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- 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 the maritime industry while shaping future business strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial contracts and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Hybrid working in London or Seething, with travel.
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.
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 strategy, centred around the One James Fisher ambition, aims to build a cohesive engineering service company in the Blue Economy. 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 Maritime Transport
Contact Detail:
James Fisher Maritime Transport 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 your connections in the maritime industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching James Fisher and its competitors. Understand their services and recent developments in the maritime sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing terms and pricing strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at James Fisher.
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 provide examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. We love seeing how you’ve navigated complex agreements and achieved favourable outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point while still being engaging.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We receive a high volume of applications, and sometimes they close early. Get your application in through our website as soon as you can to avoid missing out!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher Maritime Transport
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand various types of commercial contracts, especially those relevant to the maritime industry. Be prepared to discuss your experience with drafting, negotiating, and managing these agreements, as well as any specific challenges you've faced.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Highlight your understanding of pricing strategies and how they impact profitability. Bring examples of how you've successfully advised sales teams on financial implications and contract structures in previous roles. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive business success.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you identified and mitigated risks within contracts or negotiated key financial terms. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Business
Research James Fisher's operations, values, and recent developments in the maritime sector. Understanding their strategic goals and how your role as a Senior Commercial Manager aligns with them will show your genuine interest and help you tailor your answers to fit their needs.
