Manager, Distribution

**Reports To**:
Senior Manager, Sales Planning & Insights

**Role Purpose**:
Responsible for leading, developing, and managing the distribution operations. The main objective is to create an agile structure within the distribution unit, enhancing the day-to-day management of GDS Distribution Cost, BIDT Auditing, and the enforcement of ADM. Responsible to develop and introduce NDC as an alternative distribution channel and managing the DSS Helpdesk with its various aspects.

**Key Accountability**:

- Manage and develop a high-performing team, fostering knowledge enhancement and creating an overall agile workforce capable of adapting to new challenges and tasks.
- Take accountability for budgeting GDS, NDC, Auditing, Polling, and ongoing costs for services covered under the HD (Oneworld, GDS, MEDA) and project costs, ensuring compliance with the pre-approved budget. Furthermore, I oversee the implementation and regular update of SOPs for all work streams and functions.
- Analyze and optimize the distribution ecosystem, providing a high-level overview to management and guiding peers on cost optimization strategies. This includes engaging with Revenue Management (RM) and Regional Sales to enhance the distribution process.
- Develop a robust distribution infrastructure to establish NDC as the lead, ensuring support from Regional Sales, Revenue Management, and IT departments. This involves piloting the solution and providing a platform for Malaysia Airlines to roll out NDC as a preferred and enhanced distribution capability.
- Manage contractual obligations with internal and external stakeholders, preparing management papers and necessary presentations to obtain internal approvals as per governance guidelines.
- Drive changes after thorough evaluation, constantly challenging the status quo to identify alternative methods and approaches that support the commercial division as a second-level support whenever possible.
- Establish an auditable reporting capability and enforce tracking capability across the board, ensuring accountability and compliance.
- Undertake any other tasks/functions falling under the DSS Helpdesk in the future.

**Qualifications & Working Experience**:
Bachelor's degree in business, IT, Computer Science, or a related discipline, coupled with over 7 years of relevant experience. Ideally, a minimum of 7 years of experience in 1A Reservation & Ticketing System or similar domains.

**Skills & Knowledge**:

- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Reservation & Ticketing, with the ability to troubleshoot and analyze route causes.
- Display leadership skills in the development of a multi-skilled and agile workforce, utilizing the company's performance management tools.
- Possess a strong technical background, enabling the effective communication of instructions to a non-technical audience.
- Maintain a customer-service-oriented approach, coupled with a problem-solving attitude.

**Key Challenges**:

- Continuously maintain and enhance knowledge to stay up to date with industry advancements and best practices.
- Take accountability for managing overall distribution costs for classic channels (EdiFact) while simultaneously developing and introducing new channels (NDC).
- Ensure that distribution costs remain a focal point during the roll-out of new features, while supporting the digital strategy under LTPB 2.0.
- Create a robust NDC Support infrastructure within the internal HD, enabling efficient operations.
- Manage and address contractual obligations with GDS partners, ensuring compliance with existing agreements.