Commercial Manager in Castleford

Sigma are experts at transforming commercial space. With over 20 years’ experience operating in the fast-paced and dynamic retail sector, Sigma provide a true end-to-end service; from store construction and consolidation to fixture procurement, projects, and mechanical & electrical installation. Ranked in the top 10% of the 2019 Sunday Times International FastTrack 200 awards, we’ve been acknowledged as being one of Britain’s fastest growing private companies. It’s our people that make us who we are, and we are proud to have some of the most experienced, knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated individuals within our industry, at every level in our business. Sigma is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

Outline of role

The Commercial Manager (M&E) plays a critical leadership role within the Commercial function of our Mechanical & Electrical division, taking full commercial, contractual, profitability and cash responsibility for all M&E projects. The postholder will provide day-to-day line management of a team of M&E Quantity Surveyors, ensuring effective workload allocation, performance management, development, and adherence to commercial best practice. Working closely with Operations, Estimating, Delivery, Design, Procurement and Finance, the Commercial Manager ensures that all M&E projects are set up to succeed commercially and commercially managed throughout their lifecycle. They will drive compliance, robust risk management, margin protection, accurate reporting, and continuous improvement, while embedding a culture of learning and accountability across the team.

Main responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management
  • Provide day-to-day line management of the M&E QS team, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance reviews.
  • Allocate resources and manage team workload to ensure effective project support across all M&E workstreams.
  • Lead, coach and mentor the QS team to enhance commercial capability, promote best practice, and support professional development.
  • Set clear expectations, objectives and KPIs aligned to commercial strategy and business goals.
• Commercial & Contractual Management
  • Lead all commercial activities for the M&E division across tendering, project delivery and final accounts.
  • Ensure robust commercial setup of projects, including contract reviews, budgets, risk registers, and payment mechanisms.
  • Manage and negotiate subcontractor and supplier agreements, ensuring value, compliance and risk mitigation.
  • Work alongside the Head of Commercial to implement and continuously improve commercial processes, governance frameworks, and reporting structures.
  • Ensure timely and accurate commercial reporting, forecasting, CVRs, and cashflow management.
• Project & Financial Performance
  • Maximise value, margin and cash on all M&E projects by ensuring proactive cost management, variation capture, and contractual entitlement.
  • Identify commercial risks and opportunities early and develop strategies to mitigate or exploit them.
  • Support strategic decision-making with insight into financial performance, commercial exposure and trends.
  • Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with company procedures and relevant contract forms (e.g., JCT, Bespoke, NEC).
• Stakeholder & Client Engagement
  • Build strong internal and external relationships to influence outcomes, secure agreements, and support successful project delivery.
  • Act as the commercial escalation point for M&E projects, providing guidance and intervention as required.
  • Lead negotiations relating to variations, claims, disputes and adjudications (with support from senior leadership where applicable).
• Continuous Improvement & Compliance
  • Champion commercial excellence, governance, and consistency within the M&E commercial function.
  • Drive system and process improvements that enhance commercial accuracy, control and efficiency.
  • Ensure full compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, health & safety, and GDPR principles.

Essential requirements

• Minimum 8 years’ commercial experience within the construction or M&E sector, ideally with a main contractor, fit-out contractor or building services specialist.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a commercial team, ideally within an M&E or technical delivery environment.
• Strong understanding of M&E systems (mechanical, electrical) and associated commercial risks.
• Demonstrable experience developing and implementing commercial procedures and improving commercial performance.
• Strong working knowledge of JCT and NEC contracts, frameworks and schedule-of-rates mechanisms.
• Experienced negotiator with exposure to dispute resolution, claims handling and adjudication.

Qualifications

• Degree/HND/HNC in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional membership (MRICS/CIOB or working towards) preferred.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• A day’s ‘birthday leave’ to be taken within your birthday month
• Opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday*
• Opportunity for hybrid working*
• Ability to participate in the Octopus EV salary sacrifice scheme*
• Ability to participate in the Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Healthshield cash plan with discounts on high street stores
• Free external financial advice – offering support for mortgages, pensions and insurances
• Enhanced family friendly pay*
• Free tea, coffee and fruit on all sites

* Subject to eligibility