Careers

Trade Sales Manager – Holiday Best

Holiday Best is a growing UK Tour Operator with an expanding presence in the UK travel industry.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Trade Sales Manager to strengthen our relationships with travel trade partners, increase brand awareness and drive bookings through our trade distribution network.

The successful candidate will focus on developing existing partnerships, improving conversion rates and identifying opportunities to establish new business-to-business relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional with an established network of industry contacts, proven management experience and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Position Details

• Position: Trade Sales Manager
• Department: Sales & Marketing
• Location: Brentwood, Essex
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid Role
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week
• Schedule: Weekdays, with flexibility for shift hours, occasional Saturdays and evening events when required.

Key Responsibilities

The following responsibilities outline the general nature of the role. Additional duties may be assigned as required.

• Manage and develop all trade relationships across the UK market.
• Expand Holiday Best's distribution network, improve brand visibility and drive measurable revenue growth through Travel Agents, Homeworking Agents, Consortia and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).
• Develop and implement commercial account plans, monitor weekly trading performance and identify opportunities to increase business growth.
• Create and maintain internal training resources, training modules and regional documentation to support trade sales conversion.
• Represent Holiday Best at trade events, conferences, familiarisation trips (FAM Trips) and webinars, delivering engaging presentations and building strong industry relationships.
• Work closely with the Marketing Team to develop effective trade marketing strategies and ensure the timely implementation of agreed plans.
• Provide relevant data and feedback to Product and Operations departments to support competitive product development and pricing strategies.
• Establish and deliver an effective onboarding process for new travel agency partners.
• Monitor competitor activities and developments within the leisure travel industry, sharing relevant insights with Holiday Best leadership.
• Ensure sales activities are progressing towards agreed goals, targets and commercial objectives.
• Organise promotional visits and presentations for prospective partners, including incentive schemes designed to increase sales.
• Perform additional related duties and responsibilities as required.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Proven experience within a trade sales environment, with confidence in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and across the travel trade.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple assignments.
• A cooperative and collaborative approach when working with colleagues across different departments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with trade partners.
• Excellent sales, customer relationship management, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative and exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to prepare professional reports, correspondence, agreements and budget projections.
• Ability to anticipate potential challenges and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• A strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Experience & Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in sales, business development or account management within the travel industry, including responsibility for strategic or commercial accounts.
• Adaptable, flexible and comfortable working in a fast-paced and changing commercial environment.
• A valid driving licence and access to a personal vehicle for business travel.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK and overseas, including attending trade events that may take place during the evenings.

Working Hours & Location

This is a hybrid position, with our Head Office located in Brentwood, Essex.

The role involves 37 working hours per week, primarily on weekdays, with flexibility around working hours and occasional Saturday work depending on business requirements.

Regular travel within the UK and overseas will be required. Flexibility is essential, as some trade events and industry activities take place during the evenings.

How to Apply

If you feel you would be a strong fit for this role and have the relevant experience and skills, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter in confidence to:

Nicola Cheater
Email: nicola.cheater@holidaybest.com
Mobile: 07515 177726

Apply Now →

Equal Opportunities Employer

Holiday Best Tour Operator is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation or age.

Call Centre Team Leader – Holiday Best

Are you passionate about sales and developing high-performing teams? Do you have experience within the travel and tourism industry?

Holiday Best Tour Operator is currently recruiting for a Call Centre Team Leader to manage a team of approximately five Sales & Customer Service Advisors.

This role is ideal for a motivated individual seeking the next step in their career, with opportunities to progress within a growing company.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone currently in a supervisory role who is eager to develop and make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop the team to meet and exceed sales targets, service standards, and business objectives.
• Review calls and written communications, providing constructive feedback and identifying missed sales opportunities.
• Support recruitment, selection, induction, training, and ongoing development of team members to attract and retain top talent.
• Monitor individual and team performance against agreed KPIs, ensuring all customer interactions are handled professionally and effectively.
• Implement reward and recognition initiatives, promote best practices, and foster a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints in a timely and professional manner.
• Work closely with the Trade Manager, Reservations Manager and wider Holiday Best departments.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience working to sales targets.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience within the travel and tourism industry (essential).
• Call centre experience (desirable).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in performance management.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Working Hours & Location

This is an office-based role located in Brentwood, Essex.

Call Centre Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Core hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm. Due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to work late evenings and weekends on a flexible basis to support the operation.

How to Apply

If you feel you would be a strong fit for this role and have the relevant experience, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter in confidence, along with your salary expectations, to:

Email: hr@holidaybest.com

Apply for This Position →

Further Information

For further information, please contact Nicola Cheater.

Email: nicola.cheater@holidaybest.com

Phone: 07515 177726

Holiday Best Tour Operator is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or age.