Product and Operations Manager

PRODUCT & OPERATIONS MANAGER / SUPPLIER & PRODUCT MANAGER

HERTFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE — HYBRID | MIN. 5 DAYS PER FORTNIGHT IN OFFICE

UP TO £40,000 FTE (DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE)

Product & Operations Manager job in Hertford, Hertfordshire, within the luxury travel industry, offering up to £40,000 FTE (depending on experience). This is a hands-on role covering supplier sourcing and negotiation, product development, and operational support for the sales team.

Do you?

Do you enjoy building strong supplier relationships and negotiating great rates on behalf of your customers?

Are you someone who thrives on variety — juggling contracts, product development and day-to-day sales support in one role?

Do you have the attention to detail and calm, steady approach needed to manage supplier issues, resolve customer feedback and keep systems accurate under pressure?

And do you bring fluent French, confident numeracy and the initiative to represent the business at trade fairs and supplier visits?

Our Customer

Our client is an established tour operator specialising in luxury, tailor-made travel to premier destinations across France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. With decades of combined experience, they design unforgettable journeys for high-end travellers — from couples seeking a gastronomic getaway to groups celebrating special occasions and corporates rewarding top performers.

They are now looking to strengthen their team with a Product & Operations Manager who will take ownership of supplier relationships, product development and operational support — playing a central role in shaping the experiences at the heart of the business.

The Role

In this role, you will own supplier sourcing and relationships while supporting the wider sales team with day-to-day product and operational tasks, ensuring every trip runs smoothly from planning through to delivery.

– Source and liaise with new suppliers, negotiating favourable rates and contracts

– Work closely with the sales team to find inspiration for new offerings

– Liaise with the Marketing team to create product-related content, including website write-ups

– Provide inspiration for bespoke itineraries and activities

– Actively maintain excellent supplier relationships and keep internal systems up to date

– Represent the business at supplier meetings and trade fairs, following up on new partnerships

– Visit and assess new hotels, vineyards and restaurants

– Maintain electronic rate folders and the internal quote-building system (Tourplan)

– Join the duty manager rota, supporting customers travelling out of hours

– Support the sales team with operational issues and respond to supplier-related customer feedback

– Take on product development and business development projects as required

Experience Required

– Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

– Strong IT skills, including a good working knowledge of Excel

– Experience with Tourplan, or the ability to quickly pick up new IT systems

– Excellent attention to detail and steady under pressure

– Strong time management skills, with the ability to manage your own workload

– Fluent French, spoken and written — essential

– An additional European language and strong mathematical skills — desirable

Benefits

– Flexible working — accrue hours to take up to an additional 12 days off per year

– Hybrid working — minimum 5 days in the office every fortnight

– Up to £40,000 FTE (depending on experience)

– Annual bonus

– 23 days annual leave

– 37.5-hour week, Monday–Friday

– Friendly, supportive and collaborative team environment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for a Product & Operations Manager in luxury travel?

Up to £40,000 FTE, depending on experience. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will share full package details with shortlisted candidates.

What does hybrid working look like in this role?

A minimum of 5 days in the office every fortnight, with the rest worked flexibly from home.

Is luxury travel industry experience required?

No specific sector experience is required, though fluent French is essential. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will fully brief all shortlisted candidates before interview.

What does a Product & Operations Manager do in travel?

The role combines supplier management, contract negotiation and product development with day-to-day operational support for the sales team — a hands-on role bridging supplier relationships and customer experience.

How do I apply through Ambitions Travel Recruitment?

Apply via this page. Ambitions Travel Recruitment reviews every application personally — no automated screening. Register at ambitionstravelrecruitment.com to be considered for future roles.

Who are Ambitions Travel Recruitment?

Ambitions Travel Recruitment is a specialist leisure travel recruitment agency placing professionals across all areas of leisure travel — including, but not limited to, tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses — in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. Founded by Fi Morrison-Arnthal with 35+ years’ experience.

Click here to apply for this Product & Operations Manager job, which is being recruited by Ambitions Travel Recruitment.

Ambitions Travel Recruitment places professionals across all areas of leisure travel, including tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses, in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. With over 100 combined years of industry experience, we are trusted by global corporations, independent travel businesses, and growing operators to source hard-to-find specialists through a headhunting approach that reaches candidates who never appear on job boards.

IMPORTANT

– If this role ticks your boxes and you’ve got the relevant experience, then click and apply

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