Commercial Assistant - Sales Support & Estimating

RETAIND Ltd; Corby; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

RETAIND Ltd in Corby is seeking a Commercial Assistant to support the Commercial Manager within a powder‑coating business. You will handle enquiries, prepare quotations, progress orders and coordinate with operations to ensure accurate pricing and timely delivery.

The role combines customer communication, quotation preparation, order processing and CRM record maintenance, with opportunities to get involved in marketing tasks as your knowledge grows.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, ideally in sales support, customer service, order processing or estimating.
• Strong numeracy and attention to detail when checking prices, dimensions and specifications.
• Good communication with customers and colleagues and the ability to learn new systems.
• Willingness to learn digital and AI tools for marketing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing customer enquiries, drawings and specs to establish pricing requirements.
• Learning powder-coating processes, options, materials and capacities.
• Preparing accurate quotations using established pricing methods with guidance from the Commercial Manager.
• Communicating with customers to clarify requirements, explain quotations and answer queries.
• Following up quotations and keeping the sales pipeline up to date.
• Processing orders and checking details against quotations and specs.
• Liaising with operations to confirm feasibility and progress orders into production.
• Keeping customers informed about progress, lead times and changes.
• Maintaining CRM records, pricing information and commercial documentation.
• Gradually taking on marketing tasks using templates and AI tools where appropriate.
• Supporting the Commercial Manager with general administration and projects.

Skills

Customer communication

Numerical skills

Organisational skills

MS Excel

Attention to detail

Proactive attitude

Marketing awareness

Tools

CRM software

MS Excel

Job description

Commercial Assistant - Sales Support & Estimating

Location: Corby - Office Based

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Employment: Permanent, Full-Time

Do you have experience working within manufacturing and enjoy understanding how products are made, priced and delivered?

We're recruiting a Commercial Assistant to support the Commercial Manager within an established powder‑coating business. This varied role combines customer communication, preparing quotations, progressing orders and coordinating with operations.

We're looking for someone with recent experience in a manufacturing environment, strong attention to detail and the aptitude to learn technical processes.

You’ll develop an understanding of different coatings, materials, finishes and production capabilities, using this knowledge to help assess customer requirements and prepare accurate quotations. As your experience grows, you’ll also become involved in marketing and wider commercial activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing customer enquiries, drawings and specifications to establish requirements and gather the information needed for pricing.
• Learning about powder‑coating processes, coating options, material suitability and production capacities.
• Preparing accurate quotations using established pricing methods and guidance from the Commercial Manager.
• Speaking with customers to clarify requirements, explain quotations and answer queries.
• Following up outstanding quotations and keeping the sales pipeline up to date.
• Processing orders and checking details against quotations, specifications and agreed requirements.
• Liaising with the operations team to confirm feasibility, clarify technical details and progress orders into production.
• Keeping customers informed about order progress, lead times and any changes.
• Helping resolve customer and operational queries with support from relevant colleagues.
• Maintaining accurate CRM records, pricing information and commercial documentation.
• Gradually taking on marketing tasks, including email campaigns, website updates, social media content and case studies, using existing templates and AI tools where appropriate.
• Supporting the Commercial Manager with general administration and commercial projects.

About You

You’ll bring:

• Recent experience within a manufacturing business, ideally in sales support, customer service, order processing, estimating, production administration or a similar role.
• An interest in technical products and processes, with the ability to absorb information and apply it accurately.
• Confidence communicating with customers and colleagues.
• Good numerical skills and attention to detail when checking prices, dimensions and specifications.
• Strong organisation and the ability to manage several enquiries and orders at different stages.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, and confidence learning new systems.
• A proactive approach to following up information, asking questions and seeing tasks through.
• An interest in developing your skills across sales, estimating and marketing.

Experience reading technical drawings or preparing quotations would be useful, but training will be provided. You do not need a marketing background, although a willingness to learn digital and AI tools is important.

The Opportunity

You’ll work closely with the Commercial Manager and operations team, building practical knowledge of how customer requirements translate into pricing and production.

This is an opportunity to develop a career across the commercial function of a manufacturing business, with scope to take on greater responsibility as your technical knowledge and experience grow.