Product Development Manager

Position Title**:Product Development Manager**

Reports to**:Director of Product Development**

Status**:Salary**

Travel Requirements**: 20%-30%; 2-4 Market Visits as needed, Industry tradeshows as determined with Director, all applicable company events**

The Product Development Manager ultimate responsibilities are:

- Craft, execute and evaluate all necessary actions designed to ensure a sustainable and mutually beneficial business relationship with our hotel and ground partners.
- Implement the product vision, set forth in collaboration with the director, into a reality working closely with the suppliers on a daily basis, weekly monitoring the financial results and executing on hotel marketing/merchandising plans.

This position requires a detailed knowledge of the product, Classic’s Vacations strategies, operations and the ability to use detailed financial information to make decisions which drive sales and profits. Once the product model is determined, the PD Manager is responsible for maintaining relationships with the hotel director of sales, revenue manager and reservations directors, negotiating and executing supplier marketing plans, as well as monitoring and increasing product profitability.

Skills required for this position include strong analytical and mathematical skills, outstanding relationship and customer service skills, proficient computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), typing (50 WPM+), and excellent verbal and written communications skills. College degree is required. In addition, the PD Manager must possess problem solving skills as well as the ability to multi-task. Specific competency requirements are outlined below.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Basic knowledge of all Product development systems including:

- HTS- Plex reservations system
- Advising, Stop Sell and Inventory Control
- Classic Vacation’s Reservation System
- Tableau reporting

(These are all internal systems and we would train on them)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize and meeting deadlines

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Achieve a clear understanding of the Company’s Vision, Mission Statement, philosophy, goals and objectives, and communicate them effectively to hotel and ground suppliers as well as Tourism Boards.
- Ability to further develop Luxury vision in existing destination.
- Communicate with vendors clearly and professionally, and able to effectively negotiate within company parameters
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent Classic Vacations’ policies and products to staff and vendors.
- Understand and clearly articulate the cause and effect of any action as they relate to other departments through a product life cycle.
- Effectively communicate problems and resolution options to all levels of staff within Classic Vacations Executives, MIS, Reservations, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Vendor Payables) as well as to the vendors
- Actively participate in departmental and company meetings, sharing best practices and helping to solve problems
- Ability to influence internal and external decision makers

**RESPONSIBILITIES GROUPED BY EXPEDIA INC.’S THREE PILARS FOR SUCCESS**

**Adding Value**
- Marketing Plans:
1. Secure marketing funds from as many hotel partners to participate in our most popular marketing

Campaigns.

2. Work closely with and in collaboration with Marketing to design marketing plans down to the individual hotel when applicable.

3. Coach and drive suppliers to meet promotion and marketing timelines.

4. Request marketable exclusive hotel promotions, review and prioritize.
- Pricing

1. Maintain our “Price Guarantee” and “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) status where no component of the vacation experience can be purchased at a lower price through any other distribution channel or buying direct.

2. Maintain MBR% scores above 75% annual average.

3. Secure consortia amenities for preferred hotels, or at the very least an alternate amenity.
- Merchandising:
1. Find creative ways to showcase periodic promotions that would awake awareness of specific product or destination yet maintain expenses at a conservative level.

2. Monitor Top Picks Program shared among the Team members. Choose one Manager’s special, as required, and highlight the most compelling offer

3. Exposure, above and beyond marketing tactics. - Provide free marketing opportunities to the most supportive partners and ensure this action is communicated to them on a timely basis with the dollar value associated.
- Content. - Ensure accurate content, offer details, and highlight unique selling features in all Marketing tactics for each participating hotel partner.
- Profitability
- Serve as expert regarding contract terms and addenda for product line including:

- Rates, yields, room categories and associated margins
- Terms & conditio