At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities, manage contracts, and drive profitability in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Established specialist engineering business with a focus on innovation and customer service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a stable company with direct access to senior management and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business strategy and customer relationships in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial roles within technical or engineering sectors is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester
Sector: Specialist engineering services
Job Type: Permanent, full-time
Salary: Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience
The Opportunity
We are working with a long-established specialist engineering business that provides technical products, service solutions, upgrades and ongoing support to customers across the UK and overseas. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Commercial Manager to take ownership of commercial activity across contracts, customer accounts, pricing, tenders, margins and key business opportunities. This is a senior, commercially focused role suited to someone who understands technical engineering environments and can balance customer relationships, contractual detail and profitability.
The Role
As Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the business in securing, managing and improving profitable work across service, project and product-related activity. You will work closely with sales, operations, engineering, finance and senior management to ensure that opportunities are properly priced, commercially controlled and delivered in line with business objectives. The role will involve reviewing customer requirements, preparing and negotiating commercial proposals, supporting contract discussions, managing risk and helping the business improve the way it wins and delivers work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support commercial activity across new and existing customer opportunities.
- Review enquiries, specifications and contractual requirements.
- Prepare, review and negotiate quotations, tenders and commercial proposals.
- Work closely with sales and technical teams to ensure pricing is accurate and commercially viable.
- Support contract negotiation, terms review and risk management.
- Monitor margins, costs and commercial performance across key projects and accounts.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, contract value and customer retention.
- Support account management activity with key customers.
- Assist with forecasting, pipeline review and revenue planning.
- Liaise with finance, operations and engineering teams to ensure commercial alignment.
- Help improve internal commercial processes, reporting and controls.
- Provide commercial guidance to senior management on bids, contracts and customer agreements.
Candidate Requirements
The successful candidate is likely to have experience in a commercial, contracts, sales management or account management role within a technical or engineering-led business. You should be comfortable dealing with complex customer requirements, commercial negotiations and contract terms, while also being able to work closely with operational and technical teams.
Essential Experience
- Experience in a commercial, contracts, business development, sales management or account management position.
- Background in engineering, manufacturing, industrial services, technical products or capital equipment.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage margins, pricing and risk.
- Experience reviewing customer requirements, quotations, tenders or contracts.
- Confident communicator with strong negotiation skills.
- Able to build strong internal and external relationships.
- Good attention to detail and a practical, commercially sensible approach.
- Comfortable working with senior stakeholders and customer decision-makers.
Desirable Experience
- Experience in service contracts, maintenance agreements, refurbishment, upgrades or technical project work.
- Knowledge of engineered products or industrial equipment.
- Experience working with both new business opportunities and existing customer accounts.
- Previous exposure to contract terms, framework agreements or larger commercial negotiations.
The Package
- Competitive basic salary, negotiable depending on experience.
- Permanently senior role with a stable, established business.
- Opportunity to influence commercial strategy and business growth.
- Supportive working environment with direct access to senior management.
- Based from Chapel-en-le-Frith, near Manchester.
Eligibility: ONLY APPLICANTS WITH CURRENT ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UK NEED APPLY AS NO SPONSORSHIP IS ON OFFER FOR THIS ROLE.
Commercial Manager employer: Human Engineering
Join a well-established specialist engineering firm in Manchester as a Commercial Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in driving commercial success and influencing business growth. With a competitive salary and a supportive work culture, this permanent position offers direct access to senior management and opportunities for professional development in a dynamic environment focused on technical excellence and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Commercial Manager at Human Engineering!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Human Engineering or be willing to refer you for that Commercial Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Human Engineering who’s on the lookout for their next Commercial Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Commercial Manager role at Human Engineering!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Human Engineering. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Human Engineering
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Human Engineering. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
