Commercial Manager

ZipRecruiter; Kirkby-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent defense contractor is seeking a Commercial Manager to lead contract activities and negotiate complex agreements. Based in Barrow-in-Furness, this role involves working closely with international customers and requires a degree in a relevant subject. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in commercial management and strong skills in contract negotiation. This position offers hybrid work flexibility.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Health and lifestyle benefits

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management within a major project or complex programme environment.
• Ability to manage and negotiate complex contracts.
• Strong understanding of bid management processes.

Responsibilities

• Support contract activity, including drafting and negotiation of terms.
• Ensure compliance with operational frameworks and processes.
• Interface with customers to manage contract requirements.

Skills

Commercial management

Contract negotiation

Bid management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Commercial Manager

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (3 days per week onsite). We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: £55,000 depending on skills and experience

Responsibilities:

• Support to all contract activity including the drafting and negotiation of complex terms and conditions and associated agreements with customers ensuring the interests of BAE Systems
• Responsible for all contract aspects of business winning
• Responsible for ensuring that contract activity is undertaken in accordance with BAE Systems Operational Framework and relevant business unit commercial processes including Request for Bid Approval
• Responsible for delivery of commercial interface with Procurement and flow-down of commercial contract requirements
• Support all Contract and Bid Status Reviews to justify, explain and clear ongoing commercial contract activities
• Contract interface with domestic and international customers

Requirements:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject, e.g. Law, or evidence of relevant experience
• Proven experience in commercial management within a major project or complex programme environment
• Skilled in drafting, negotiating, and managing complex contracts and associated agreements with domestic and international customers.
• Strong understanding of bid management processes and experience supporting business-winning activities
• Knowledge of commercial governance frameworks and processes, including Request for Bid Approval
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Procurement, Finance, Estimating, and Project Management

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

About the Team:

The AUKUS Commercial team is entering a pivotal phase of expansion, marked by the UK Programme of Record, the arrival of an Australian partner under the tri-AUKUS agreement, and planned investments in critical enablers to strengthen our capacity, capability, and resilience.

This growth drives the need to establish a dedicated bid management function to develop high-quality, best-practice proposals that meet evolving customer requirements. This role presents an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed, innovative team working on unique international contracts and shaping the future of our bid and contracting strategy.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Security and Export Control Restrictions:

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.

Application Instructions:

Closing Date: 13th October 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.