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Fox World Travel · 2 days ago

Sourcing Manager

Oshkosh, WI

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$60K/yr - $65K/yr

7+ years exp

Fox World Travel is one of Wisconsin’s largest travel companies, seeking a Sourcing Manager to enhance efficiency and profitability through strategic sourcing and contract strategies. The role involves developing sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with various teams to meet client goals and objectives.

Travel

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Developing sourcing and contracting strategies and process efficiencies to lower costs, increase profitability, strengthen vendor relationships, and maintain or improve client satisfaction and program results

Continual improvement in contract negotiation skills, along with supplier and vendor relations

Staying informed of industry changes, leading-edge strategic sourcing processes, best practices, new suppliers, services, and venues. Being proactive with ideas and providing creative solutions for new trends

Strategizing with the Sales Directors, Meetings and Incentives, in interpreting client needs to align programs with client goals and objectives

Sourcing and initiating preliminary negotiations for Request for Proposal (RFP) to hotels, cruise lines, DMCs, wholesalers and other vendors via electronic RFP

Evaluating vendor proposals for accuracy, clarifying responses, and negotiating best possible pricing and concessions in order to meet client expectations

Recommending destinations, venues, DMCs, and logistics to the sales team based on research

Collaborating with the Group Air Manager to align air strategy with client goals and budgets

Developing and updating standardized client contracts, pricing agreements and customization procedures to legally protect FMI and clients

Developing, managing, and utilizing preferred vendor programs to maximize quality of service and pricing value to client and to FMI

Tracking and documenting cost savings and cost avoidance data to accompany proposals, client contracts/agreements and account reviews

Maintaining purchasing and proposal tracking reports. Consulting with clients to continue to qualify meeting, incentive, and event needs and communicate outcomes in a professional manner, as required

Working closely with operations team to ensure all sold programs are communicated and transitioned for management and fulfillment

Actively participating in strategic sourcing initiatives

Utilizing preferred vendor programs to maximize quality of service and pricing value to client and FMI

Developing comprehensive proposals with accurate terms and conditions. and present to Sales Directors and Vice President for review

Acquisition of support materials as needed for client presentations

Developing accurate client contracts and pricing agreements and presenting Sales Director and Vice President for review and final approval

Providing quality control review for proposals, pricing, and contracts of colleagues

Monitoring and acting upon all contract dates until the program is transitioned to program operations

Collaborating with the Sales Directors, Meetings and Incentives, or Program Managers in the coordination of site inspections and the preparation of site inspection materials for clients

Maintaining the highest level of quality, professionalism, and integrity when negotiating with suppliers. Communicating and updating vendors on client’s program process and status

Updating knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks

Consistent application of Fox World Travel policies, procedures, practices, and programs

Maintaining a favorable and collaborative working relationship with team members in all departments to foster an environment of trust and mutual respect. Driving standards and best practices whenever possible and effectively fostering a culture of engagement

Enhancing the organization’s reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments

Being innovative and recommending new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of operations and services performed

Other duties, projects and alternate assignments as determined by business need

Qualification

Strategic sourcingContract negotiationPurchasing experienceProject managementTravel industry knowledgeCvent proficiencyMicrosoft ExcelAnalytical skillsCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsTeamworkCreativity

Required

A minimum of 7 years' purchasing experience

Knowledge of travel industry technologies that facilitate the sourcing process, current meeting and incentive industry trends, destinations, hotel properties, and/or who have meeting and incentive planning experience and/or extensive domestic and international group travel experience

Possess strong organizational skills and time management prowess

Ability to look for opportunities for process improvement and efficiencies

The ability to travel as needed for site inspections and/or industry events

The ability to work extended workdays and possible weekends on occasion

Must be accessible during acceptable work hours by client

Preferred

An associate degree or bachelor's degree in related field

CMP, or similar designation

Have thorough understanding of purchasing technologies, negotiation and contracting processes, and practices

Are a strategic forward thinker with an energetic, results focused, proactive approach

Possess superior project management skills including the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, meet aggressive deadlines, and provide excellent customer service

Can influence and positively motivate others with tactful and successful negotiation and relationship building skills

Possess strong analytical skills, business acumen, and customer service orientation

Have the ability to work in a team environment and are readily adaptable to change

Possess excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to interact at all levels both internally and externally

Are proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word, intermediate or better proficiency in Access, PowerPoint, Canva and Outlook

Are experienced in Cvent for sourcing and budgeting

Bring creativity and passion for planning memorable events