Commercial Manager

Navantia; West of England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life assurance

Holiday entitlement 249 hours (pro‑rta

Competitive base pay

Opportunities on exciting projects

Job summary

Navantia UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to drive bid-phase commercial activity and oversee contract management for defence and maritime projects.

You will support the Supply Chain team, manage commercial risk, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations across complex tenders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management within Defence, Shipbuilding, or related sectors.
• Excellent financial acumen and analytical capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, commercial principles, and industry regulations.
• Preferably knowledge of Defence contracting, DefCons and also experience of dealing with Single Source Pricing Regulations
• Managing experience with the ability to work in teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as the prime commercial interface with supply chain during the bid phase.
• Support business development in the pre-bid phase.
• Collaborate to set the commercial plan and required resources for bids.
• Provide bid commercial support to align Bid and Procurement Managers.
• Support main contracts negotiations with customers; ensure compliance with policies and legal requirements.
• Support subcontract negotiations with suppliers; ensure flow-down and compliance.
• Coordinate with engineering, supply chain and production to resolve issues.
• Assist in NDA, terms and conditions management for the supply chain.
• Support development of commercial strategies and budgets; manage risks.
• Maintain relationships with clients, suppliers and internal teams for project delivery.

Skills

Commercial management experience

Financial acumen

Analytical capabilities

Contract law knowledge

Defence contracting knowledge

Teamwork and collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field

Tools

N/A

Job description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the- art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Description

The Commercial Management will be important role in supporting the management complex tenders/bids and overseeing key client accounts within the defence and maritime sectors.

Additionally, will have a significant role supporting the Supply Chain management function in the commercial and contract management.

Support strategic planning and finance, to help ensuring compliance with contractual, financial, and legal obligations.

To support the commercial elements of the bids ensure the delivery of mandated outcomes by the application of commercial best practice and management discipline.

Will be part of the bid management team

The Role

Bid Phase

• Be the prime commercial interface with the supply chain during the bid phase (Post Gate 2) in support of the Supply Chane Management Team.
• Will Support the Business Development function in the pre bid phase (Pre Gate 2).
• Collaborate in the setting of the commercial plan and organisation required to support the bid phase of the project and clearly identifying the task and the personnel required to deliver a successful bid phase.
• Provide effective bid commercial support to the Bid team, ensuring that Bid Managers/Procurement Managers of both delivery units are aligned to solution and actively supporting the bid phase.
• Contract & Commercial Management-main contracts: support the commercial negotiations with the customer, ensuring favourable terms and compliance with company policies and legal requirements
• Contract & Commercial Management-subcontracts: support supply chain in the commercial negotiations with the suppliers, ensuring favourable terms and compliance with company policies, flow down of main contract and legal requirements
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and production teams to resolve contract management issues
• Support the Supply Chain management function in all commercial aspects such as in the NDA, terms and conditions management
• Strategic Support: Assist the Commercial and Strategic Bids Director in developing and executing commercial strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Financial Oversight: support the budgets, ensuring the profitability of defence bids.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial risks, including disputes, claims, and variations in support of the Risk Manager.
• Stakeholder Engagement: support the Business Development Leadership in Building and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Support the contract management of ongoing programmes/contracts in relevant contract changes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management within Defence, Shipbuilding, or related sectors
• Excellent financial acumen and analytical capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, commercial principles, and industry regulations.
• Preferably Knowledge of Defence contracting, DefCons and also experience of dealing with Single Source Pricing Regulations
• Managing experience with the ability to work in teams.

Additional Information

• 249holiday hours (pro rata)
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Competitive base pay
• Opportunity to work on exciting projects

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at [emailprotected] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

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