Commercial Manager

Wernick Group Limited; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary & bonus

Generous Holiday Allowance

Group Pension

Annual Salary Review

Free Onsite Parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and progression opportunities

Cycle to work scheme

Employee referrals

Discounted retailers’ scheme

Job summary

Wernick Group Limited is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to drive day‑to‑day commercial management for Wernick Buildings. You will protect project profitability, manage contractual and financial risk, and work with Sales, Pre‑construction and Construction teams.

This hands‑on role spans feasibility through final account, ensuring governance and robust oversight to enable strategic risk management and continued profitability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a commercial management or senior quantity surveying role within construction.
• Strong working knowledge of construction contracts, notices, payments, variations and final accounts.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contract terms and related documents.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commercial management across multiple live projects and monitor costs and payments.
• Review contract terms, amendments and guarantees, identifying commercial risks.
• Lead negotiations with clients and contractors to protect profitability and mitigate risk.
• Manage PCSAs, inter-company projects and ensure timely payment applications.
• Support and mentor Quantity Surveying colleagues and uphold governance standards.

Skills

Commercial management experience

Senior quantity surveying

Contractual knowledge

Negotiation experience

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree/HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying or Commercial/Construction Management

Job description

Company Overview

Wernick Buildings is part of the Wernick Group, a well-established, family-owned business with a proud history dating back to 1934. We specialise in the design and construction of modular buildings, delivering high-quality offsite solutions for customers across a range of sectors.

Our continued success is built on quality, dependable service and colleagues who bring enthusiasm, professionalism, friendliness and a genuine can-do approach to their work.

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to drive day-to-day commercial management across Wernick Buildings, with responsibility for maintaining strong commercial control, protecting project profitability and managing contractual and financial risk.

This is a hands-on operational role with broad involvement throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility and tender review through pre-construction, delivery and final account. Working closely with the Commercial Director and teams across Sales, Pre-construction and Construction, you will ensure commercial agreements and contractual obligations are understood, controlled and administered effectively.

By providing robust day-to-day commercial oversight and governance, you will enable the Commercial Director to maintain greater focus on strategic risk management and overall business profitability.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

Feasibility stage

• Coordinate client credit checks and establish appropriate payment terms for enquiries and tenders.
• Advise the Sales Director and Sales Team on contractual obligations and associated commercial risks.
• Review project opportunities at feasibility stage, assessing commercial risk and alignment with business objectives and sales strategy.

Tender submission stage

• Review contract terms, amendments, warranties, bonds, guarantees and associated commercial documents, identifying and advising on commercial risks.
• Attend tender review meetings where required and ensure foreseeable commercial risks are appropriately mitigated, managed and communicated.
• Represent Wernick Buildings at pre-award meetings, bid interviews, commercial negotiations and client presentations where required.

Pre-construction stage

• Lead the commercial and contractual management of PCSAs and inter-company projects.
• Ensure PCSA payment applications are issued and actively managed through to receipt of payment.
• Secure and administer inter-company orders and project variation orders effectively.
• Negotiate and manage the review, acknowledgement, acceptance and execution of client instructions, contracts, PCSAs, collateral warranties, parent company guarantees, bonds, insurances and associated commercial documents in line with internal governance procedures.
• Prepare Internal Order Forms to enable Construction Teams to place subcontract orders.

Construction stage

• Maintain effective commercial oversight across live projects, monitoring contractual obligations, costs, applications for payment, orders, variations and associated receipts.
• Oversee and support the Quantity Surveyor where required with negotiations relating to extensions of time, loss and expense, contra-charges and final accounts.
• Attend dispute avoidance, dispute resolution, adjudication preparation and account settlement meetings as required.
• Identify emerging commercial risks early and work with relevant teams to implement practical mitigation and maintain project profitability.
• Promote consistent commercial governance, accurate records and timely communication across projects.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a commercially astute construction professional who combines strong contractual knowledge with a practical, collaborative approach to project delivery.

You will ideally bring:

• Proven experience in a commercial management or senior quantity surveying role within construction or a closely related project environment.
• Strong working knowledge of construction contracts, contractual notices, payment mechanisms, variations and final accounts.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contract terms and associated documents, including warranties, bonds, guarantees and insurances.
• Experience managing applications for payment and maintaining effective commercial and financial control across multiple projects.
• The confidence to participate in client negotiations, tender reviews and commercial meetings.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to identify risk and balance contractual protection with practical project delivery.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work effectively across Sales, Pre-construction, Construction and senior leadership teams.
• A proactive, organised and detail-focused approach with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• The ability to support and guide Quantity Surveying colleagues while maintaining clear accountability and commercial standards.

Key behaviours

• Commercially focused: protects margin, cash flow and project profitability while supporting sustainable business growth.
• Risk aware: identifies contractual and financial exposure early and takes practical steps to mitigate it.
• Accountable: takes ownership, follows through on commitments and maintains strong commercial controls.
• Collaborative: builds effective relationships across functions and works constructively to resolve issues.
• Professional and credible: communicates clearly and confidently with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Proactive and solutions-focused: anticipates challenges and acts before issues escalated.
• Organised and thorough: maintains accurate records and manages multiple commercial priorities effectively.

What You Will Get in Return

At Wernick, you will be joining an established, family-owned Group with more than 90 years of trading history and a strong focus on long-term development. Our benefits include:

• Competitive Salary & bonus
• Generous Holiday Allowance: (Rising with service) and option to buy extra holidays.
• Group Pension
• Annual Salary Review: Conducted each January.
• Christmas shutdown
• Life Assurance: 2x annual salary.
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Free Onsite Parking
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Training and Progression Opportunities
• Family-run and Well-established Company: Trading over 90 years.
• Open Door Policy
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Benefits Scheme: Discounted retailers’ scheme.
• Corporate Eyecare Scheme through Specsavers
• Direct Communication with MD/CEO and Staff Satisfaction Surveys

Wernick Buildings is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The company is unable to sponsor employment of international workers in this role. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Required Criteria

• Proven experience in a Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or similar commercial leadership role within the construction industry.
• Experience managing the commercial aspects of multiple construction projects simultaneously.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating and administering construction contracts and associated commercial documentation.
• Strong experience managing applications for payment, variations, change control and final accounts.
• Experience identifying, managing and mitigating commercial and contractual risk throughout a project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts and contractual mechanisms.
• Ability to identify commercial risks and implement practical mitigation strategies.
• Ability to build effective relationships with clients, subcontractors and internal teams.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or managing Quantity Surveyors or commercial team members.

Desired Criteria

• Previous experience as a Commercial Manager within a modular, offsite, main contracting or design-and-build environment.
• Experience working on inter-company projects and Pre-Construction Service Agreements (PCSAs).
• Experience working with JCT and/or NEC contract forms.
• Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management or a related discipline

About The Company

Why Build Your Career with Wernick Group?

Rich Heritage, Progressive Future: As a family-owned and operated business since our inception, we blend traditional values with a forward-looking approach. This unique combination ensures a work environment that respects legacy while embracing the future.

Diverse Opportunities: Our expansive operations, with 40 centres across 36 UK locations, offer a vast array of roles and career paths in the public and private sectors. From modular building solutions to off-grid power, your professional journey can be as dynamic and varied as our services.

Commitment to Excellence: At Wernick, excellence isn’t just a goal; it's our way of life. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding product quality and service, creating an environment where your work directly contributes to customer satisfaction and business success.

Continuous Investment in People: We believe in nurturing talent from within. Through ongoing training and development opportunities, we invest in your future, ensuring that your career at Wernick is not just a job, but a journey of growth and learning.

Simplicity and Efficiency: Our business model is streamlined to reduce bureaucracy, enabling you to work in an environment that values decisiveness and efficiency. This approach allows you to focus on what you do best, without unnecessary complications.

Environmental and Social Responsibility: We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring a safe, positive working environment. Working with we means being part of a team that cares for the planet and its people.

Company Culture

Clear path to progression: We believe everyone should have a clear path on how they can progress. That’s why we have developed the Wernick Way Forward, a personal development plan catered to each employee.

With the Wernick Way Forward, we provide a roadmap that outlines clear and achievable steps for employees to follow in order to reach their career goals.

Trainee programmes: Start your career with one of our trainee programmes. These are designed to help you develop and grow in our business and offer an advance career progression.

The Trainee Yard Operative Programme offers individuals the opportunity to develop their skills and work as a Yard Operative at one of our Hire depots. Engage in hands-on experience as you become a member of our team.

The Graduate Training Programme opens doors to explore every aspect of the company. Gain valuable insights, mentorship and the tools needed to excel as a leader within our company.

Training and development: Feel confident in your role and enjoy what you do. We recognise the need to invest in training and development.

By offering a range of training days/courses for our team we want to create an environment where you can move towards your career goals. We make sure that everyone who works with us has the resources they need to learn and develop their roles. We value mentoring and offer clear routes for career progression.

Company Benefits

Your Future with the Wernick Group

At Wernick, you're more than an employee; you're a vital part of a team that’s building the future of construction. Join us in our journey of continuous innovation and commitment to quality, and let's be 'Altogether Stronger'.

Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Free parking, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Competitive salary, Life insurance, Long service recognition, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Shopping Cashback, Work With Charities, Social Opportunities, Annual Rise, Profit Share, Employee of the Month, Employee Recognition Scheme, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Progression opportunities, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Long service awards, Service recognition increases to annual leave, Staff celebration events

Salary

Not disclosed