Tour Operator Contracting Manager – Europe (French Speaking)

Permanent | Fully Office-Based
Salary: £30,000 – £45,000 
Monday – Friday | 9:00am – 5:30pm
Location: Harrow-on-the-Hill
Full, clean UK driving licence required

The Opportunity An established B2B tour operator specialising in European group and coach travel is seeking a European Contracting Manager to join its London-based team.

This is a business-critical, long-term role, replacing a team member who has been with the company for over 11 years. The position offers genuine ownership of European supplier relationships and markets within a well-structured, respected tour operating business.

The role would suit an experienced tour operator contracting / purchasing professional, although strong junior candidates with relevant tour operating, travel, or hospitality experience will also be considered.

The Role – European Contracting & Supplier Management This is a hands-on, commercial role focused on hotel and ground service contracting across Europe, primarily supporting India-focused group tour programmes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Contracting, negotiating, and managing hotels, transport providers, attractions, and ground services across Europe
• Owning and developing long-term supplier relationships, including regular face-to-face meetings
• Conducting rate negotiations, market research, and competitor analysis
• Attending UK and European travel trade events and workshops (e.g. London, Paris, Italy)
• Overseas travel for supplier contracting during peak periods (typically June–September, in short stints)
• Working closely with internal operations and sales teams to ensure smooth tour delivery
• Maintaining accurate contracting, pricing, and supplier records
• Supporting continuous improvement of product quality and commercial performance

The role requires flexibility to travel for approximately 2–3 months per year, usually in one-week periods.

About You

• Background within a tour operator, DMC, or group travel business
• Experience within travel, tourism, or hospitality
• Exposure to contracting, purchasing, supplier negotiations, or product management
• Fluent French and English (additional European languages such as German or Dutch advantageous)
• Strong commercial awareness with confident negotiation skills
• Comfortable building supplier relationships and attending face-to-face meetings
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and proactive
• Confident IT skills, particularly Excel and Microsoft Office
• Full, clean UK driving licence (essential)
• Able to work in a fully office-based role
• Strong junior profiles with the right tour operating background will also be considered

Additional Information

• Office located a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill station
• Interview process: video interview followed by face-to-face
• Supportive, collaborative team environment
• Long-term stability and progression within tour operating
• Overseas travel and genuine ownership of European markets