Senior Category Manager - Travel

Travel Category Manager

Key Responsibilities

1. Sales & Business Growth

• Drive top-line sales growth across B2C, B2B, and corporate travel segments.
• Build and manage key partnerships with travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and DMCs (Destination Management Companies).
• Develop and implement sales strategies, incentive plans, and channel expansion initiatives.
• Identify new revenue opportunities and emerging travel trends to capture market share.

2. Operations & Service Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end travel operations, ensuring seamless itinerary management, vendor coordination, and customer satisfaction.
• Standardize processes for bookings, cancellations, refunds, and escalations.
• Implement technology-led solutions to improve efficiency, cost control, and service quality.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, contracts, and legal requirements.

3. P&L Management

• Own the P&L for the travel category, driving profitability while balancing growth and operational efficiency.
• Monitor financial performance, conduct variance analysis, and drive cost optimization across sourcing, operations, and service delivery.
• Prepare regular MIS reports, forecasts, and strategic insights for leadership.
• Negotiate commercial contracts with vendors to maximize margins.

4. Product Creation & Innovation

• Conceptualize, design, and launch innovative travel products/packages (domestic & international tours, curated experiences, MICE, etc.).
• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and customer insights to design differentiated offerings.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to position products effectively across channels.
• Regularly refresh product portfolios to stay relevant with seasonal and experiential travel demands.

5. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing sales & operations team.
• Establish a performance-driven culture with clear KPIs, accountability, and growth opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, finance, and technology teams to align business objectives.
• Build a strong second line of leadership for future growth.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong business acumen with proven P&L ownership.
• Deep understanding of travel industry dynamics, distribution networks, and customer behavior.
• Excellent negotiation, vendor management, and strategic partnership skills.
• Proficiency in sales planning, forecasting, and execution.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and data-driven decision-making ability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Leadership skills to manage diverse teams across sales and operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• MBA or equivalent degree in Business, Tourism, or related field preferred.
• 10-12 years of experience in the

  travel/tourism/hospitality industry

  , with at least 4–5 years in a senior managerial capacity.
• Proven track record in scaling travel businesses, P&L management, and product creation.
• Strong industry network with airlines, hotels, OTAs, and travel partners.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead and shape the travel vertical in a growing organization.
• Entrepreneurial environment with high ownership and autonomy.
• Competitive compensation with performance-linked incentives.
• Exposure to global markets and partnerships.