Subcontracts Commercial Manager

Company Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Subcontracts Commercial Manager to join our commercial team. This critical role requires strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key suppliers, negotiating contracts, and driving cost savings across the organisation.
• Reviewing and analysing existing contracts to identify improvement opportunities and implement new contract structures.
• Ensuring proper incorporation of commercial flow down requirements into subcontracts and raising risks between up and down contracts at the appropriate level.
• Identifying areas of non-compliance or poor performance with suppliers and developing corrective action plans.
• Monitoring supplier performance, identifying potential risks to the business, and developing mitigation strategies.
• Conducting market research and collaborating with internal stakeholders to develop supply chain strategies in support of future opportunities.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate:

• Experience in Subcontract Management and/or commercial roles within the Defence Industry or related sectors.
• Proven track record of success in negotiating contracts and driving cost savings, with demonstrable examples of significant achievements.
• Strong familiarity with the Defence Industry, including knowledge of relevant regulations, compliance requirements, and industry-specific contract structures.
• Degree or professional certification (e.g., CIPS, IACCM) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to review complex contracts, identify risks, and propose mitigation strategies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel for data analysis and PowerPoint for presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in developing and implementing supply chain strategies to support business growth and efficiency.
• Knowledge of international trade regulations and experience in managing global supply chains is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven ability to achieve favourable terms and conditions in complex contractual agreements.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and influence decision-making at senior levels.

Additional Information

Starting salary for this position is £52,000 - £65,000 depending on experience plus our excellent flexible benefits package. We offer hybrid working - for this role ideally we are looking for an average of 2 days per week per month on site. We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:

• A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off.
• A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits.

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!

Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please email [email protected] if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme. All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.