Global Programmes Senior Commercial Manager and Capability Lead in Hemel Hempstead

part of , is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports & borders, defense, and urban security. Our expertise is spread across 5 R&D centers, 21 Global Offices and 7 Manufacturing Sites with 3000 Brilliant minds globally contributing for over 40 years at the frontline which enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect our society from any threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics. Every minute of every day, our technology and talented team members help to make the world a safer place -

The Global Programmes Senior Commercial Manager and Capability Lead (SCM&C Lead) is a unique role that combines the typical responsibilities of a Senior Commercial Manager Role with a business objective to introduce Contracting and Commercial Management Excellence into the established Global Programmes environment in Smiths Detection.

The role holder will be responsible for the definition and integration of Contracting and Commercial Capability within Global Programmes and for leading its effective application across all Commercial Markets and the Americas. This role will enhance contract lifecycle management processes, improve risk mitigation strategies, and optimise commercial outcomes during project/programme execution.

The SCM&C Lead is a senior professional role with an overall purpose to lead contracting and commercial excellence and, in accordance with the purpose of the Programme Excellence Centre (PEC), shall provide specialist support to embedded resources across both commercial/contract and project/programme management (PM) roles.

The SCM&C Lead is a versatile role and day-to-day duties will vary in accordance with the needs of Global Programmes, however, the overall job purpose remains the same.

Please note, this is an individual contributor role, there are no direct reports or management responsibilities.

Successful applicants will have done a similar role within either Aviation, Construction, Defence or Rail.

Duties:

Global Programmes Contracting and Commercial Capability Development:

• To deliver objectives defined by the Smiths Detection Transformation Programme Contract Lifecyle Management Improvement Initiative, initially, the full time focus will be on defining the Global Programmes contracting and commercial capability at a sufficient level to support the varying needs of markets.
• Work in collaboration with the Global Services Team to determine, as far as reasonably practical, a congruous approach that maximises efficiencies, but that recognises the specific aspects to be adopted for Global Programmes. The differing needs of project/programme execution to be reflected are driven by the short-term nature of the contracts, the need to manage variations and sufficient demonstration of scope fulfilment to achieve timely contract closure.
• Develop and implement standardised contract management processes within the PEC.
• Introduce commercial best practices to improve project/programme financial and risk management.
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure contract compliance and performance tracking.
• Provide training to project/programme managers and teams on contract negotiation, risk assessment, and commercial decision-making.

Organisational Evaluation, Skills Gap Analysis and Training:

• Evaluate the existing sales, service and programmes organisational breakdown structures to identify existing skills, overlaps and gaps.
• Conduct capability assessments to evaluate contract and commercial management skills across teams.
• Recommend workforce development initiatives, training programmes, or structural changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead the development and delivery of training to teams utilising expertise where required.

Contract Management Improvement During Project/Programme Execution:

• Develop guidelines for monitoring contract performance, obligations, and milestones.
• Implement tools and methodologies to enhance real-time tracking of contractual commitments.
• Support embedded Contract/Commercial Management and PM Teams in resolving contract-related issues, claims, and disputes.
• Ensure alignment between contract terms, project deliverables, and financial targets.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:

• Lead embedded commercial/contract managers and PMs to:
• Work closely with sales, legal, procurement, and finance teams to ensure commercial alignment across the project/programme lifecycle.
• Minimise risks and maximise value.
• Effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to enhance contract negotiation strategies.
• Review contracts pre-signature and support negotiations.
• Assurance of contract administration during execution.
• Provide expert guidance throughout execution to embedded Commercial/Contract Managers and PMs.

Continuous Improvement and Best Practice Implementation:

• Benchmark against industry standards to introduce best-in-class contract management approaches.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the Global Programmes commercial capabilities.
• Utilise data analytics and reporting tools to provide insights into contract and commercial performance.

People and Talent Management:

• Promote disciplined PM and Commercial practices throughout Global Programmes.
• The role does not have direct line management responsibilities, however, as a senior professional the SCM&C Lead is expected to actively contribute to colleague development activities of Global Programmes to support building its capability.
• The SCM&C Lead will effectively exploit and develop the knowledge of people from all functions.

Policies and Procedures :

• Ensure compliance with company policies for Ethics, Health, Safety and Environment.
• Promote and lead business change particularly through engagement with the transformation programme.
• Support PEC business change initiatives, such as the development of the Commercial Lifecycle Process and integration with Product Lifecycle Process into a PEC process framework for application across the global business.
• Be a key contributor to regular maintenance of the PEC process framework to ensure that it accurately reflects Smiths Detection PM practices or identified improvements.
• Follow a proactive approach to develop an understanding of company policies and procedures and in the first instance use resources such as training material, procedure documents and process guidelines as a go-to source.

• Internationally recognised professional qualification in Commercial/Contract management essential.
• Degree qualification (HND minimum) in relevant discipline (Business/Law/Project Management) desirable.
• Chartered member of as professional body such as RICS desirable.

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of contract law, risk management, and negotiation strategies.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies (e.g., PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile).
• Proficiency in contract lifecycle management tools and commercial analytics.
• Awareness of complex integrated technology-based sensor systems and the critical roles that the technology and products play in the market.

Skills :

• Extensive experience in contract management, commercial management within a complex organisational structure essential.
• Strong verbal and written communication and people management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills combined with experience leading teams.
• Ability to lead change initiatives and drive capability improvement across all aspects of areas of responsibility adopting both formal and informal approaches.

Competence and Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a natural passion to deliver against commitments.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation recognising the level of details that is required for a particular audience.
• Significant ability to work in a multicultural team in a matrix environment and influence people outside of direct reporting relationships.
• Advanced vision, attention to detail, organised and proven ability to work under own initiative developing methods and procedures for new assignments.
• Significant ability to influence and act as a champion for governance, particularly to improve project/programme management.
• Capable of producing special reports for the Senior Leadership Team within short timescales and comfortable working with ambiguity.

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