Global Travel Associate Manager at Ecolab

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Apply Now

Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Travel, Procurement, Corporate ServicesIndustries

Requirements

University Degree, preferably in Business Management areas
Minimum 5 years experience in travel management for a multinational company
Strong data analytical and communication skills
High degree of problem-solving and decision-making ability
Demonstrated cross-functional leadership
Ability to represent Ecolab’s interests to outside professionals and suppliers
Fluency in English (speak/write business in English) is a must

Responsibilities

Plan, implement, and manage all aspects of the organization’s corporate travel program on a global scale over $300 million spend
Optimize travel policies, negotiate with suppliers, monitor compliance to policy, and ensure traveller safety and satisfaction
Collaborate with Corporate and Procurement stakeholders to develop a long-term global travel strategy adapting to business needs, market conditions, and industry trends
Strategize all travel-related topics (airlines, hotels, car rental, rail, travel management companies, internal meetings and events, car fleet) in terms of processes, tools, systems, and policies
Optimize supplier service levels (delivery, costs, and quality) by selecting, negotiating, and managing commercial relationships with suppliers
Review existing processes, systems, and policies with stakeholders to recommend, approve, and implement changes, and define travel & procurement management strategy
Lead global preferred Travel Management Company (TMC) and travel online booking tool implementation/improvements worldwide and monitor compliance
Oversee and manage TMC relationships
Establish recognition as the global owner of the travel category
Gather local stakeholders, establish a global travel community to implement global strategy and best practices locally
Establish and communicate category best practices and industry best practices to improve processes, encourage correct user behavior, generate savings, and create value
Provide inputs to Procurement for sourcing airlines, hotels, car rental, and TMCs, defining objectives, resources, timelines, specifications, and supplier selection criteria
Support identifying cost-saving opportunities for Procurement to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers
Establish and continuously improve the category strategy aligned with business needs
Establish meaningful KPIs to drive savings from negotiations, demand management, and improved user behavior
Provide recurring reporting on cost savings, cost avoidance, and other category-relevant KPIs
Follow up on supplier performance via dashboards, governance models, or similar
Build and maintain strong relationships with travel suppliers
Monitor supplier performance and address issues promptly
Mitigate travel-related risks by providing guidance on health, safety, insurance, and security
Establish crisis protocols for handling emergencies and unexpected events
Proactively work with suppliers to strengthen business relations (reduce lead-times, improve supply chain performance, reduce costs)
Integrate sustainability practices into the travel program, promoting environmentally friendly options and responsible behaviors

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Travel ManagementSupplier NegotiationProcurement StrategyPolicy ComplianceStakeholder CollaborationTravel SystemsOnline Booking ToolsTMC ManagementProcess ImprovementGlobal StrategyContract ManagementRisk ManagementCost OptimizationTravel PolicyVendor Management

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this position?

The position is based in the Barcelona Office with a hybrid model.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills and experiences are required for this role?

The role requires expertise in travel program management, supplier negotiation, policy optimization, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic sourcing with a focus on processes, systems, and compliance monitoring.

What does the team structure look like for this position?

The role involves collaborating with Corporate and Procurement stakeholders, gathering local stakeholders, establishing a global travel community, leading the Travel Management Company relationship, and building relationships with travel suppliers.

What makes a strong candidate for this Global Travel Associate Manager role?

Strong candidates will have proven experience managing large-scale global travel programs, negotiating with suppliers, optimizing processes and policies, and driving cost savings through strategic sourcing and compliance.