Tour Operator Contracting Manager Europe (French Speaking)
Permanent Fully Office-Based Salary: £30,000 £45,000 Monday Friday 9:00am 5:30pm Location: Harrow-on-the-Hill Full, clean UK driving licence required
The Opportunity An established
B2B tour operator specialising in European group and coach travel is seeking a
European Contracting Manager to join its London-based team.
This is a
business-critical, long-term role, replacing a team member who has been with the company for over
11 years. The position offers genuine ownership of European supplier relationships and markets within a well-structured, respected tour operating business.
The role would suit an experienced
tour operator contracting / purchasing professional, although
strong junior candidates with relevant tour operating, travel, or hospitality experience will also be considered.
The Role European Contracting & Supplier Management This is a hands-on, commercial role focused on
hotel and ground service contracting across Europe, primarily supporting
India-focused group tour programmes.
Key responsibilities include: - Contracting, negotiating, and managing hotels, transport providers, attractions, and ground services across Europe
- Owning and developing long-term supplier relationships, including regular face-to-face meetings
- Conducting rate negotiations, market research, and competitor analysis
- Attending UK and European travel trade events and workshops (e.g. London, Paris, Italy)
- Overseas travel for supplier contracting during peak periods (typically June September, in short stints)
- Working closely with internal operations and sales teams to ensure smooth tour delivery
- Maintaining accurate contracting, pricing, and supplier records
- Supporting continuous improvement of product quality and commercial performance
The role requires flexibility to travel for approximately
2 3 months per year, usually in
one-week periods.
About You
- Background within a tour operator, DMC, or group travel business
- Experience within travel, tourism, or hospitality
- Exposure to contracting, purchasing, supplier negotiations, or product management
- Fluent French and English (additional European languages such as German or Dutch advantageous)
- Strong commercial awareness with confident negotiation skills
- Comfortable building supplier relationships and attending face-to-face meetings
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and proactive
- Confident IT skills, particularly Excel and Microsoft Office
- Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
- Able to work in a fully office-based role
- Strong junior profiles with the right tour operating background will also be considered
Additional Information
- Office located a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill station
- Interview process: video interview followed by face-to-face
- Supportive, collaborative team environment
- Long-term stability and progression within tour operating
- Overseas travel and genuine ownership of European markets
