Commercial Manager - C&P

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A major transportation company in Birmingham is looking for a commercial manager to support project teams, ensuring compliance and managing project costs. Ideal candidates will have experience in investment projects, a good understanding of contracts in the railway industry, and strong negotiation skills. This permanent role offers a salary range of £43,588 to £51,719, with hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing investment projects.
• Good understanding of railway and construction industry practices.
• Strong negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost reporting for projects within Network Rail framework.
• Monitor commercial aspects and report on allocated projects.
• Prepare applications for payment/invoices with necessary documentation.

Skills

Commercial project management

Negotiation skills

Understanding of railway contracts

Education

Degree in a related subject

Membership of a professional institute

Job description

Overview

About Network Rail

Join Our Team at Network Rail! Are you ready to make a difference in people\'s lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We\'re an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and to delivering a safe and accessible railway for everyone. We invest in our people to enhance safety, reliability and efficiency of the railway system.

We are an Disability Confident Leader employer and will adapt the process to support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. If you\'re ready to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Brief Description

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides services to the Routes so they can deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a range of services and supplies needed to maintain and operate the railway. This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area that supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable maintenance and renewal of the railway. SCO keeps materials, machinery and components moving so work can proceed on schedule.

Working with us is More than a Salary.

About the role (External)

The role will support the Buildings and Facilities (B&F) portfolio and project team, a distinct portfolio within the programme. The B&F portfolio characteristics include:

• The portfolio has about 75 live projects with contracts based on NEC4.
• Projects are typically short in duration and relatively low value (e.g. £1.5m), with some high value, high profile projects.
• The portfolio is fast-moving with demanding stakeholders; cost management in Oracle, and cost reporting, are key.

Key Accountabilities

1. Support programme and project teams in monitoring compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.
2. Manage cost reporting of all allocated projects within the Network Rail framework including Cost Forecasting, Anticipated Final Cost, Cost of Work Done, Gross Billing and Current Contract Value.
3. Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects; flag issues and propose mitigation actions to the Project Manager/Programme Manager and Senior Commercial Manager.
4. Monitor activities on allocated projects to influence decision making from a commercial perspective; review contractor delivery and lead valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts; attend progress meetings to influence contractor behaviour.
5. Manage assessment and valuation of contractor applications and processing of payment certification in line with Network Rail processes and contract terms; challenge cost elements and ensure valuations align with progress.
6. Provide proactive advice on changes and scope changes; ensure action is taken in accordance with change control systems and prepare required documentation for approval.
7. Prepare applications for payment/invoices to external clients with supporting documentation.
8. Identify and advise on commercial risk/claim events.
9. Provide ad-hoc management information and analysis to support decision-making.
10. Prepare commercial correspondence and notices; ensure records are retained and archived on close-out.
11. Undertake final account settlements and reconciliation to project close-out within agreed timescales.
12. Support cost analysis and continual improvement of estimating through feedback in Cost Allocation processes.
13. Support pre- and post-contract procurement activities as appropriate.
14. Provide support to estimating resources and advise on project scope/scale as required.
15. Support negotiation of prices under existing contracts/framework agreements and participate in risk assessment and value management workshops as required.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects.
• Demonstrable relevant experience.
• Good understanding of railway and construction industry contract forms and practices.
• Good negotiation skills.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent in related subject.
• Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status.
• Significant experience in a generalist commercial environment.
• Awareness of industry issues.

How to apply (External)

Vacancy type: This role is permanent.

Location: Based in Baskerville House, Birmingham. Commercial team members and wider programme team are in Milton Keynes and Waterloo; travel to these locations may be required.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working (3 days in the office) and travel as required.

Salary range: £43,588 to £51,719 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: 13 October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. Role is advertised internally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria; include this in your application and add to your CV in one document. Applicants not completing this statement will not be shortlisted.

For accessibility and adjusted arrangements, please contact [e-mail]. See the guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

Click 'Apply now' to submit your application. If you would like to speak to the Resourcing Team, please contact [e-mail]. If you require reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, contact the Resourcing Team.

Examples of adjustments we can make include: extra time for online tasks or interviews; changes to workspace; additional equipment or support (e.g., sign language interpreters). Please ask for other adjustments as needed.

The recruitment process includes Competency Based Interview; shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone or email. For more information on how we recruit, visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/

Drugs and Alcohol: Some roles require a drugs and alcohol test; a positive result will rescind the offer. Test results are stored securely. See the Drugs and Alcohol Guidance document for details.

More information on accessibility support is available; if you need adjustments, request them in your application.

Network Rail Benefits - See the benefits page for details.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Some roles require face-to-face Drugs & Alcohol testing; details will be provided with the offer.