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- Tasks: Lead bids, manage contracts, and negotiate with customers in the UK defence sector.
- Company: Join a proactive commercial team in a dynamic defence environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the defence sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience with complex contracts required.
- Other info: Enjoy excellent site facilities and a supportive work culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a great opportunity to join a proactive commercial team supporting early product development, research and technology within the UK defence sector. As a Principal Commercial Officer, you’ll contribute to both winning new business and ensuring the smooth delivery of existing contracts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead or support bid activity, including proposal development and internal coordination
- Manage live contracts across their full lifecycle—changes, compliance, issues and documentation
- Support negotiations with customers, suppliers and industry partners
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external customers
- Represent the commercial function in reviews, progress meetings and customer engagements
- Provide clear reporting on your portfolio to senior management
- Maintain commercial systems, records and best practice processes
- Work effectively under pressure and to deadlines
Principal Commercial Officer Requirements:
- Strong negotiation capability and confident communication skills
- Experience handling complex or high-value contracts
- Good understanding of contract law, liabilities and risk management
- Ability to draft and amend terms and conditions
- Knowledge of IP protection and awareness of export/import controls
- Familiarity with pricing and costing models
- Strong process management and ability to drive change
- Effective team player with the ability to influence stakeholders
- Good IT skills, including SAP and standard business tools
What’s on offer:
- Competitive salary and performance based bonus.
- Competitive pension and comprehensive benefits package.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Overtime +££
- Enhanced parental and family leave options.
- Excellent site facilities including subsidised meals and free parking.
- Support for professional development.
Principal Commercial Officer in Hitchin employer: Innovate Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Innovate Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Commercial Officer in Hitchin
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the defence sector, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Commercial Officer in Hitchin
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Commercial Officer role. Highlight your experience with contract management and negotiation skills, as these are key for us in the UK defence sector.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve successfully managed contracts or led bid activities. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
As a Principal Commercial Officer, you'll be dealing with complex contracts. Make sure you understand the key terms and conditions of your previous contracts and be ready to discuss how you've managed them. This will show your expertise and confidence in handling high-value agreements.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you’ve successfully navigated challenges. Think about how you can demonstrate your strong negotiation capability during the interview. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your approach and outcomes effectively.
✨Build Relationships, Even Before the Interview
Since this role involves maintaining strong working relationships, try to connect with current employees or stakeholders on LinkedIn. Understanding their perspectives can give you valuable insights to discuss during your interview, showcasing your proactive approach.
✨Be Ready for Pressure Questions
Given the nature of the role, expect questions about how you handle pressure and deadlines. Prepare specific examples that highlight your process management skills and ability to drive change under tight timelines. This will demonstrate your resilience and capability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.