Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager

About the Commercial Manager role: Somerset Solders Ltd is entering an important next phase of its development, with a refreshed leadership structure designed to support sustainable growth and clearer accountability. The company operates two established brands: Somerset Solders (specialising in soldering equipment, products and sundries for the electronics industry) and Somerset Workwear (providing professional workwear and PPE).

We are now seeking a Commercial Manager to lead the commercial performance of the business across sales, purchasing and marketing, working in close partnership with the Managing Director. This is a senior, hands-on commercial leadership role within an SME environment. It will suit someone who enjoys autonomy, takes ownership of outcomes, and combines strong commercial judgement with practical execution.

Commercial Manager Responsibilities

• Sales & revenue growth: Lead the sales strategy, build and manage a healthy pipeline across both brands, drive customer acquisition/retention/growth, and implement effective account management and segmentation.
• Pricing, margin & commercial discipline: Head up the execution of pricing and discounting within agreed frameworks, protect gross margin through disciplined decision-making, monitor performance trends, and provide insight on pricing pressures and opportunities.
• Supplier purchasing & availability: Own day-to-day purchasing, supplier communication and negotiations, manage lead times/MOQs/shortages, maintain strong relationships, and escalate any significant supplier risks.
• Marketing & demand generation: Lead commercial marketing execution within agreed budgets, manage external partners (e.g. PPC/digital agencies), track ROI and lead quality, and ensure close alignment between marketing and sales outcomes.
• Customer relationships: Serve as the primary commercial contact for large customers, lead negotiations and pricing discussions, resolve issues related to pricing/supply/terms, and escalate only exceptional or high-risk matters.
• Leadership & collaboration: Line-manage and develop the Sales Administrator team (x2), work closely with the Managing Director on strategy and growth planning, contribute market/competitor insight and customer feedback, and help foster a professional, collaborative and commercially focused culture.

What success looks like

In your first months you will take clear ownership of commercial execution, improve sales visibility/pipeline/forecasting, protect and improve gross margin, strengthen supplier and customer relationships, and reduce day-to-day commercial pressure on the Managing Director.

Commercial Manager Requirements

Essential experience

• Proven commercial management experience within an SME or similar environment
• Strong background in sales leadership, pricing and customer management
• Experience managing suppliers and commercial purchasing decisions
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
• Strong commercial judgement and confident decision-making

Desirable experience

• Experience in B2B, technical, manufacturing or distribution environments
• Exposure to digital marketing or performance-based marketing (e.g. PPC)
• Experience managing or developing small commercial teams

Personal attributes

• Commercially astute and data-driven
• Pragmatic, adaptable and comfortable in a growing SME
• Confident operating with autonomy within agreed frameworks
• Collaborative, accountable and outcomes-focused

Commercial Manager Benefits

• A genuinely senior commercial role with real ownership and influence
• Close partnership with the Managing Director
• Opportunity to shape the commercial direction of a growing SME
• A stable, well-established business with a clear future plan
• Company pension scheme
• Flexibility in working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance (office-based role with some flexibility considered)

This role is designed for candidates who want responsibility, influence and the opportunity to make a visible impact in an SME setting.