Global Contracting Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global Contracting Manager based in Portugal.

Join a global travel organization where you’ll help shape the supplier partnerships behind memorable experiences across Scandinavia, the Balkans, and Central Europe.

You’ll lead negotiations and contracting strategies across hotels, transportation, restaurants, attractions, guides, and other tour components.

Your work will directly influence product quality, operational readiness, financial performance, and competitive positioning.

You’ll build trusted long-term relationships with suppliers while securing the inventory needed to support tour operations and future growth.

The role combines commercial strategy, relationship management, analytics, and cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic international environment.

You’ll work closely with product and operational teams to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure contracted experiences meet high standards.

This is an ideal opportunity for a travel professional with strong negotiation skills who enjoys global partnerships, problem-solving, and continuous learning.

Accountabilities

• Lead contract negotiations across all tour components, including hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, attractions, guides, and other suppliers.
• Develop and execute strategic vendor negotiation approaches designed to achieve commercial, operational, and quality objectives.
• Secure agreements that comply with organizational terms, conditions, quality standards, and product expectations.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen long-term relationships with contracted vendors and destination partners.
• Address supplier-related challenges, including additional dates, custom requests, inventory requirements, and operational needs.
• Secure the inventory necessary to support tour delivery, operational planning, and business growth.
• Ensure supplier partnerships consistently contribute to high-quality tour experiences and product excellence.
• Deliver contracting objectives that support financial plans, profitability, and competitive market positioning.
• Provide contracting expertise and solutions to teams across the organization when supplier or agreement-related challenges arise.
• Conduct market, destination, and supplier research and prepare effectively for in-destination contracting meetings.
• Collaborate with Product Management to review quality and excellence results and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align contracting strategies with broader product, operational, and commercial objectives.
• Explore and leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve contracting processes, enhance content and information, and increase operational efficiency.
• Adapt responsibilities and priorities as business needs evolve.

Requirements

• 2-5 years of experience in contract negotiation, preferably within travel, tourism, hospitality, procurement, or a related industry.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills, with the ability to develop mutually beneficial commercial partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to create and execute strategic contracting plans aligned with business objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a practical approach to resolving supplier and operational challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging both external partners and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, negotiations, and supplier relationships in a dynamic international environment.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of international destinations, travel products, and supplier ecosystems is highly valued.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance financial objectives with quality and customer experience requirements.
• Curiosity and a continuous-learning mindset, including an interest in using AI and emerging technologies to improve ways of working.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with global colleagues.

Benefits

• Full-time, remote position for candidates residing in Europe.
• Opportunity to work across Scandinavia, the Balkans, and Central Europe.
• International exposure through relationships with suppliers, partners, and colleagues across multiple destinations.
• Opportunity to directly influence tour quality, supplier partnerships, financial performance, and customer experiences.
• Dynamic environment within the global travel and tourism industry.
• Opportunities to travel domestically and internationally as part of the role.
• Collaborative, people-focused culture with opportunities to learn and grow.
• Exposure to emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools and process improvements.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative and high-quality travel experiences.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, according to the country of employment and applicable local terms.