Tour Operator Contracting Manager - Europe (French Speaking)

European Contracting Manager (French Speaking)

Permanent Office-Based

£30,000 - £45,000 DOE

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm

Location: Harrow-on-the-Hill

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. It offers the opportunity to step into a well structured, respected position with real ownership of supplier relationships and European markets.

The role would suit an experienced travel contracting / purchasing professional, although strong junior candidates with relevant travel or hospitality background will also be considered.

The Role - European Contracting & Supplier Management

This is a hands on, commercial role focused on hotel and ground service contracting for European tours, primarily supporting India focused group travel.

• 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 of the year, usually in one week periods.

About You

• 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 relationships and attending face to face supplier meetings
• Organised, detail oriented, and proactive
• Confident IT skills, particularly Excel and Microsoft Office
• Full, clean UK driving licence required
• Able to work in a fully office based role

Strong junior profiles with the right industry 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 the travel sector
• Overseas travel and genuine ownership of European markets