast paced, constantly changing workplace - building plans through iterations from learning on what’s working and not working.
  • Ability to build trust and work through conflict both upwards and downward.

We know that our success is dependent on the people who join our team, which is why we recruit the best. Our team is made up of owners; people who are smart, low ego, and who are accountable for their results.  We all play a part in the success of the company and are proud of what we do.

We thank all candidates for their interest however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.