Principal Commercial Officer

Principal Commercial Officer

Preston Full-Time 37000 - 51000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Negotiate contracts and manage customer relationships while mentoring junior team members.
  • Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible health benefits, employee share plans, and potential annual incentives.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in an inclusive culture that values your potential and diverse backgrounds.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in contract management are essential; defence sector knowledge is a plus.
  • Other info: Relocation support available; inclusive recruitment processes for all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 37000 - 51000 £ per year.

Job Title: Principal Commercial Officer Location: Barrow-in-Furness Salary: £43,000+ depending on skills and experience What you’ll be doing: Reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and finalising contracts and commercial agreements with customers and suppliers Provision of contract management support, including contract administration, managing change, contract configuration and contract closure Customer relationship management: applying a high degree of customer focus, developing and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders Managing, developing and mentoring junior members of the team Your skills and experiences: Essential: Excellent communication skills Experience in drafting, writing and negotiating contracts Demonstrable client/customer relationship management; ability to forge strong working relationships Ability to present in senior management forums Desirable: Knowledge of terms and conditions, types of contracts, commercial skillset, risks and opportunities Defence sector experience Experience in managing and developing others Business acumen and Submarines product knowledge Benefits: As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive. The Commercial team: As a member of the Commercial Team, you will work cross-functionally and with the customer. Your primary role will be to support the contact preparations, negotiation, bidding, writing and drafting, configuring, and managing of contacts. These consist of multi-function teams, such as Project Management, Engineering, Technical Specialist, and Supply Chain. Career Development is fully supported within the team, with the opportunity to move up to management level along with skillset development through further education and recognised training to facilitate lateral moves within the wider BAE business. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. Why BAE Systems? This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks. Closing Date: 7 th May 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. #LI-SC1 #LI-Onsite #J-18808-Ljbffr

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Contact Detail:

BAE Systems (New) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Commercial Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific types of contracts and commercial agreements relevant to the defence sector. Understanding the nuances of these documents will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the defence industry, especially those who have experience in contract management. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals that could boost your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing and mentoring junior team members. Highlighting your leadership skills will be crucial, as the role involves developing others within the team.

✨Tip Number 4

Research BAE Systems' values and culture thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during the interview can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Commercial Officer

Excellent Communication Skills
Contract Drafting and Negotiation
Client/Customer Relationship Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Presentation Skills
Knowledge of Terms and Conditions
Commercial Awareness
Risk Management
Defence Sector Experience
Team Management and Development
Business Acumen
Submarines Product Knowledge
Change Management
Contract Administration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in drafting, writing, and negotiating contracts. Emphasise your communication skills and any relevant experience in customer relationship management.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are interested in the Principal Commercial Officer position at BAE Systems. Mention your understanding of the defence sector and how your skills align with the job requirements.

Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on specific examples where you managed contracts or developed client relationships. Use metrics to demonstrate your success in these areas.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would present your experience in senior management forums. Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior team members and managing change within contracts.

How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems (New)

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As a Principal Commercial Officer, excellent communication is key. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with clients or stakeholders.

✨Prepare for Contract Discussions

Since the role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, brush up on your knowledge of contract terms and conditions. Be ready to discuss specific contracts you've worked on, highlighting your negotiation strategies and how you managed any challenges that arose.

✨Demonstrate Relationship Management Skills

Customer relationship management is crucial in this position. Prepare to share examples of how you've built and maintained strong relationships with clients or team members. Highlight any techniques you used to foster collaboration and trust.

✨Emphasise Leadership Experience

The role includes mentoring junior team members, so be sure to discuss your leadership style and any relevant experience. Share instances where you've successfully guided others, focusing on how you developed their skills and contributed to their professional growth.

Principal Commercial Officer
BAE Systems (New)
B
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