Senior Commercial Manager

Senior Commercial Manager

Temporary 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead commercial activities for competitive bids and proposals in the defence sector.
  • Company: Globally renowned defence and aerospace client based in Bristol.
  • Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and strategic growth.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on complex digital capabilities for the UK Ministry of Defence.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in Commercial Management with strong UK defence contracting experience.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to support the Digital business unit in Bristol. The role will have a strong focus on business growth, competitive bids, proposals and other pre-contract activities, alongside broader commercial and contract management responsibilities. The successful candidate will provide commercial leadership across new business opportunities, competitive tenders, frameworks, contract changes and long-term programmes.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead commercial activity across complex competitive bids, proposals, frameworks and new business opportunities.
  • Develop and implement commercial strategies that support successful bids whilst protecting the organisation's contractual and financial interests.
  • Lead and support commercial governance throughout the bid and proposal lifecycle, including bid/no-bid and make/buy reviews.
  • Draft, review, interpret and negotiate complex contractual terms and conditions.
  • Develop and review Statements of Work (SoW), contractual documentation and agreements with customers and external parties.
  • Lead contract change and tasking proposals through development, negotiation and award.
  • Provide commercial and contract management support throughout programme execution, identifying and resolving contractual and commercial issues.
  • Develop and review cost estimates, pricing strategies and profit objectives to support commercially viable proposals.
  • Conduct risk and opportunity assessments, developing appropriate mitigation strategies and recommendations.
  • Review and approve proposals and commercial agreements prepared by colleagues.
  • Represent the business in customer negotiations and, within delegated authority, submit commercial offers and contractual commitments.
  • Ensure compliance with internal commercial policies, relevant legislation, procurement regulations and contractual requirements.
  • Work closely with Programme Management, Finance, Procurement, Legal and other functions to achieve successful commercial outcomes.
  • Develop effective relationships with customers and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted commercial business partner.
  • Identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, governance and overall business performance.

Skills & Experience:

  • Significant experience within Commercial Management, Contracts Management or a comparable commercial role, ideally within defence, aerospace or another complex regulated environment.
  • Strong UK defence contracting experience, including drafting, interpreting and negotiating complex terms and conditions.
  • Demonstrable experience providing commercial leadership across competitive bids, tenders and pre-contract activities.
  • Strong knowledge of Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCR), UK procurement regulations and government contracting frameworks.
  • Comprehensive understanding of contract formation, contract structures, proposal processes and contract management.
  • Experience developing commercial strategies, business cases, cost estimates and pricing/profit objectives.
  • Strong understanding of commercial, contractual and programme risk and opportunity management.
  • Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to achieve commercially balanced outcomes.
  • Strong financial and business acumen with an understanding of programme and contractual performance.
  • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, customers and cross-functional teams within a matrix organisation.
  • Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple complex priorities whilst maintaining accuracy and high-quality commercial outputs.
  • Proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to work independently and anticipate commercial risks and issues.

Qualifications & Desirable Experience:

  • Seven or more years' experience within Commercial or Contract Management; extensive experience within a multinational organisation and UK defence environment would be advantageous.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Law or another relevant discipline desirable.
  • World Commerce & Contracting (formerly IACCM) CCM qualification would be advantageous.
  • Previous experience supporting complex UK Ministry of Defence programmes would be highly desirable.

Additional Information:

  • Eligibility: Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available.
  • Relocation: Relocation assistance is not provided.

Senior Commercial Manager employer: Indotronix UK

As a Procurement Agent in Gosport, you will join a dynamic team supporting a prestigious aerospace client, with a focus on the UK Ministry of Defence's Chinook fleet. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and continuous improvement, offering competitive pay and opportunities for professional growth within the defence sector. With a hybrid working model, you can enjoy a balanced work-life while contributing to significant projects that make a real impact.

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Contact Details:

Indotronix UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager

Tap into Consulting Networks

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Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time

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Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards

Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Indotronix UK.

Leverage University and Alumni Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Indotronix UK.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager

Commercial Management
Contracts Management
Defence Contracting
Bid Management
Negotiation Skills
Contractual Terms Interpretation
Cost Estimation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!

Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.

Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Indotronix UK and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.

Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Indotronix UK

Prepare for Case Studies

In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Indotronix UK will want to see.

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Indotronix UK.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Indotronix UK.

Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit

Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Indotronix UK. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.