Western Cape: Head of Product posted by Craven Cottage CC

Duties:
 
Product Vision & Strategic Direction:
 
Define and execute the product strategy in line with company goals, contracted agents and source market priorities.
Translate market trends and client insights, with the support of the team, into innovative product concepts and enhancements.
Oversee the team’s execution of full product lifecycle, from ideation with agents, through launch, audit procedures, and continuous improvement.
Monitor and analyse product and sales performance, adjusting strategies as needed.
 
Leadership & Team Management:
 
Lead, mentor, and develop the Product Management and Systems teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Foster a proactive, commercially minded culture within the Product team, encouraging active participation in sales discussions and product positioning.
Set clear objectives, priorities and KPIs for both teams.
Promote collaboration between product, reservations, operations, marketing and systems functions.
Ensure both teams are aligned to strategic business goals and deliver measurable value.
 
Commercial Strategy & Supplier Partnerships:
 
Set the overarching commercial framework for supplier contracting rates and overrides.
Guide product managers in supplier negotiations, ensuring profitability and competitiveness.
Develop and approve, in collaboration with CEO, key supplier agreements and strategic partnerships.
Oversee risk management related to supplier agreements and service delivery.
 
 
Systems Team Oversight:
 
Oversee the strategic management of core operational system (Tourplan)
Ensure systems team optimises to support product delivery, pricing and data accuracy, reporting and client communications.
Drive system improvements, in collaboration with the CEO and integrations that enhance efficiency and client experience.
 
Customer Journey & Sales alignment:
 
Ensure products and systems together deliver a seamless, high-quality client experience.
Ensure products and systems together with sales / reservations, embed client feedback into product and system improvements.
Act as the strategic link between the customer facing teams, ensuring brand and company goals are achieved
Maintain an in-depth understanding of competitor offerings, market shifts and source market trends.
Identify, in collaboration with the team, emerging destinations, experiences and product categories to expand the portfolio.
Ensure the sales / reservations team has the tools, knowledge and positioning needed to succeed.
Support business development efforts with market insights and product recommendations.
Enable and coach the Product team to confidently engage in sales conversations, supporting account growth through effective product storytelling and solution selling.
 
Requirements:
 
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism or related field.
At least 8–10 years’ experience in senior product or commercial roles within a DMC or similar.
Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, including product and systems/technology.
Strong knowledge of Southern African travel products
Experience with operational systems relevant to travel product delivery (e.g., Tourplan).
Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth and operational efficiency through product and systems strategies.
Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Product & Commercial Acumen
Systems & Process Optimisation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Market & Trend Analysis
Supplier Partnership Management
Customer-Centric Thinking
Influencing & Negotiation Skills