Production Manager

**Job Description - Production Manager**

EF Education First is the world leader in international education. With more than 52,000 staff and teachers and with a presence in 115 countries around the world, our mission is simple: opening the world through education. Since we were founded in 1965, EF has helped more than 15 million people see the world, learn a language, or earn an academic degree.

The B2C Operations team currently supports two products within the EF Tours B2C division. EF Go Ahead Tours, is a tour operator focusing on the North American adult market, operating inclusive tours all around the world with a strong focus on immersive experiences. EF Ultimate Break is a tour operator allowing 18-35-year-old North American travelers to experience the world through 65+ immersive and fun group travel itineraries.

We are now looking for a **passionate leader with a nothing-is-impossible attitude and quality competence** to manage one of the Production teams for Go Ahead Tours in our dynamic and multi-national Production Headquarter in Zurich.

You and your team of Production Specialists will be responsible for procuring cost-effective and qualitative components and solutions for providing all services on tour while keeping our customer’s experience at the forefront.

**What you will do**:
In your role as Production Manager, your number one job will be to make sure you have a strong and motivated team that consistently ensures a memorable experience for our customers.
- **_ Team Management & Leadership -_** build a strong Production team of about 4-5 people around you providing strategic guidance to the team around their areas, and be a strong role model for their growth & development
- **_ Procurement, Negotiation & Contracting_**- support your team at sourcing and negotiating meals, guide services and entrance fees for the assigned geographies, while also scouting the market for potential new suppliers
- **_ Cost and Quality Management_**- meeting cost and process efficiency targets by giving EF access to favorable pricing and conditions whilst maintaining a high standard of quality and customer satisfaction
- **_ Strategy & Execution_**- actively participating in setting and delivering on mid to long term strategic direction and supplier segmentation for the area of responsibility
- **_ Supplier Relationship Management_**- manage relationships with current and potential supply base through the implementation of an SRM approach
- **_ Risk and Safety Management_**- proactively manage & monitor potential risk exposure & safety concerns
- **_ Budget and Cash Flow Management_**- continuously monitor, project, and deliver on costs according to a set plan, while also participating in the budget processes as part of the EF budget cycles
- **_ Technology_**- contribute to the development of technology solutions and the continuous improvement of current tools and processes
- **_ Market Knowledge, Trends and Innovation_**- being on the forefront of the supply market by consistently networking and researching within the industry, as well as gaining market insight into evolving trends in spend categories and geographies with a focus on bringing innovation to EF

Traveling is required for up to 30% of the time, depending on the season. This travel is necessary to be on the road, learning about the market, cultivating relationships with suppliers, and securing business agreements. Additionally, there is one opportunity per year to staff a tour and improve your customer service skills while representing the company for a few days, as well as your attendance to a global meeting overseas.

**Objectives for the role**:

- Develop a strong and thriving team of specialists through a successful onboarding experience, on-going professional development and consistent and timely feedback focusing on staff engagement and retention
- Manage supplier relationships and lead negotiations of pricing and commercial terms for assigned categories, geographies, and suppliers, all while meeting cost, quality, safety, and process efficiency requirements.
- Analyze, procure, and process adequate inventory and quality levels to meet forecasted demand, all while monitoring, projecting, and delivering on costs according to a set a plan

**Your characteristics**
- Can influence others positively and get buy in
- A creative problem solver with ability to prioritize, determine solution and delegate the execution
- Strong communication, negotiation skills and cultural awareness
- Strategic mindset whilst actively engaged to run day-to-day priorities
- Strong and proven analytical skills
- Agile and open-minded team player, with a solution-oriented, innovative, and driven mentality
- Entrepreneurial spirit and sense of ownership
- Relationship builder and networker
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- 1 -2 years Manager experience is preferred
- Interest and network in these fields is a bonus
- Bachelor’s degree or equivale