At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing complex commercial proposals and negotiations.
- Company: Join Sulzer, a leading engineering company with a legacy of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and 33 days annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous learning and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape winning strategies and make a real impact in the energy sector.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and significant experience in commercial management required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.
At Sulzer, we don't just repair and maintain gas turbines; we help some of the world's most critical power generation, energy and industrial customers keep their operations running. As our GT Aero business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Lead Commercial Specialist to lead a high-performing commercial team responsible for complex proposals, contract negotiations and commercial risk management across our global gas turbine services portfolio. This is a commercially focused leadership role with exposure across the full bid-to-order process, working alongside Sales, Operations, Engineering, Field Service, Finance and Senior Leadership teams. You'll be central to shaping winning commercial strategies while ensuring strong governance, commercial discipline and customer satisfaction.
Your Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a team of Commercial Specialists supporting complex service and overhaul opportunities within the gas turbine sector.
- Manage the full proposal lifecycle from customer enquiry through to order handover.
- Drive the development of compelling commercial value propositions aligned to win strategies.
- Review and negotiate commercial terms and conditions while identifying and mitigating contractual and financial risks.
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to deliver competitive and profitable bids.
- Ensure compliance with Sulzer governance, delegation of authority and risk review processes.
- Drive pricing consistency and support the development of commercial intelligence and pricing databases.
- Lead preparation of deal reviews, risk assessments and approval documentation for major opportunities.
- Monitor proposal performance metrics including turnaround times, conversion rates and win/loss analysis.
- Provide commercial support throughout project execution, including change orders, additional scope opportunities and receivables support.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance commercial processes, efficiency and proposal quality.
- Support the effective use of Salesforce CRM to manage opportunities and generate business insights.
To Succeed in This Role, You Will Need:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent commercial, engineering or business qualification.
- Significant commercial management experience, ideally within industrial services, power generation, rotating equipment, energy or oil & gas sectors.
- Experience leading commercial, bid management, proposal or contract management teams.
- Strong knowledge of commercial risk assessment, contract review and deal negotiation.
- Experience managing complex customer proposals and tender submissions.
- Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of pricing, margins and financial concepts.
- Advanced stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across multiple departments and seniority levels.
- Strong analytical capability with experience producing business insights, dashboards and commercial performance reporting.
- Experience using CRM systems, ideally Salesforce, alongside Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
What we offer you:
- A competitive basic salary
- Annual personal bonus scheme based on company and personal performance
- Private Medical Insurance
- 33 days annual leave.
- Defined pension contributions.
- Access to Medicash helping you cover everyday health costs like dental optical and physiotherapy plus a range of wellbeing perks.
- Confidential support via Employee Assistance Programmes.
- Access to discounts on shopping entertainment lifestyle plus opportunity to apply for Costco membership.
- Discounted personal car leasing for you your family and friends.
- Long Service Awards celebrating your commitment.
- Continuous learning opportunities through Sulzer Learning Pathways.
- As a Silver Award holder of the MoD Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, we welcome and support veterans, reservists and Cadet Adult Volunteers with policies for training, camps and deployment, plus a growing internal military network.
Commercial Manager employer: Sulzer
At Sulzer GT Aero, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and teamwork. Located in the scenic Netherley near Stonehaven, our facility provides employees with opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside competitive benefits that support work-life balance. Join us to be part of a dedicated team where your contributions directly impact the success of our gas turbine projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Commercial Manager at Sulzer!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Sulzer or be willing to refer you for that Commercial Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Sulzer who’s on the lookout for their next Commercial Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Commercial Manager role at Sulzer!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Sulzer. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sulzer
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Sulzer. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
