Assistant Commercial Manger in Chorley

Advantage NRG has been the undisputed leader and pre-eminent provider of self-managed labour solutions to the Overhead Line (OHL) industry across the UK. Our success is built on an unwavering commitment to excellence, achieved through collaborative partnerships with all major contractors in the sector. This dedication has earned us an unparalleled and trusted reputation. Our operations are guided by our core, non-negotiable mantra: Safety, Quality, and Productivity.

Advantage NRG is embarking on a period of exciting and ambitious strategic growth. Our clear objective is to significantly increase our operational capacity, with a target to grow our site-based workforce to 500 personnel by 2028. To successfully support and manage this substantial expansion, a pivotal new opportunity has been created within our central management team.

We are actively seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our team in the full-time position of Assistant Commercial Manager. This is a critical, senior support role designed to drive commercial efficiency and ensure financial integrity across our growing portfolio of projects.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

• Extensive Experience: A proven and demonstrable track record of success in a relevant commercial, quantity surveying, or management role within the construction or energy sector.
• Dynamic and Proactive: A highly energetic, self-starting approach with the ability to independently drive commercial initiatives, overcome challenges and pre-emptively manage risk.
• Adaptable: The capability to thrive, maintain focus, and deliver results in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and constantly evolving industry environment.
• A "People Person": Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, coupled with a genuine aptitude for building and maintaining strong, professional relationships with both internal teams and external clients.
• Team-Oriented Culture Fit: A deep willingness to fully integrate with and contribute positively to our existing, dynamic and happy "one big family" team culture.

Core Responsibilities

• Commercial Team Leadership & Administration: Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and direction for the team of Commercial Assistants. Manage the shared commercial email inbox and strategically delegate tasks and workflow to the team members. Assist the Commercial Director with formal team appraisals, probation reviews and the interviewing process for new commercial staff. Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive training programmes for new team members to ensure a high standard of commercial competence from the outset.
• Financial Control and Invoicing Management: Oversee and manage the complete weekly and monthly client invoicing cycle, ensuring that all applications for payment and subsequent invoices are dispatched accurately and on time, strictly in line with contractual and framework requirements. Generate invoices using the company's specialist software, adhering to specific customer payment schedules, agreed rate cards, and all framework agreements. Maintain oversight of all client invoicing platforms and portals. Control the process of client invoicing, liaising closely with the Operations Managers, Payroll, HR and Accounts departments to ensure the absolute accuracy of weekly timesheets, operative records, and subsequent invoicing to clients.
• Project Commercial Management & Administration: Oversight of the new project creation process within the company system, actively chasing purchase orders, client approvals, or missing project details to ensure seamless setup. Documenting and standardising new commercial processes and procedures for all new clients and sites. Communicate all new projects, including commercial terms, across the business on a weekly basis to ensure operational and financial alignment. Ensure that all labour supply subcontracts, rates, and framework agreements are formally established, documented, and agreed upon prior to project commencement. Working with the operations team to ensure all project records and operative certifications are correctly received, processed and maintained. Support other parts of Advantage NRG and the parent company, Hercules PLC, when required.
• Aged Debt and Query Resolution: Assist the Commercial Director with detailed aged debtors reviews and the proactive management of outstanding client queries. In conjunction with the Commercial Director and Accounts Receivable Manager, work to proactively reduce outstanding client queries and improve the overall position of aged debt. Proactively, professionally, and fairly resolve client queries relating to project records, operative roles, rates and invoicing discrepancies. Actively chase for subsequent payments to be received on the due date and keep the Commercial Director updated on any current or potential issues, ensuring no payment milestones are missed. Assist and support the resolution of complex queries and the chasing of outstanding or overdue invoices as required.
• Reporting and Senior Support: Assisting the Management Accountant and Commercial Director with the weekly financial profit report analysis for all projects. Assist the Commercial Director in preparing comprehensive commercial documents and tenders for key client submissions. Provide holiday cover for the Commercial Director, managing essential diverted emails and phone calls.

Required Skills & Specifications

• Contractual Experience: 5 years (preferably) of relevant working experience with NEC-type contracts, various framework agreements, and bespoke client contracts.
• Academic Qualification: A Degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Business Studies, or Finance.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel occasionally across different operational sites as required by the business.
• Teamwork: A dedicated and supportive team player with excellent collaborative skills.
• Industry Knowledge: A good understanding of the Overhead Line (OHL) industry is desirable but not strictly essential.

Role Progression

Progression from this role will naturally lead to a more senior position, with the Commercial Manager assuming greater responsibilities and benefits within the company.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting Salary: £40,000 - £50,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Benefits Package: Company Pension Scheme, On-Site Parking at Chorley Headquarters, Regular Company Events and Social Activities, A Great Team Environment and Supportive Company Culture, Cycle to Work Scheme, Hybrid working.