<p><strong>Destination Management Company (DMC)</strong> based in <strong>Paarden Eiland, CT</strong> is looking for <strong>Head of Product</strong>.</p><p>The successful candidate will be responsible for defining the <strong>product vision</strong> of the company across <strong>Southern Africa</strong>, while ensuring the <strong>systems team supports</strong> efficiency, profitability and exceptional client experiences.</p><p>Leading the <strong>Product </strong>and<strong> Systems</strong> teams, this role combines <strong>strategic product development</strong>, <strong>commercial direction</strong> and <strong>sales conversations </strong>as well as <strong>systems optimisation</strong> to meet evolving <strong>B2B client needs</strong>, drive <strong>revenue growth</strong> and uphold the companys reputation for <strong>quality </strong>and<strong> reliability</strong>.</p><p>Hybrid working offered.</p><p><strong>Duties:</strong></p><p><strong>Product Vision & Strategic Direction:</strong></p><p>Define and execute the product strategy in line with company goals, contracted agents and source market priorities.</p><p>Translate market trends and client insights, with the support of the team, into innovative product concepts and enhancements.</p><p>Oversee the teams execution of full product lifecycle, from ideation with agents, through launch, audit procedures, and continuous improvement.</p><p>Monitor and analyse product and sales performance, adjusting strategies as needed.</p><p><strong>Leadership & Team Management:</strong></p><p>Lead, mentor, and develop the Product Management and Systems teams, fostering a high-performance culture.</p><p>Foster a proactive, commercially minded culture within the Product team, encouraging active participation in sales discussions and product positioning.</p><p>Set clear objectives, priorities and KPIs for both teams.</p><p>Promote collaboration between product, reservations, operations, marketing and systems functions.</p><p>Ensure both teams are aligned to strategic business goals and deliver measurable value.</p><p><strong>Commercial Strategy & Supplier Partnerships:</strong></p><p>Set the overarching commercial framework for supplier contracting rates and overrides.</p><p>Guide product managers in supplier negotiations, ensuring profitability and competitiveness.</p><p>Develop and approve, in collaboration with CEO, key supplier agreements and strategic partnerships.</p><p>Oversee risk management related to supplier agreements and service delivery.</p><p><strong>Systems Team Oversight:</strong></p><p>Oversee the strategic management of core operational system (Tourplan)</p><p>Ensure systems team optimises to support product delivery, pricing and data accuracy, reporting and client communications.</p><p>Drive system improvements, in collaboration with the CEO and integrations that enhance efficiency and client experience.</p><p><strong>Customer Journey & Sales alignment:</strong></p><p>Ensure products and systems together deliver a seamless, high-quality client experience.</p><p>Ensure products and systems together with sales / reservations, embed client feedback into product and system improvements.</p><p>Act as the strategic link between the customer facing teams, ensuring brand and company goals are achieved</p><p>Maintain an in-depth understanding of competitor offerings, market shifts and source market trends.</p><p>Identify, in collaboration with the team, emerging destinations, experiences and product categories to expand the portfolio.</p><p>Ensure the sales / reservations team has the tools, knowledge and positioning needed to succeed.</p><p>Support business development efforts with market insights and product recommendations.</p><p>Enable and coach the Product team to confidently engage in sales conversations, supporting account growth through effective product storytelling and solution selling.</p><p><strong>Requirements:</strong></p><p>Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism or related field.</p><p>At least 810 years experience in senior product or commercial roles within a DMC or similar.</p><p>Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, including product and systems/technology.</p><p>Strong knowledge of Southern African travel products</p><p>Experience with operational systems relevant to travel product delivery (e.g., Tourplan).</p><p>Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and operational efficiency through product and systems strategies.</p><p>Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.</p><p>Strategic Leadership & Vision</p><p>Product & Commercial Acumen</p><p>Systems & Process Optimisation</p><p>Cross-Functional Collaboration</p><p>Market & Trend Analysis</p><p>Supplier Partnership Management</p><p>Customer-Centric Thinking</p><p>Influencing & Negotiation Skills</p>
