Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager

Location: Ipswich
Hours: Full time, permanent - Monday to Friday, (37.5 hours per week)

About the Company

We are a specialist engineering business delivering bespoke power generation solutions to customers across the UK and internationally.

Our teams bring together engineering design, fabrication, manufacturing, finishing, engine service, overhaul and testing to deliver high-quality solutions across a diverse range of applications. Our customers include organisations such as the MOD, NHS and National Grid, with projects ranging from power generation systems for warships through to solutions for care homes.

As a practical, technically driven business with an annual turnover of approximately £16m, we offer a varied and rewarding environment where commercial decisions have a direct impact on business performance.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to take ownership of the commercial and contractual aspects of our bespoke marine and industrial power generation projects.

Working closely with the Managing Director and our Sales, Engineering, Projects, Procurement, Operations and Finance teams, you will play a key role from tender and contract negotiation through to project delivery and final close-out.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who combines strong commercial judgement with a practical approach. You will be responsible for protecting margin, cash flow and contractual position, while maintaining strong customer and supplier relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the sales forecast, ensuring it is accurate, current and aligned with business priorities.
• Control stock levels in line with trading requirements and the sales forecast, balancing availability, working capital and obsolescence risk.
• Validate pricing, margins, payment profiles, assumptions and commercial risks.
• Negotiate customer, supplier and subcontractor terms within agreed authority limits.
• Ensure effective commercial handover from sales into project delivery.
• Monitor project margins, cash flow, variations, claims, invoicing and forecast outcomes.
• Manage contractual notices, records and approvals, ensuring these are completed accurately and on time.
• Identify and escalate material commercial risks and support the practical resolution of disputes.
• Complete post-project reviews covering final margin, commercial performance, lessons learned and improvement actions.
• Provide concise and meaningful commercial reporting to the Managing Director and leadership team.
• Develop and maintain proportionate commercial controls appropriate to a growing £16m engineering business.
• Work collaboratively across Sales, Engineering, Projects, Procurement, Operations and Finance.

About You

We are looking for someone with commercial or contracts management experience within an engineering, manufacturing, marine, energy or capital equipment environment.

You will ideally have experience of:

• Project-based contracts and commercial management.
• Tender pricing and margin control.
• Cash flow and payment management.
• Contractual risk, scope changes, variations and claims.
• Customer, supplier and subcontractor negotiations.
• Working closely with technical and operational teams in a project-led environment.

A qualification in commercial management, contracts, law, business or engineering would be advantageous, but practical experience and commercial capability are equally important.

Experience within marine, industrial power generation, export or international trade would be highly beneficial.

Most importantly, you will have strong commercial judgement, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to take ownership of issues and make practical decisions.

You will be:

• Commercially astute and results focused.
• Practical and hands-on in your approach.
• Comfortable balancing commercial risk with customer relationships and profitable delivery.
• A clear and confident communicator who can influence technical and operational colleagues.
• Organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple live priorities.