Contracting Executive

Our Client
The Talent People is partnering with a leading international B2B travel and destination management company with a strong presence across Asia Pacific. The organisation designs and delivers curated travel experiences for global travel agents and partners and is recognised for its customer-centric approach strong supplier partnerships and commercially driven product portfolio.

About the Role
We are seeking a Contracting Executive to join the clients Product team in Tokyo. Reporting to the Regional Contracting Leader you will support the delivery of the Japan contracting strategy: sourcing and negotiating supplier agreements building strong supplier relationships and becoming an expert on the products in the portfolio. You will work closely with internal teams to support the display promotion and sale of product through the companys reservation system (Tourplan). This role suits a commercially minded travel professional with solid supplier-facing experience in the Japan market.

Key Responsibilities

Contracting & Product Management

• Support the Regional Contracting Leader with day-to-day product sourcing activities
• Engage suppliers (hotels ground operators experiences and attractions) to secure contracting documents and rate agreements
• Negotiate rates and solicit supplier participation in campaign and promotional opportunities
• Secure content descriptions and images to support the display and sale of product across all channels
• Manage supplier contracts and documentation in line with internal standards ensuring the contract masterfile is accurate and up to date
• Coordinate product and rate updates with the content team with a focus on speed to market
• Manage supplier connectivity and distribution opportunities together with the connectivity team
• Support internal teams in investigating and resolving product-related queries

Commercial Acumen

• Benchmark incoming contracts and promotions for competitiveness with the aim of maximising margin
• Use system reports to identify and resolve rate and availability issues
• Manage supplier communications and track responses to surveys solicitations and information requests
• Develop and maintain healthy long-term supplier relationships
• Work with global counterparts to document standards and SOPs for the contracting team
• Prioritise and promote preferred suppliers wherever relevant

Development

• Meet and exceed targets and deadlines set by your leader
• Participate in internal and external training and continuously deepen knowledge of the product portfolio

Key Success Measures

• Competitive analysis and gross margin
• Signed contracts and masterfile accuracy
• Speed to market

Requirements

• Around 5 years of experience in travel contracting travel procurement product or supplier management (e.g. DMC tour operator OTA wholesaler or hotel distribution)
• Business-level Japanese for supplier negotiation (JLPT N1 preferred)
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Bachelors degree or equivalent practical experience
• Experience with Tourplan or similar travel reservation systems is an advantage

Skills & Attributes

• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer focus; results oriented
• Excellent organisational skills with flexibility to adapt and implement change
• High attention to detail
• Able to work under pressure multitask and work outside office hours when required
• Solution focused with strong problem-solving ability
• Able to work independently and within a team
• Willing to travel for business when required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications

Why Join

• Join an established international travel group with a regional footprint across Asia Pacific
• Commercially impactful role shaping the Japan supplier portfolio sold to global travel partners
• Exposure to regional and global contracting teams with structured training and development

Keywords: contracting executive travel contracting supplier contracting hotel contracting travel procurement DMC destination management inbound Japan tour operator rate negotiation Tourplan Japanese N1 Tokyo 契約担当 仕入れ 旅行