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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contract negotiations and manage commercial agreements to drive business success.
- Company: Join James Fisher, a leader in maritime shipping with a rich history of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in global maritime transport while enhancing your commercial skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business or related field; experience in commercial contracts preferred.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Role
Permanent, Full-time Hybrid working in London or Seething, with travel.
About us
With two centuries of maritime shipping and innovation, James Fisher is a trusted partner in the safe and efficient movement of the world’s critical resources. As a market leader in ship-to-ship transfer and coastal shipping, we help customers protect people, cargo and infrastructure while shaping the future of global maritime transport.
The Role
We’re seeking a strategic and commercially astute Senior Commercial Manager to drive business success through leading the negotiation, management, and administration of customer and vendor contracts. This pivotal role will focus on aligning contract terms with organisational goals, optimising pricing strategies, mitigating risk, and supporting revenue growth. As a key partner to our sales, operations, legal, tax, and finance teams, you’ll structure commercially sound agreements that enhance profitability, whilst ensuring alignment to our internal compliance. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a strong track record in commercial contract management, we’d love to hear from you.
Role Accountabilities
- Lead the end-to-end process of drafting, negotiating, and finalising a wide range of commercial contracts, including client agreements, supplier contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), and licensing deals.
- Collaborate with finance and sales teams to develop and maintain commercially sound pricing models and terms.
- Advise sales teams on pricing strategies, financial implications, and contract structures to support competitive and profitable proposals.
- Manage bid and tender processes, ensuring alignment with internal compliance, risk management, and regulatory standards.
- Negotiate key financial terms—such as pricing, payment schedules, discounts, and incentives—to balance profitability with market competitiveness.
- Identify and mitigate commercial risks within contracts, ensuring alignment with business objectives and legal requirements.
- Act as the primary commercial contact for external clients throughout the contract lifecycle from negotiation onwards.
- Serve as the commercial interface for internal stakeholders including operations, legal, supply chain, tax, and finance.
- Monitor contract performance, ensuring obligations, milestones, and renewals are tracked and fulfilled.
- Maintain a centralised contract database and produce regular reports on contract status, value, and risk exposure.
- Analyse commercial KPIs such as win/loss ratios and margin variances to inform strategic decisions.
- Work with the Data Innovation Lead to assess market trends, competitor pricing, and customer feedback to enhance pricing and contract strategies.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Finance, or a related field (MBA or legal qualification is a plus).
- Experience in commercial contracts, pricing, or procurement-related role.
- Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of pricing strategy, margin analysis, and revenue impact.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex agreements with clients and vendors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on clarity, persuasion, and detail.
- Strong analytical and financial modelling skills using Excel or similar tools.
- Familiarity with contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms and ERP systems (e.g., Salesforce, NetSuite, Business Central).
James Fisher is a global engineering services company that has evolved from its origins as a ship owner and operator to provide expertise and innovative technology across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. We help our customers deliver on their promises safely, efficiently, and responsibly. With a strong heritage built on our people and innovation, we are embedding sustainability across our business.
Our Energy Division offers safe, sustainable products and services for oil, gas, and renewables. The Defence Division provides underwater systems and life support for defence and commercial diving markets. Maritime Transport leads in global maritime shipping, ship-to-ship transfer services and sale of marine products.
Together, we are building a brighter, bolder, and more innovative future. If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.
Senior Commercial Manager employer: James Fisher and Sons plc
Contact Detail:
James Fisher and Sons plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the maritime industry, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Senior Commercial Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching James Fisher and understanding their values and recent projects. We want to see your enthusiasm and knowledge about the company, so tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their mission in maritime transport.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Commercial Manager, you’ll be leading contract negotiations, so role-play scenarios with friends or mentors. We need to see that you can handle tough discussions and come out on top.
✨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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial contract management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Senior Commercial Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since this role involves a lot of negotiation, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to negotiate complex agreements. Share specific examples in your application that illustrate your success in this area, as it’ll really make you stand out to us.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that are easy to read, so keep it professional yet engaging.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to find all the details you need about the role and our company there. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher and Sons plc
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of commercial contracts relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with key terms and concepts like SLAs, pricing strategies, and risk management. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise in contract management.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully balanced profitability with market competitiveness. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will highlight your strategic thinking and ability to drive business success through effective negotiation.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research James Fisher’s position in the maritime industry, including their competitors and market trends. Being able to discuss how external factors influence pricing and contract strategies will show that you’re not just focused on the role but also on the bigger picture of the business.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview about the company’s future direction, challenges in the industry, or their approach to sustainability. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company aligns with your values and career goals.
