Commercial Manager

Rullion Managed Services; Bristol; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Rullion Ltd is recruiting a Commercial Manager in Bristol to take commercial responsibility for major contracts on a nuclear new build project. You will manage procurement, oversee the full contract lifecycle, and lead supplier relationships to ensure delivery aligns with governance requirements.

You will work with the Senior Commercial Manager and project team to provide commercial guidance, manage risks, and deliver accurate reporting. DBS checks may apply as part of pre-employment screening.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex contracts within major construction, engineering, infrastructure, power or nuclear projects.
• Strong commercial and contract management across the full lifecycle, including procurement, negotiation, administration and close-out.
• Good understanding of NEC and FIDIC forms of contract, and UK contract law.
• Experience managing commercial risk, contract performance, change control, variations and claims.
• Experience supporting procurement activities, including ITT preparation, tender evaluation and contract award.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage supplier and contractor relationships and make sound commercial decisions.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work autonomously in a complex project environment.
• Degree-level qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering or related discipline is desirable.
• Understanding of UK regulatory requirements, project governance and procurement controls.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Contract & Procurement Management: Support procurement, review scope, duration, value and budget to establish commercial strategies.
• Develop ITT and RFQ packages; lead tender evaluations, commercial assessments and negotiations.
• Ensure contractual terms, scope of works, technical specs and commercial requirements align with project objectives.
• Collaborate with technical, planning, safety, quality, procurement and legal stakeholders.
• Identify and manage commercial risks during procurement; secure governance approvals before award.
• Post-Contract & Commercial Management: Take day-to-day commercial management of allocated contracts.
• Act as primary interface between project and suppliers/contractors; monitor performance and costs.
• Manage contract variations, change control, compensation events and commercial claims.
• Ensure contracts are administered per conditions and governance processes.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with suppliers; provide accurate reporting and dashboards.
• Maintain contract documentation and procurement files; ensure close-out and final accounts.
• Contract Close-Out: Lead close-out, negotiations and resolution of outstanding matters.
• Leadership: Manage Commercial Assistants; build relationships with stakeholders; promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Procurement

Tender evaluations

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Financial acumen

Communication

Contract negotiations

Commercial decision making

Education

Quantity Surveying / Commercial Management degree

Tools

NEC/FIDIC knowledge

Job description

Commercial Manager

Contract: 12 Month Rolling Contract

Location: Bristol, BS32 4TS

Hours: 37 hours per week

Start Date: ASAP

Rate: £328 per day (PAYE) / £446 per day (Umbrella)

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Rullion is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Commercial Manager to join the Supply Chain team on a nuclear new build project.

This is an exciting opportunity to take commercial responsibility for major contracts, typically valued between £0-£50m, overseeing the full contract lifecycle from procurement and award through to delivery and final account close-out.

Working closely with the Senior Commercial Manager, Supply Chain Lead and wider project team, you will manage commercial activities, lead supplier relationships and ensure contracts are delivered in line with project objectives and governance requirements. You will also provide support and guidance to Commercial Assistants within the team.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Contract & Procurement Management

• Support the procurement process, working alongside the Senior Commercial Manager and Supply Chain Lead.
• Review contract scope, duration, value and budget requirements to establish appropriate commercial strategies.
• Develop and prepare Invitation to Tender (ITT) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) packages.
• Lead and support tender evaluations, commercial assessments and negotiations.
• Ensure contractual terms, scope of works, technical specifications and commercial requirements are aligned with project objectives.
• Work collaboratively with technical, planning, safety, quality, procurement and legal stakeholders.
• Identify and manage commercial risks during the procurement process.
• Ensure all relevant internal governance approvals are secured ahead of contract award.

Post-Contract & Commercial Management

• Take ownership of the day-to-day commercial management and administration of allocated contracts.
• Act as the primary commercial interface between the project and suppliers/contractors.
• Monitor contractual performance, financial commitments, costs and commercial risks.
• Manage contract variations, change control, compensation events and commercial claims.
• Ensure contractual obligations are understood, monitored and fulfilled.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with suppliers and contractors.
• Provide accurate commercial reporting, progress updates and dashboard information.
• Maintain comprehensive contract documentation, commercial records and procurement files.
• Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with contractual conditions and project governance requirements.

Contract Close-Out

• Lead the commercial close-out process for allocated contracts.
• Manage final account negotiations and agreements.
• Ensure outstanding contractual, financial and commercial matters are resolved.
• Support the successful completion and formal closure of contracts.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Manage and provide direction to Commercial Assistants within your team.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and contractors.
• Work collaboratively across the wider Nuclear New Build project teams.
• Provide commercial advice and support to stakeholders at all levels.
• Promote continuous improvement and professional development within the commercial function.
• Ensure compliance with delegated authority levels and project governance processes.

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience managing and administering complex contracts within major construction, engineering, infrastructure, power or nuclear projects.
• Strong commercial and contract management experience across the full contract lifecycle, including procurement, negotiation, contract administration and close-out.
• Good understanding of contract management best practice, particularly NEC and FIDIC forms of contract, and UK contract law.
• Experience managing commercial risk, contract performance, change control, variations and claims.
• Experience supporting procurement activities, including ITT preparation, tender evaluation and contract award.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to manage supplier and contractor relationships and make sound commercial decisions.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work autonomously in a complex project environment.
• Degree-level qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline is desirable.
• Understanding of UK regulatory requirements, project governance and procurement controls.
• Familiarity with nuclear site licence conditions and the nuclear baseline philosophy is desirable.

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of assignment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About Rullion

This vacancy is being advertised by Rullion Ltd, acting as an employment business.

Since 1978, Rullion has been securing exceptional candidates for a range of clients, from large, well-known brands to SMEs and start-ups. As a family-owned business, we take a credible and honest approach, focusing on building long-lasting relationships with our clients and candidates.

We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees and applicants.

Rullion celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.