Contracting Specialist

Contracting Specialist. Full time – Permanent. Based in Brighton. Paying a competitive salary.

With over 80 years of expertise, Inspiring Learning are the UK’s leading supplier of educationally rich group tours, school ski trips and activity focused tours. Our portfolio of brands specialise in curriculum focused programmes for schools, colleges and universities in the UK, around Europe and all over the world.

The Contracting Specialist within Inspiring Learning is a highly commercial role, where you will manage & take responsibility for a contracting spend of up to £3 million.

You will champion your allocated country/destination through working closely with Product Development, Commercial, Operations and Sales departments to ensure we are delivering the best products to the market place.

As our Contracting Specialist you will work closely with the Head of Contracting and the team, implementing your own supplier strategies to complement the strategy of the contracting department and the overall common goals of the business. Developing relationships with existing partners, as well as identifying and then initiating the smooth contract application of new business partners. You will negotiate commercial terms, service level agreements and prices to ensure we are offering the best value, with the best service to our customers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities of our Contracting Specialist: 

- Building relationships with suppliers, negotiate rates, terms & conditions, to achieve the best commercial outcome that supports and protects the business
- Manage supplier costs which include forecasting payment of deposits and final invoices to suppliers
-Support the data transfer and development on our reservations system
- Work with Contracting Administrator to maintain data/information system(s) to support processes, ensuring they are updated and maintained appropriately
- To “champion” destinations, that are educationally rich, by actively promoting all programs through sales training and assisting Product Development & Marketing in brochure text and imagery
- Flexibility to travel both in the UK and Overseas
- To liaise and work with H&S re specific issues and risks in relation to supplier’s contracts, to record information, keep accurate records of discussions or correspondence with suppliers, store contract data for correct legal time-frames, and ensure that this can be accessed at any stage

Person Specification

- Solid international buying/procurement/purchasing knowledge and experience within the market place
- Experience in the tourism industry and knowledge of contracting with suppliers of accommodation services on major contract deals
- Proven track record of closing commercial contracts on best terms
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt own style as and when needed
- Ability to work efficiently in a high demand, team orientated and fast-paced environment
- Experience in delivering KPIs and to targets
- Computer literate - intermediate to advanced user of Microsoft packages
- Influencing and negotiating skills
- Fluent in European languages (French/ Italian/ German/ Spanish)

If you feel like this could be the role for you, then please apply today!