Product and Purchasing Director - #142434

The great outdoors is our happy place and it’s open all year round. Ski the slopes, walk the walks and explore the Lapland wilderness. If nature’s in your nature… if you’re itching for adventure - you’ve found your people.

We are united by our shared passion for our exceptional brands- Inghams and Santa's Lapland. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, staying true to our commitment to our people and planet.

If you're looking for a career that's not just a job but a fulfilling adventure, we welcome you to explore opportunities with us. Join our team and be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven business dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Join us on our journey, creating extraordinary travel experiences for all.

Our vision is to be the most loved travel company in our markets, famous for customer experience and sustainable travel.

We put people at the heart of everything we do and are proud of the extensive benefits we offer.

This role is based in Farnborough, Hampshire with 2 days per week in the office. Our office is within walking distance of the train station and has free parking. This is a full-time position, however work life balance is important to us and so we are open to discussion on flexible working patterns (minimum 4 days per week).

Salary: £100,000 - £110,000 + bonus

About The Role

This is a new key leadership position responsible for overseeing the development and management of our Inghams & Santa’s Lapland product proposition ensuring it is market leading, sustainable, in line with our brand vision and commercially viable. You’ll have a deep understanding of prospective customer needs, barriers, and behaviours – as well as the competitive landscape. Commercially astute and analytical, you’ll combine strategic thinking with a strong operational grasp of tour operating. You will plan, review, and propose enhancements to our product based on data and insight, ensuring solutions are not only operationally viable but also aligned with our sustainability goals. Your focus will be on driving relevance for our customers, improving long-term profitability, and supporting our commitment to responsible travel.

About

As the figurehead for the Product, Purchasing, Sustainability and Risk & Safety teams, you'll be seen as an influencer and credible sounding board for decisions across the business and will create enthusiasm and excitement about our products throughout the company. This will involve working closely with various teams – such as Sales, Operations, Marketing and Commercial as we succeed in smashing commercial and quality targets. Areas of responsibility are:

• Strategic product and purchasing development
• Sustainability, risk and safety
• Supplier relationship management
• Leadership and team development
• Market analysis and competitive benchmarking
• Cross-functional collaboration
  
  

Am I the right person? We are looking for your application to demonstrate:

• The ability to define and communicate a clear product and purchasing strategy that inspires and aligns the team with company goals.
• A strong understanding and commitment to sustainable travel practices, with the ability to integrate environmental and social responsibility into product and purchasing decisions.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse market trends and data to inform strategy.
• Commitment to delivering outstanding travel experiences and exceeding customer expectations.
• The ability to balance commercial goals with environmental and social responsibility.
• A proven track record in successful product development and strategic purchasing management.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to adapt quickly, prioritise effectively, and deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.
• A strong understanding of the travel and tourism industry, including market trends, customer needs, and competitor landscape.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills with experience in building, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams.
  
  

Sustainability and responsible tourism is at our core and our values will be close to your heart.

Diversity is to be celebrated. Life would be dreary, and change would be slow, if we all thought the same way. We challenge our ideas, each other, and our business partners - always with respect and kindness.

Inghams & Santa's Lapland are a part of Hotelplan Group, a well-established and diverse family of specialist tour operators, with a long tradition of developing and operating market-leading experiences. The family comprises ski and walking holidays with Inghams and Santa’s Lapland; adventure travel with Explore Worldwide; and self-guided experts, Inntravel.

Full Job Description Available On Request. No Agencies Please.

Inghams and Santa’s Lapland are part of Hotelplan UK, a Group of specialist tour operators.

As a Group we are incredibly passionate about the holidays we sell, and our employees both in the UK and Overseas are focussed on ensuring that we meet, indeed exceed, the expectations of our customers.

Our vision - “To be the most loved travel company in our markets, famous for customer experience and sustainable travel”.