Commercial Manager (Africa)

Altrad Sparrows is looking for a Commercial Manager for our Africa contracts to be based in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

The role is mainly for our operation in Africa. However, this is purely based in Aberdeen with no requirements to travel.

This is permanent contract with full-time hours of 40 per week.

The main purpose of the role is to apply the highest standards of leadership, commercial and business acumen, to ensure that the commercial, financial and business targets agreed with the Sparrows Directorate are exceeded. The Commercial Manager will have an objective and proactive approach to commercial interaction with the client and build/manage a ‘customer facing’ commercial team capable of maintaining and developing meaningful relationships with all stakeholders. In addition, they will ensure that all commercial activities are carried out in line with company policies, procedures and relevant legislation.

Main responsibilities

Commercial and Financial Management

Ensuring that all commercial and financial transactions are completed to the highest ethical and professional standards and comply with the Sparrows Group policies by:

• Implementing/maintaining systems for reviewing all operating costs to ensure they are consistently aligned with focused revenue.
• Ensuring WIP and Debt are effectively managed with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring internal and external procurement is completed to maximise the financial benefit to the business.
• Seeking advice from the Financial, Commercial, and Legal Department Representatives.
• Ensuring team members seek advice from and respond in a timely manner to Finance, and Commercial Department staff.
• Develop and manage the commercial department in line with allocated budget.
• Responding quickly and thoroughly when issues regarding financial probity are suspected or identified.
• Maintain and develop relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Drive with Operations teams formulation and issuance of amendment, variations and contracts extensions, etc.

Ensuring that all orders and contracts are completed to the clients’ satisfaction while maximising the financial benefit to Sparrows by:

• Implementing Sparrows policies, standards and initiatives locally.
• Provide guidance to the Operations team on all commercial/contractual matters during execution of the work.
• Demonstrating excellent negotiation and communication skills with strong commercial and business acumen.
• Completing monthly and quarterly reporting to internal and external stakeholders detailing commercial performance and projections inclusive of pipelines, to agreed schedule.
• Reviewing operational processes to ensure maximum efficiency.

Ensuring that profit and business targets are agreed and achieved for the business by:

• Maintaining responsibility and accountability for all commercial aspects of the department as set out by line management, inclusive of regional costings for localised taxes.
• Contribute to and participate in month-end reviews.
• Review and implementing improvements to increase department profit margins.
• Consulting with and assisting the Regional Director in the setting of targets for all projects operational within the Africa market.
• Contributing towards business, operational and financial plans for both annual and strategic budgets.
• Develop in collaboration with Sales/BD and Operations teams commercially competitive responses strategy to tenders and RFQs whilst mitigating for commercial risks
• Review tender documents as required and provide necessary qualifications/exceptions as required to limit unreasonable commercial risk.
• Ensure that a review of the T&Cs are carried out and deviation from Contracting Principles elevated at the right level of management in accordance with current processes and procedure
• Ensure where required that back to back agreement to clients’ contracts are in put in place with suppliers and subcontractors
• Ensure that bids/proposals before submission are adequately supported by up to date technical and agency agreements.
• Maintain up to date library of commercial documents commonly required during the tendering or enquiry response process
• Raise commercial awareness through presentations and workshops to client facing staff

Personnel Management and Development

Ensuring that direct reports develop their own skills and experience for the benefit of the Company by:

• Mentoring of subordinates to ensure individuals are developed to fully meet their potential.
• Identifying personnel who meet the criteria for succession planning.
• Review, develop and agree roles and responsibilities for each commercial team member
• Conduct continuous improvement and annual performance appraisals.
• Ensure skills are developed within the team as required by company growth.

Following best in class people management practices and overseeing direct report’s fulfilment of these functions by:

• Seeking the advice of and providing information to the Human Resources Representative.
• Providing support with succession planning for key personnel.
• Effectively applying all HR policies and practices.
• Monitoring employee satisfaction levels in the business unit and offering guidance to direct reports as necessary.
• Demonstrating a strong, creative and proactive approach to management together with excellent interpersonal, communication and motivational skills.

Contributing to the development of new systems, procedures and initiatives that will assist the Sparrows Group of Companies by:

• Taking part in senior management team meetings.
• Contributing to special meetings and working parties.
• Regularly identifying necessary process and business improvements and taking steps to implement.
• Ensure each area/department operates in compliance with all legal requirements.
• Participating in knowledge sharing of best practices between colleagues.

HSEQ responsibilities

• It is mandatory that the incumbent is familiar with the Company\’s HSEQ Policy and takes an active role in the compliance and improvement of Sparrows Integrated Management System. The incumbent must report any incidents, near misses, actual or potential problems with products, services or systems to their Line Manager.
• The incumbent also has legal responsibilities under country-specific health and safety legislation to follow all Company processes and procedures and familiarise themselves with the emergency response arrangements applicable to them. The incumbent is also responsible for the health and safety arrangements of subordinates (if any) and for any persons visiting them while on the Company premises.

Qualifications and experience

• Finance Degree.
• Experience of working in a Senior Business role within an Oil and Gas service company.
• Proven track record in commercial, and finance role. Ideally with at least 8 years of experience.
• Experience of managing teams, identifying training needs, developing and monitoring their performance.
• Positive team working collaboration.

Altrad Sparrows is a specialist lifting and mechanical handling contractor that delivers equipment, technology and integrated engineering services to the global energy industry. Our solutions support our clients to optimise their efficiency by ensuring the performance, reliability and safety of critical equipment and people.

With our headquarters in Aberdeen, we employ over 1,600 people across numerous operational locations across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Insurance – Family Cover
• Company Pension
• Car Allowance
• Life Assurance (3x salary)
• Free On-Site Parking
• Sick Pay
• 30 Days Annual Leave Plus 4 Statutory days
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Electric Vehicle Scheme

* Candidates must be based and have right to work in the UK

For further information about this role, please don\’t hesitate to contact Inah Richardson (Recruitment Coordinator) at inah.richardson@altrad.com.