Commercial Manager

Job Advert; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Advert in Ipswich is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to own the commercial and contractual aspects of bespoke marine and industrial power generation projects. You will work with the MD and cross-functional teams from tender through to delivery.

The role protects margin, cash flow and commercial position, while maintaining strong customer and supplier relationships. A hands-on, practical candidate with strong commercial judgement is sought.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial management within engineering, manufacturing, marine, energy or capital equipment.
• Experience with tender pricing and margin control.
• Experience with cash flow, payments and contract variations.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the sales forecast aligned with priorities.
• Control stock levels with working capital considerations.
• Validate pricing, margins, payment profiles and risks.
• Negotiate terms with customers, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Ensure commercial handover from sales to delivery.
• Monitor margins, cash flow, variances and invoicing.
• Manage contractual notices and approvals.
• Escalate material commercial risks and resolve disputes.
• Conduct post-project reviews of margin and learnings.
• Provide concise commercial reporting to MD and leadership.
• Develop controls for a growing £16m business.
• Collaborate across Sales, Engineering, Projects, Procurement, Operations and Finance.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Contract negotiation

Cash flow management

Pricing & margins

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Job description

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 escalation 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.

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