Manager of Travel

At ADS, no idea is off limits, and we celebrate creativity and bold moves.  For more than 50 years ADS has been manufacturing a variety of innovative and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional materials.  Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, we are a multi-billion dollar stormwater management company, manufacturing pipe and ancillary products. What does that mean? When it storms, we capture rain with our drain basins, convey it with pipe, store it using chambers and finally treat it with our water quality products, before safely returning water back to the environment. We handle, what we call, the entire lifecycle of a raindrop. Our products help prevent flooding, which increases quality of life for people living in large cities, suburbs, and rural towns. We also believe in creating a circular economy and are the largest plastic recycling company in North America. We use plastic shampoo and detergent bottles to create pipe, diverting over 500 million pounds of plastic from landfills every year. ADS operates a global network of over 60 manufacturing plants and 30 distribution centers. 

We have amazing stories to tell, and we need your help getting our story out there. To learn more about ADS, please visit our website at www.adspipe.com.

The successful candidate must bring high level of ethical, intellectual, professional, and personal values that complement the team.

• Strategic Mindset – anticipates future trends and implications accurately
• Decision Quality – relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions
• Customer Focus – identifies opportunities that benefit the business
• Business Insight – keeps up with current and possible future policies, practices, and trends in the organization, function, and in the marketplace
• Plans and Aligns – breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions
• Optimizes Work Processes – seeks ways to improve processes, from small tweaks to complete reengineering
• Ensures Accountability – establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results
• Collaborates – works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives
• Develops Talent – develops others through coaching, feedback, exposure, and stretch assignments
• Builds Effective Teams – forms teams with appropriate and diverse mix of styles, perspectives, and experience
• Drives Vision and Purpose – talks about future possibilities in a positive way
• Courage – faces difficult issues and supports others who do the same

As the Corporate Travel Manager, you will oversee and manage the travel programs for a large-scale, $2.9 billion company. This role is responsible for optimizing travel policy, ensuring cost-efficiency, and delivering a seamless travel experience for employees across various departments. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and travel management agencies to develop and implement best practices that align with corporate objectives and operational needs. This position offers an exciting opportunity to drive travel program strategy for the company, ensuring that the program supports our growth and culture.

Key Responsibilities

Travel Program Management

• Oversee the day-to-day management of the corporate travel program.
• Lead the strategy and execution of travel policies, ensuring they align with organizational goals, compliance standards, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the corporate travel strategy with an emphasis on cost optimization, employee experience, and sustainability.
• Track and report on travel data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all travel-related queries and provide support for any escalated travel issues.
• Maintain requirements for keeping Corporate Travel Department ARC appointment.
• Manage meeting/events and contract negotiations for such events.
• Work with risk management on Duty of Care.
• Provide support for Concur end users, system updates and training.

Vendor and Supplier Management

• Manage relationships with travel management company, airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, and other vendors to ensure the company receives best-in-class service and competitive pricing.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements with travel service providers to obtain optimal pricing, terms, and conditions.
• Evaluate and manage the performance of third-party vendors to ensure they meet SLAs, compliance requirements, and service level expectations.
• Leverage data analytics to continuously review and improve vendor performance, providing regular updates to leadership.

Policy Development & Compliance

• Develop, communicate, and enforce travel policies that promote safety, cost-efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Ensure policies and procedures are compliant with applicable regulations and industry best practices.
• Monitor travel policy compliance across the organization and handle non-compliance cases as necessary.
• Provide guidance and training to employees regarding travel policy and best practices.

Technology & Reporting

• Oversee the implementation and ongoing use of corporate travel management tools and software platforms.
• Use travel data and analytics to generate reports and insights that inform travel decisions and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Maintain accurate travel records, ensuring proper documentation for auditing purposes.
• Employee Experience & Support
• Champion a positive travel experience for employees, ensuring that the travel process is efficient and enjoyable.
• Provide timely assistance and resolution to employees experiencing travel disruptions or issues.
• Stay up-to-date with travel trends and innovations that could improve the overall travel experience for the company’s employees.
• Lead employee education and awareness campaigns regarding the travel program, new policies, and available resources.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Travel Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing corporate travel programs, preferably in a large, global organization.
• Strong understanding of travel management software (e.g., Concur, Sabre, ARC, ).
• Experience negotiating contracts with travel suppliers and managing vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of travel industry trends, regulations, and compliance standards.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• High level of organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other relevant software applications.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in all tasks.
• Ability to adapt to changing business environments and manage competing priorities.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor meetings, conferences, or corporate events.
• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a $2.9 billion company with a global presence and a dynamic growth trajectory.
• Work in a collaborative and innovative environment that supports professional growth and development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership development

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ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.