Supplier Operations Assistant

Excited to grow your career?

We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions. If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Our people make all the difference in our success. 

About the Department: 

The Supplier Operations team is part of our greater Trip Development Department, comprised of contract administrators and data specialists located in Berkeley, CA and Utrecht, Netherlands. The team is responsible for reaching agreements with our 3,500+ subcontracted vendors and partners, which include some of the world’s most remarkable restaurants, transportation vendors, and experience providers. This team is focused on building relationships and confirming services with our partners in a timely manner that yields the best outcome for both the vendor and Backroads, and plays a key role in providing amazing experiences for our guests. 

About the role:

The Supplier Operations Assistant plays a critical role within the Supplier Operations team, working to support the them in confirming services with our vendors by performing a variety of administrative tasks. This role is a great introduction to Backroads as it touches many different parts our internal systems while generating contracts, sending cancel letters, verifying supplier information, and executing various business critical projects. You'll also assist with a wide range of projects based on business needs and collaborate with stakeholders across multiple departments; providing you the opportunity to learn several aspects of the organization.

What you'll be doing:

• Support the Supplier Operations team with vendor follow-ups and sending status updates
• Request & confirm various critical trip elements, including but not limited to permits
• Internal systems support: uploading documents for field use, updating field operations data, managing department inbox, sending cancel letters, etc.
• Special projects: Assist with ongoing special project needs for Trip Development, Rooming & Yield departments
• Scope, plan, and conduct analyses in support of strategic and operational projects
• Work cross-functionally to support multiple stakeholders & teams
• Clearly and concisely communicate findings to key stakeholders
• Get stuff done! Work closely with the entire Trip Development team to make sure our operations are functioning like a finely tuned machine at all time, regardless of the task required.

What you'll need to be successful:

• Strong Communicator. You will have extensive correspondence that relies on you being conversant in our systems, timelines, guidelines and terminology.
• Organized. You’re an efficient time-manager and can handle the pressure of meeting multiple strict deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with a team. You will be collaborating and often contributing to discussions amongst internal teams; you also work effectively without a lot of support or structure.
• Problem-Solver. As an action-oriented self-starter, you’re eager to apply your expertise in diagnosing inefficiencies, determining root causes, and recommending solutions to complex challenges.
• Personable. You establish and nurture highly effective relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders that support and advance project goals and objectives.
• Credible. Ability to quickly develop a thorough understanding of Backroads business timelines and providing administrative support, you quickly establish credibility as a reliable resource.

Work environment:

• Berkeley, CA
• 4 days in office, 1 day work from home