Commercial Lead — Contracts, Cashflow & Risk

Bec Recruitment; Bolton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bec Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Lead to drive commercial management across the full contract lifecycle, from bids through to close-out. You will partner with Sales, Estimating, Projects, Planning, Finance and Operations to set robust commercial strategies and ensure cash, margin and risk targets are met.

The role is office-based with some site/office visits; you will manage live contracts, lead negotiations, and deliver governance, reporting and proactive risk management across multiple

Qualifications

• Substantial commercial management or senior Quantity Surveying experience in an engineering, manufacturing, construction or project delivery environment.
• Experience of reviewing, interpreting, negotiating and administering customer contracts across pre-contract and delivery stages.
• Strong understanding of contractual risk, liability, payment mechanisms, change control, claims and contract administration.
• Experience of providing commercial input to estimates, pricing, bids or tender submissions.
• Experience of managing live contracts, including applications for payment, valuations, variations and final accounts.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management; professional membership is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial leadership across the full contract lifecycle, including bids and tenders, contract negotiation, mobilisation, delivery, change management and close-out.
• Review customer terms and conditions and identify contractual risks and opportunities, including liabilities, indemnities, warranties, liquidated damages, payment terms, termination and cancellation rights, intellectual property, securities, insurance, acceptance criteria and dispute provisions.
• Lead or support customer negotiations to secure the best achievable commercial and contractual position for the business, clearly documenting any residual risks, qualifications and departures.
• Work with Sales and Estimating to develop pricing strategies, commercial assumptions, risk allowances, contingencies and tender qualifications that are robust, competitive and deliverable.
• Coordinate the business and approval process for tenders and contracts, ensuring that approval papers provide clear information on value, margin, cash, risk, opportunity, key terms and proposed mitigations.
• Ensure that no tender or contract is submitted, accepted or materially amended without the appropriate delegated authority and governance approvals.
• Work with Finance, Sales, Planning and Operations to design cashflows that support a cash-positive position throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Develop and negotiate deposits, advance payments, milestone payments and payment timing that align cash receipts with expenditure and activity.
• Challenge proposed manufacturing, procurement and delivery strategies to minimise WIP, working-capital exposure and unfunded activity.
• Develop activity, manufacturing, delivery and payment schedules that are practical, contractually aligned and support the required cash and WIP position.
• Maintain robust cost and value reconciliation, forecasting and reporting for live contracts, including anticipated final cost, revenue, margin, cash, WIP, risks and opportunities.
• Manage claims, contractual notices, extensions of time, compensation events and other commercial entitlements where applicable.
• Support the placement and commercial management of subcontract orders, ensuring appropriate back-to-back coverage and effective control of variations and final accounts.
• Protect and improve contract margin through disciplined commercial management, early intervention, innovation and good practice.
• Develop proactive and appropriate relationships with customers and internal and external stakeholders, providing clear commercial guidance to support sound business decisions.
• Contribute positively to project and management reviews, providing accurate, timely and useful reports and escalating material issues without delay.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of commercial procedures, governance, contract review, performance reporting and lifecycle handover processes.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and delegated authorities.
• Promote a personable, professional and accountable commercial culture focused on achieving predicted cash and profit outcomes.
• Any other ad hoc duties as may be required and as commensurate with the grade of the post.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Forecasting & cashflow

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying/Commercial Management

Professional membership (RICS/CICES/CIPS) desirable

Tools

Excel

Contract management systems

Job description

Bec Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Lead to drive commercial management across the full contract lifecycle, from bids through to close-out. You will partner with Sales, Estimating, Projects, Planning, Finance and Operations to set robust commercial strategies and ensure cash, margin and risk targets are met.

The role is office-based with some site/office visits; you will manage live contracts, lead negotiations, and deliver governance, reporting and proactive risk management across multiple