Commercial Manager

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Bournemouth; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A defence-focused engineering services business seeks a Commercial Manager. The successful candidate will manage commercial contracts through all stages, engage with key stakeholders, and ensure alignment with business goals. This role, based in Bournemouth, offers hybrid work options and requires expertise in risk management and contract negotiation.

Qualifications

• Experience managing commercial contracts through the full development cycle.
• Ability to harness data for commercial decisions.
• Knowledge of contract development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activities from bid to contract closeout.
• Advise on commercial and contractual matters.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with clients and suppliers.

Skills

Commercial contract management

Negotiation

Risk management

Supplier performance

Education

Degree or legal qualification

Contract management qualification (e.g., IACCM, WCC)

Job description

Job summary

Defence-focused engineering services business is hiring a Commercial Manager. Applicants need commercial contract management expertise, ideally within aerospace, defence contracting, outsourced service provision, or high-trust industry.

Key skills required for this role

Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Officer, Contracts Manager

Important

Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Officer, Contracts Manager

Job description

Defence-focused engineering services business is hiring a Commercial Manager. Applicants need commercial contract management expertise, ideally within aerospace, defence contracting, outsourced service provision, or high-trust industry.

The Commercial Manager will support both new bids and existing programmes across military and commercial customers. Contracts delivered will focus on support services, training, modifications, MRO, upgrades, and NPI. The Commercial Manager will also provide downstream support to procurement colleagues and contribute to activities designed to de-risk the supply chain.

This is an exciting time to join the organization. The Commercial Manager will interact with senior stakeholders across Bids, Sales, Programmes, and Engineering. The role will be based in Bournemouth, with hybrid working options.

Tasks of the Commercial Manager include:

• Lead commercial activities across the full contract lifecycle—from bid to closeout.
• Advise on commercial and contractual matters, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with key clients, suppliers, and government entities.
• Drive supplier performance and risk management strategies.
• Develop and refine KPIs to ensure contract success and continuous improvement.

• Act as a commercial contractual SME to Programme Managers, Bids, and Sales.

Commercial Manager applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Experience managing commercial contracts through the full development cycle, mitigating risk.
• The ability to harness data to make commercial decisions.
• Previous exposure to outsourced engineering, spares/repairs, technical services, high-technology, aerospace, or defence contracts, or contracting within/to central government or the public sector.
• Knowledge of contract development processes.
• Degree-educated, or a legal qualification or contract management qualification (e.g., IACCM, WCC).
• Comfortable working in Bournemouth, Dorset, on a hybrid basis.