Commercial Manager (Advanced Products)

Leads Commercial activity for the delivery of existing business and/or new business requirements within cross functional teams. May lead a functional team or contribute as a sole senior Commercial expert in devising and delivering commercial strategy. The role requires the ability to understand complex data and technical requirements and translate that understanding into creating and delivering compelling Commercial business winning and delivery strategies.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for key commercial elements of the programme including customer relationship.
• Deliver value to the business and be an enabling function to the programme success.
• Develops and delivers innovative commercial solutions in support of proposals and customer requirements, together with administration of complex due diligence activity.
• Negotiates a range of contractual agreements and manages non-routine issues through senior functional management, referring to counsel when necessary.
• Identifying and managing contract change throughout the contract life cycle to maximise opportunities and reduce risks to performance.
• Shares responsibility for programme and bid financial performance with multi-functional leadership team.
• Produces business cases/briefing materials for senior management reviews.
• Support programme and bid financial performance with multi-functional team.
• Support the business finance function to manage the invoicing and cash collection process.
• Participation in cross-functional improvement activities.

Qualifications

• Strong experience managing complex defence contracts, ideally with UK MoD.
• Proven ability in commercial negotiation and agreement management.
• Solid understanding of commercial principles, contracting, and governing law.
• Knowledge of import/export regulations.
• Experience in programme financial management, including risk and opportunity analysis.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and customer relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and lead performance through others.
• Degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to lead or work independently.
• Willingness to travel within the UK as required.

Candidate Requirements – Desirable

• Experience across international and domestic contracting environments.
• Proven capability in contract drafting, scoping, and negotiation.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels.
• Experience managing commercial risk in complex, regulated environments.
• Background working with diverse products, customers, and portfolios.
• Knowledge of Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR).
• Experience working with government customers (prime or subcontractor).
• Exposure to international suppliers and programmes, including collaborative delivery models.
• Track record in leading and developing multi-functional teams.
• Experience negotiating and implementing framework agreements.
• Relevant commercial or supply chain accreditation.
• Strong programme management capability (risk, governance, metrics).

Benefits

• £: Competitive salary.
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution).
• 6 times salary 'Life Assurance' with pension.
• 25 days holiday (increasing with service) + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr).
• Car/Car allowance.
• Company bonus scheme 5% (discretionary).
• Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave.
• Private Medical Insurance.

Work Culture

• 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
• Early 1.30pm finish Friday, start your weekend early!
• Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
• Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year.
• Flexible working culture focused on output, with more formal flexible working arrangements on request (assessed subject to role) - please highlight any requests to the Talent Acquisition team.
• Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.