Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person®.
Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.
Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland or in possession of a valid work permit.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Hotel Buyer is an integral part of our purchasing team within the Land Operation Department. This role is key to maintaining Viking Cruises as the industry leader, in regards to securing hotel inventory and building partnerships with quality hotel-partners by delivering season targets for allocations for our river cruise products. This role will involve working in a team, contracting hotel inventory in set destinations for extensions offered before and after the cruises.
The Hotel Buyer is working closely in a team, with three other Hotel Buyers and reports to the Director of Purchasing Land Operations. This role is based in our Operational Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Identifying new potential hotel partners, agree and negotiate terms and conditions
• Visiting various hotel partners, and establishing and maintaining prosperous strategic business relationships with key suppliers
• Negotiating and agreeing on contracts and monitoring their progress
• Managing and controlling the company’s hotel partners with an emphasis on service and product quality
• Ensuring inventory is bought at the most appropriate, yet competitive price
• Fosters excellent and close internal relationships with internal Stakeholders
• Continually improving purchasing methods
• Procurement of hotel rooms incl. F&B in the creation of replacement programs for unforeseen events such as floods, low water, etc.
• Producing reports and statistics
• Processing payments and invoices
• Any reasonable task requested by the company
• Representing the department at internal meetings and presenting purchasing performance achievements
• Continuous development of own personal skills
Job
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in Hotels, either sales or sourcing/purchasing and/or the tourism/hospitality industry is a preference
• High competency level in use of MS Office, in particular Excel, PowerBi and PowerPoint; MXP or any other procurement software is a plus
• Proven track record of controlling and reducing external spending whilst developing a solid supplier base (hotels) is a plus
• Fluency in English, both in written and spoken
• French and German would be a plus (any additional language skills beneficial)
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Availability on occasional weekends for emergency duty
• Result-orientated and confident
• Willingness to travel across Europe for hotel inspections (up to 20% annually)
• Hands-on mentality and excellent negotiation skills
• Personable
• Proactive approach to overcome challenges and achieve results
CULTURE & BENEFITS
• Fast-growing and dynamic environment, a modern workspace, flexible working hours
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply via our website www.vikingcareers.com, including your CV in English and a one-page cover letter to introduce yourself and your interest for the role.
For more details about this position, contact Marta Pikusa under +41 61 638 60 11.