Sales Manager DACH - Japan Specialist (2)

About Kuoni Tumlare

At Kuoni Tumlare, we deliver truly inspiring and innovative solutions and experiences that create value both for our Partners and Society at large. Our wide portfolio of products and solutions is built on 100+ years of destination management experience.

Our solutions include series tours, technical visits, educational tours, Japanspecialist travel consulting, as well as meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Our product portfolio includes MyBus excursions at destinations as well as guaranteed departure tours devised and delivered by our Seat-in-Coach specialists, Europamundo (EMV) and MyBus Landcruise. We cater to a wide range of customer needs in close collaboration with our trusted suppliers and powered by our team of destinations experts - enabling us to make a real difference to the world.

About the Business

Japanspecialist is part of the JTB Corporation, one of the world's most prominent travel companies. Founded in Japan in 1912, JTB has grown into a global force in the tourism industry, employing over 18,500 people across 35 countries. At Japanspecialist, we are dedicated to offering unforgettable travel experiences to Japan and beyond. With our 360° approach to travel design, we create tailor-made journeys that cover flights, accommodation, guided tours, excursions, and other specialized arrangements.

About the Role

We are seeking a native German-speaking, dynamic, and results-driven Sales Manager to expand Japanspecialist’s business into the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) markets. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth, establishing our brand presence in these key regions, and leading our sales team. With a strong background in the travel industry, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in both B2C and B2B sales, the successful candidate will work closely with our team to consistently meet and exceed sales targets.

This is an exciting role for an entrepreneurial and well connected Sales Manager to develop X3 markets in a growing and interesting area of the industry.  The sky is the limit and the right person can expect quick development and learning opportunities and be at the beginning of a phenomenal growth journey.

Key Activities

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective sales strategies that align with overall business goals to consistently meet or exceed revenue targets.

• Lead, motivate, and mentor the sales team to ensure both individual and team success.

• Actively prospect for and acquire new B2B accounts.

• Gain market share within the B2C segment through targeted strategies.

• Engage in proactive daily sales activities and consult directly with clients to understand their needs.

• Collaborate with the marketing team to design and execute effective sales campaigns and promotional activities.

• Oversee social media campaigns and review content translation to ensure localized messaging.

• Work closely with the operations team to support product development that resonates with the DACH market.

• Monitor market trends, customer needs, and competitor activity to identify opportunities for business growth.

• Prepare and deliver regular sales reports, forecasts, and actionable insights to management.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with airlines and other key partners.

• Provide excellent customer service, ensuring prompt resolution of escalated issues and inquiries.

• Stay informed about industry developments, emerging trends, and competitor offerings to maintain a competitive edge.

• Represent the company at industry events and networking opportunities to foster relationships and brand awareness.

Staff management

• Foster a healthy, productive work environment that encourages team success.

• Take overall responsibility for staff training, coaching, and development to build a high-performing team.

• Ensure fair and balanced task distribution and monitor workload effectively.

• Coordinate vacation and emergency planning to ensure team efficiency.

• Conduct regular staff performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.

• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and standards of discipline.

• Proactively manage attendance and resolve any staffing issues.

• Maintain open lines of communication with staff, regularly sharing updates and information

Requirements

To Succeed in the Role, You Should Have:

Knowledge/Skills

• Degree qualified preferably in Economics / Tourism related field

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in sales management within the travel industry, with a proven ability to achieve targets.

• Strong financial acumen, with an understanding of sales forecasting, budgeting, and related finance topics

• Solid experience in customer service, including handling emergency situations and escalations

• Strong technical skills in Microsoft Office.

• Business-level fluency in German and business-level proficiency in English; other languages are a plus.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and drive a team to success.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with clients, partners, and internal teams.

• Knowledge of Japan as a destination or fluency in Japanese is a plus.

We Are Looking for a Person With:

• A deep understanding of the travel industry, including current market trends and challenges.

• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.

• A creative, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

• A self-driven, results-oriented mindset with a passion for achieving sales targets.

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

• Excellent negotiation and closing skills.

• A willingness to travel regularly within Europe as part of the role.

What We Offer:

• Global Brand: Opportunity to work in an international environment.

• Competitive Salary

• Stability: 100 Years at the top of our field and still pushing into new territory

• Progression: We reward high performers and look to promote key talent internally

• Learning and Development opportunities for growth and Upskilling

• A Supportive Management Culture and autonomous working environment

• Company Wide Bonus Scheme

• Dedicated Employee Engagement Activities

• Flexible & Hybrid Working

• Annual Awards and Recognition for high Performers

• Friendly and Collaborative work environment