Senior Manager, Supplier Relations (K4B)

KAYAK
New York Office, US
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior-level professionals in the travel industry who can manage global supplier relationships and lead cross-functional teams.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with deep travel industry experience and a track record of managing global supplier portfolios
    — “oversee the portfolio of all global preferred supplier partners”
  • Individuals who thrive in cross-functional leadership roles and have a history of strategic relationship-building
    — “Collaborate with key internal teams like Business Development, Account Management, Product & Marketing to achieve target goals”

Things to consider

  • The role requires a commitment to working in-office 3 days per week in either NYC or Norwalk, CT
    — “This role is based in our NYC office or Norwalk, CT office, 3 times a week.”
  • The candidate must be able to manage both internal and external stakeholders effectively
    — “Proven history of building and maintaining strong relationships both internally and externally”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in negotiating and optimizing supplier contracts with measurable outcomes
    — “Expert negotiator, developing creative solutions to problems or barriers”
  • Demonstrate leadership in driving technology improvements that increase sales for partners
    — “Contribute to determining and prioritizing new technology improvements to help drive additional sales to key partners”
  • Showcase a history of collaborating with global teams to align on strategic goals
    — “Experience working with global teams in multiple locations”
  • Emphasize your ability to evaluate and manage travel partners with analytical rigor
    — “Outstanding analytic skills to drive positive partnership results based on analysis”
  • Demonstrate your capability to communicate complex partnership strategies effectively
    — “Savvy and clear communicator, story teller and presenter to both technical and non-technical audiences”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • drive global growth, engaging new partnerships
  • collaborate with partners & internal teams on commercial opportunities
Typical background
7+ years in travel agency, distribution, payment, air/lodging/car/rail supplier or related fields

Skills & requirements

Required

Supplier RelationsCommercial OpportunitiesStrategic RelationshipsCommunication SkillsProblem-solving

Preferred

Experience In TechStrong Business Development

Stack & domain

Business DevelopmentNegotiationCommercial OpportunitiesTravel Partner EvaluationsContractingCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkLeadershipCorporate TravelSupplier RelationsTravel Management

About the role

Original posting from KAYAK via Ashby

KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We're also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

KAYAK for Business (K4B) is KAYAK's corporate travel platform — built to help companies manage business travel through a modern online booking experience, AI-powered features, and a connected network of travel management partners.

KAYAK is seeking a highly motivated Senior Manager to lead Supplier Relations for KAYAK for Business. This person will report to the Senior Director KAYAK for Business and oversee the portfolio of all global preferred supplier partners (TMC, airline, rail, lodging, car rental, ground, expense, payment, etc).

This role is based in our NYC office or Norwalk, CT office, 3 times a week.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

  • Drive global growth, engaging new partnerships as well as optimizing and retaining our existing partnerships, while expanding the value proposition and aligning the K4B strategy for suppliers and other partnerships
  • Design and lead travel partner evaluations, communications, and contracting for the organization
  • Collaborate with partners & internal teams on commercial opportunities, developing and strengthening strategic and mutually beneficial relationships for K4B and its partners
  • Working closely with customers and internal collaborators to ensure current and future content & functionality needs are exceeded
  • Collaborate with key internal teams like Business Development, Account Management, Product & Marketing to achieve target goals
  • Contribute to determining and prioritizing new technology improvements to help drive additional sales to key partners
  • Work closely with the Finance department for budgeting and forecasting and revenue reconciliation from suppliers

PLEASE APPLY IF YOU HAVE:

  • 7+ years in travel agency, distribution, payment, air/lodging/car/rail supplier or related fields
  • Proven history of building and maintaining strong relationships both internally and externally
  • Savvy and clear communicator, story teller and presenter to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Outstanding analytic skills to drive positive partnership results based on analysis
  • Expert negotiator, developing creative solutions to problems or barriers
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced tech environment
  • Recognized as a thought leader within the Travel Industry
  • Experience in tech a major plus
  • Strong business development and problem-solving skills coupled with a willingness to “roll up your sleeves”
  • Experience working with global teams in multiple locations

BENEFITS AND PERKS

  • Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
  • Focus on mental health and well-being:
  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
  • Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
  • Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)
  • No meeting Fridays
  • Paid parental leave
  • Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday
  • Paid volunteer time
  • Focus on your career growth:
  • Development Dollars
  • Leadership development
  • Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings
  • Travel Discounts
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Competitive retirement and health plans

INCLUSION

At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That's why we're focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here.

Need any adjustments for the interview, application or on the job? No problem - just give us a heads-up. We've got you.

#LI-AS1

Source: KAYAK careers (Ashby)

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