At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and contracts to drive savings and ensure strong performance.
- Company: Join MBNL, a leader in commercial management with a focus on efficiency.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising supplier performance and driving value for shareholders.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in managing complex supplier relationships.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
6 month contract Reading - 2 days per week hybrid.
The Commercial Manager plays a key role within MBNL’s Commercial directorate, responsible for managing supplier relationships and contracts across a defined portfolio. You’ll ensure robust commercial governance, effective supplier performance, and strong cost control across procurement and in‑life contract management. Operating at the interface between business, suppliers, and shareholders, you’ll provide expert commercial support that minimises risk, drives value, and enables successful delivery across MBNL programmes and projects.
Why this role matters: Strong commercial management underpins MBNL’s ability to deliver value for shareholders while operating efficiently in a complex, multi‑supplier environment. This role ensures contracts are well‑structured, suppliers are held to account, and commercial risks and costs are actively managed throughout the contract lifecycle. By embedding consistent commercial standards and proactive supplier management, you’ll help MBNL achieve better outcomes from its supply chain. This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 2 days per week in our Central Reading office.
What you’ll be here to do: You’ll manage all commercial aspects of your supplier portfolio, from strategy through contract close‑out. You’ll:
- Own supplier relationships and the full commercial lifecycle including selection, contracting, in‑life management, and exit
- Ensure all commercial activity complies with MBNL commercial policy, governance, and delegation frameworks
- Lead tenders, negotiations, and contract awards in line with shareholder and business requirements
- Negotiate pricing, identify savings opportunities, and drive opex efficiency
- Draft, negotiate, and manage framework and project contracts in partnership with Legal
- Manage contract change control, risk, and dispute resolution up to Director level
- Track supplier performance against contractual KPIs and drive corrective action where required
- Maintain accurate contract and pricing data within MBNL systems
- Support audits and provide clear commercial reporting and insight
- Engage and influence senior stakeholders, including shareholder forums
- Challenge the status quo and bring market insight to drive continuous improvement
Who we’re looking for: You’re a commercially astute professional with strong negotiation skills and experience managing complex supplier relationships. You’re comfortable operating independently, influencing stakeholders, and delivering results in fast‑paced environments. You’ll have:
- Experience negotiating complex framework or strategic contracts
- Strong supplier and contract management experience
- Good understanding of contract law and commercial risk
- The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
If you also have the following, we’re especially interested in talking to you: Professional qualifications (e.g. MCIPS) and experience in JV or multi‑stakeholder environments.
Commercial Manager in Reading employer: Mobile Broadband Network Ltd
MBNL is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work culture, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee development, MBNL provides opportunities for growth and advancement within the commercial sector, ensuring that team members are equipped with the skills needed to excel in their roles. Located in Central Reading, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a network of industry professionals, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
Mobile Broadband Network Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in Reading
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Mobile Broadband Network Ltd that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Mobile Broadband Network Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Mobile Broadband Network Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Mobile Broadband Network Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mobile Broadband Network Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
