Commercial Manager

Job Description

An established and growing specialist contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Commercial Manager to take a senior role within the business.

This is a broad position combining commercial management with operational oversight, working closely with the Directors and taking responsibility for the commercial performance of projects, internal teams and the wider supply chain.

The successful candidate will ideally come from a drylining, ceilings, partitions or interior fit-out background, although candidates with relevant experience working for a main contractor will also be considered.

The client is also open to hearing from current Directors or experienced senior professionals aspiring to Director level, particularly those who are looking for the opportunity to take on broader commercial and operational responsibility.

The Role

The Commercial Manager will work closely with the Directors and wider management team, helping oversee the day-to-day commercial and operational performance of the business.

Responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the commercial performance of live projects.
• Reviewing project costs, margins, forecasts and commercial reporting.
• Monitoring project profitability and identifying commercial risks.
• Overseeing and supporting Quantity Surveyors and other commercial staff.
• Reviewing valuations, variations, applications and final accounts.
• Supporting contract negotiations and commercial decision-making.
• Working closely with operational and project teams to ensure projects are commercially controlled.
• Reviewing subcontractor and supplier costs.
• Overseeing elements of the buying and procurement function.
• Reviewing purchasing performance and ensuring materials and subcontract packages are procured competitively.
• Reporting regularly to the Directors on project performance, costs, forecasts and commercial risks.
• Supporting the Directors with wider operational matters across the business.
• Helping improve internal commercial processes, reporting and controls.
• Assisting with workload planning, project delivery and resource requirements.
• Building strong relationships with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Supporting the continued growth and development of the company.

Experience Required

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong experience within drylining, ceilings, partitions, interior fit-out or specialist contracting.
• Alternatively, relevant commercial experience with a fit-out main contractor.
• Previous experience as a Commercial Manager, Operations Manager . Senior Quantity Surveyor, Managing Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Lead, Operational Lead, Commercial Director or Operations Director or similar.
• A strong understanding of subcontractor commercial management.
• Experience reviewing project costs, CVRs, forecasts and margins.
• Good knowledge of procurement and supply-chain management.
• Experience managing or mentoring commercial staff.
• The ability to work closely with operational teams as well as Directors.
• Strong commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge costs and project performance.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Career Opportunity

This is not intended to be a purely traditional Commercial Manager position.

The successful candidate will become an important member of the senior management team and will have exposure to both the commercial and operational sides of the business.

For the right individual, there is genuine scope for the position to develop further as the company continues to grow, with the potential to progress towards an Operations/ Commercial Director in the future.

Equally, the business would welcome discussions with an established Director who is attracted by the opportunity to join a growing specialist contractor and play a key part in its future development.

This could therefore suit an experienced Commercial Manager looking for broader responsibility, an ambitious senior commercial professional ready to take the next step, or an existing Director seeking a new long-term opportunity.