Key Responsibilities for Hotel Buyer Role
The Hotel Buyer plays a vital role in our purchasing team within the Land Operation Department. This position is crucial in maintaining Viking Cruises as an industry leader by securing hotel inventory and building partnerships with quality hotels through effective allocation management for our river cruise products.
The Hotel Buyer collaborates closely with other team members, including three fellow Hotel Buyers, and reports directly to the Director of Purchasing Land Operations. This role is based in Basel, Switzerland at our Operational Headquarters.
Core Responsibilities:
* Identify and engage new potential hotel partners, negotiate terms, and establish mutually beneficial agreements.
* Navigate multiple destinations to visit hotel partners, develop and maintain strong strategic business relationships with key suppliers.
* Craft and execute contracts, ensuring timely progress monitoring.
* Manage and oversee the company's hotel partners, prioritizing service and product quality.
* Sources hotel rooms, including F&B options, for contingency planning in response to unforeseen events such as floods or low water levels.
* Prepare comprehensive reports and statistics on purchasing activities.
* Process invoices and payments accurately.
* Perform any reasonable tasks assigned by the company.
* Presents departmental performance achievements at internal meetings.
* Maintains continuous personal skill development.
Essential Qualifications:
* Background experience in hotels, either sales or sourcing/purchasing, or the tourism/hospitality industry is preferred.
* Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerBi, and PowerPoint; knowledge of MXP or similar procurement software is an asset.
* Proven track record of cost control and reduction, coupled with supplier base development (hotels).
* Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
* Familiarity with French and German languages is advantageous, as well as additional language skills.
* Strong administrative and organizational skills.
* Effective communication skills.
* Availability for occasional weekend emergency duty.
* Result-driven, confident approach.
* Willingness to travel across Europe for hotel inspections (up to 20% annually).
* Practical problem-solving and negotiation skills.
* Approachable demeanor.
* Proactive mindset to overcome challenges and achieve results.