Japanese Market Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Primary Responsibilities:  Under general direction of the Assistant Manager, Group Planning and Sales Promotion Department, the Specialist 1 is responsible for inquires; availability, promote, sell, purchase, plan, arrange, and coordinate group tours.

Percent Time Spent

Essential Functions

20%

Research and Review Customer Requirements

- Research, review tour and customers’ requirements, and utilize information to support creating related programs.

- Meet with tour escorts or organizers to promote tours.  Attend site inspections and meetings.

20%

Consult and Negotiate

-  Check availability of hotels, banquets, restaurants and other venues, and negotiate price as needed to support JTB sales offices to compete with other agents.

-  Plan, sell, organize, arrange, input data into TOGO system, and coordinate special events for various group tours and individual customers.

-  Contact, consult, and negotiate with business partners to book hotels, activities, and arrange special events. Transmit details of tour arrangements to personnel in all departments of JTB Hawaii and to sales offices in Japan.

-  Research information related to hotels, banquets, restaurants and other locations; respond to inquiries from all clients, and provide updated information to JTB USA JAPAN and JTB sales offices in Japan.

20%

Provide Information

-  Provide information to JTB USA JAPAN and JTB sales offices about hotels, banquets and new products to increase profit for each tour.

-  Coordinate and conduct sales efforts of Tourism and Events.

20%

Review Procedures and Improve Effectiveness

-  Review procedures and improve effectiveness of operations to maintain a high level of work accuracy and productivity.

20%

Assist with Handling Group Tours and Events

-  Assist with handling group tours and events and related projects for annual and special events, and technical visits for incentive tours.

 Secondary Functions:

• Serve as backup in absence of Assistant Manager, Group Planning and Sales Promotion.
• Assist with Japanese or English translations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• College degree
• Possess a minimum of at least two (2) – three (3) years’ experience in the travel industry with emphasis on the Japanese market preferred.
• Possess knowledge of SIT (Special Interest Tour) preferred.

• Possess knowledge of Japanese corporate incentive tour "MICE" (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) and experience of its operation preferred.
• Able to professionally and effectively communicate with employees, business partners, and clients in English and Japanese, via written and verbal communication methods.
• Possess working knowledge of Hawaii’s tourism infrastructure, Japanese tour characteristics, and Japanese culture and customs.
• Able to work independently and work cooperatively with employees, business partners, and customers in a professional and positive manner.
• Possess working knowledge and skills with basic computer systems and software, application programs, presentation programs, e-mail and standard office equipment.
• Possess working knowledge of JTB’s in-house computer applications and systems.
• Possess valid driver’s license with clean abstract. 

Working Conditions:

Working Hours            

• Up to 40 hours per week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and as deemed necessary. 
• Overtime may be required with prior management approval. 

Working Environment

• Air-conditioned office or, remote workplace.
• Occasional travel to various locations outside of the office and Hawaii, where weather conditions may vary, but not limited to noise, pollution, dust, fumes and vehicle exhaust.

Equipment Used

PC, printer, digital camera, digital video camera, facsimile machine, copy machine, and other standard office equipment, company vehicle (with prior approval from Corporate Operations).

Physical and Mental Demands

• Constant – sitting, walking, vision, hearing, eye-hand-foot coordination;
• Frequent – carrying less than 25 pounds, stair climbing;
• Occasional – pushing, pulling/lifting less than 25 pounds to 50 pounds, carrying 25-50 pounds;
• Seldom – pulling/lifting/carrying more than 50 pounds;
• Able to visualize, articulate, and solve complex problems and concepts, and make decisions based on available information;
• Able to use judgment and discretion while handling stressful situations and effectively plan and organize duties to meet deadlines;
• Able to handle multiple tasks;
• Able to work with concentration, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Communication Demands

• Constant – requires talking and written communication to co-workers, customers, outside trade persons/vendors, talking on the telephone, responding to written or verbal requests of co-workers and vendors, training/giving verbal instructions, receiving verbal and written instructions, writing/composing written language, reading, visiting/working at different worksites.
• Not applicable - does not supervise others.

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