At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities for the Bus Division, managing quotes, tenders, and pricing strategies.
- Company: Established automotive company with a strong focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of the bus industry while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategic decisions and drive profitability.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role. We are currently recruiting a Head of Commercial for a long-standing client to support their Bus divisions.
Role Purpose
The Bus Division Head of Commercial is responsible for coordinating and leading all commercial activities across the Bus entities, ensuring that quotes, tenders, costings and commercial terms are robust, competitive and aligned with the Group profitability objectives. The role acts as the central commercial authority across the Bus Division—managing tender pipelines, leading complex bid activity, standardising commercial processes, and working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Procurement and Finance to convert opportunities into profitable orders. Management of a team of two commercial support leads in the bus division.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Commercial Coordination & Governance: Coordinate the bus division commercial activities, including quotations, tenders, cost models and commercial terms and conditions for quotes and contracts, working side by side with the Head of Sales and the Group Marketing Manager. A key part of the role is influencing product and sales strategic roadmaps with insights on our commercial performance.
- Tender & Quotation Management: Manage the pipeline of quotes and tenders, including backlog visibility and prioritisation, guiding the team to deliver customer proposals on time and in quality. Coordinate weekly commercial planning sessions with key stakeholders (e.g. Sales leadership and commercial team) to align resources and priorities. Coordinate the preparation of cost and quote proposals for the Bus division through the bus division commercial team. Lead the creation of winning tenders through full bid lifecycle from Bid/No-Bid business case through to customer negotiation and contract award, in coordination with the bus division sales team. Lead ad-hoc and complex tender submissions (e.g. large tenders, new product launches, framework submissions and similar public sector opportunities), coordinating cross-functional teams as required.
- Costing, Pricing & Financial Modelling: Develop and maintain standardised quotation templates, incorporating inputs from Operations, Procurement, Engineering and Finance for all products. Build and maintain EBITDA-based commercial models to support pricing decisions and profitability assessment. Challenge internal cost assumptions and support cost-down initiatives to improve competitiveness and margin performance.
- Reporting & Performance Monitoring: Produce regular commercial reporting for Business Reviews, Sales meetings and SLT meetings, including: Opportunity and tender pipeline, Order intake and conversion rates, Commercial risks and opportunities. Ensure commercial data is accurate, timely and decision-useful.
- Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Leadership: Streamline and improve commercial processes in coordination with Sales and Operations, from initial quote through order placement and hand-over of orders to Operations. Influence and align internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality, competitive and timely commercial submissions.
Head of Commercial in Manchester employer: CRP Group Global Ltd
Contact Detail:
CRP Group Global Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their commercial strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the Head of Commercial role. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Commercial role. Highlight your experience in managing commercial activities, especially in the automotive or bus sectors, and show how your skills align with our needs.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles, particularly in commercial settings.
Be Data-Driven: We love numbers! Include any relevant metrics or data that demonstrate your success in previous commercial roles. Whether it’s improving profitability or streamlining processes, quantifiable achievements can really make you stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRP Group Global Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Commercial, you'll need to be comfortable with financial modelling and pricing strategies. Brush up on your knowledge of EBITDA and how it impacts profitability. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to influence commercial decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team and coordinating with various departments. Prepare to share your experiences in leading teams and driving cross-functional collaboration. Think of instances where you successfully influenced stakeholders or streamlined processes to achieve better outcomes.
✨Master the Tender Process
Since you'll be managing tenders and quotes, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the bid lifecycle. Be prepared to discuss your approach to creating winning tenders and how you've navigated complex submissions in previous roles. Highlight any successful bids you've led.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges. Think about potential scenarios related to commercial governance or cost management, and prepare your thought process on how you'd tackle them. This will show your strategic thinking and readiness for the role.