Commercial Manager in Chelmsford

A growing specialist contractor is seeking an experienced Commercial / Operations Manager to take commercial and financial control of the business, while supporting the Directors with operational structure, compliance and day-to-day business performance. The company has built a strong reputation in its sector and is now looking to implement further structure, procedures and commercial controls as it continues to grow.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Directors, support the existing team and help drive the company towards its next phase of growth, with a target of developing into a £10m turnover business.

The Role

This is a commercially focused senior management role, with responsibility for financial control, commercial reporting, cash flow management and overall business performance. The Commercial / Operations Manager will work closely with the Directors to provide structure across the commercial and financial side of the business, while also maintaining an operational overview of day-to-day business activity. The role will involve reviewing project performance, monitoring cash flow, managing cost reporting and ensuring the Directors have clear visibility across the financial and commercial position of the company. Alongside the commercial and financial responsibilities, the successful candidate will also support the operational running of the business, reviewing internal procedures, team performance, project delivery processes and yearly compliance audits.

Key responsibilities of the Commercial Manager will include:

• Leading the commercial and financial management of the business
• Managing cash flow, cost control, forecasting and commercial reporting
• Providing regular financial and commercial reports to the Directors
• Reviewing project performance, margins, valuations, variations and final accounts
• Ensuring the Directors have clear visibility across the financial position of the business
• Reviewing and negotiating main contract agreements, ensuring key commercial terms, risks and obligations are understood before entering into contract
• Providing senior-level support on contractual disputes, payment issues, variations and commercial negotiations
• Meeting with clients where required to review, discuss and resolve escalated commercial matters following initial review by the project or commercial team
• Implementing procedures across commercial, financial and operational functions
• Maintaining an operational overview of day-to-day business activity
• Reviewing the performance of Project Managers, Estimators and Quantity Surveyors
• Managing compliance across commercial, operational and project delivery processes
• Overseeing yearly compliance audits and ensuring actions are followed through
• Ensuring projects are commercially controlled from tender stage through to final account
• Identifying areas for improvement across systems, processes and internal procedures
• Helping to create structure within the business as it continues to grow
• Supporting business development and client relationship activity where required
• Providing clear leadership and accountability across the commercial and operational functions

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience working within a main contractor, specialist trade contractor, interiors contractor or similar environment. They must be commercially strong, financially aware and operationally capable, with the ability to bring structure, process and leadership into a growing business. The successful candidate is likely to have experience in one or more of the following roles:

• Commercial Manager
• Operations Manager
• Commercial / Operations Manager
• Senior Quantity Surveyor ready to step up
• Contracts Manager with strong commercial understanding
• General Manager within a specialist trade contractor environment

Key Requirements for the Commercial Manager role:

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in a senior commercial, operational or management position within a main contractor, specialist trade contractor, interiors contractor or similar environment
• Relevant construction, commercial or quantity surveying degree preferred
• Strong commercial and financial awareness
• Experience managing cash flow, cost reporting, forecasting and commercial processes
• Strong understanding of project cost control, valuations, variations and final accounts
• Experience managing or supporting Project Managers, Estimators and Quantity Surveyors
• Ability to implement systems, procedures and structure within a growing business
• Experience overseeing compliance procedures and yearly compliance audits
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
• Comfortable reporting directly to business owners / Directors
• Ambitious, commercially driven and interested in long-term progression

The Opportunity for the Commercial Manager role

This is not just a standard management role. The Directors are looking for someone who can become a key part of the business long term. For the right individual who can demonstrate leadership, structure, financial control and measurable improvement within the company, there is a genuine opportunity to be rewarded with future shareholding and ownership. The owners have indicated that their longer-term plan could include selling the business to the management team within the next 10 years, making this an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to help build, shape and potentially own part of a growing specialist trade contractor.

Apply

This role would suit an ambitious commercial or operational construction professional who wants to take commercial responsibility for a growing business and play a key role in its future success. Along with submitting your CV, please include a brief cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role, particularly around commercial management, financial control, operational oversight, compliance and business growth.