Commercial Manager Defence - All levels

Turner & Townsend; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Commercial Manager to support Defence clients in delivering commercial excellence. This role involves developing procurement strategies, managing contracts, and overseeing risk mitigation efforts. You will engage with multiple stakeholders and drive innovative solutions while ensuring compliance with public sector regulations. Join a forward-thinking company that values work-life balance and offers hybrid working options, allowing you to thrive both professionally and personally. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful projects and further your career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Flexible working environment

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in procurement and contract management, ideally in Defence.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with cost analysis expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement commercial strategies and manage procurement processes.
• Oversee contract lifecycle and supplier performance to maximize value.

Skills

Procurement

Contract Management

Risk Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Supplier Performance Monitoring

Education

Degree in Procurement or related field

CIPS Certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Contract Management Systems

Data Analytics Tools

Job description

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Company Description

At Turner & Townsend we're passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 110 offices worldwide.

The Defence Infrastructure Cost Centre provides support to projects that range in complexity and size with our service offerings spanning across Programme and Project Management, Project Planning, Cost Engineering, Risk Management, and Commercial Disciplines.
We provide support to the full project lifecycle both pre-contract and post contract, delivering infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients, that range from several hundred thousand pounds in value to major projects and programmes worth over £200M.

We are actively looking to expand the team due to client requirements and have talented individuals join us who will support our Defence client portfolio, whilst further developing their career, working on a range of complex and challenging commissions.

Job Description

As a Commercial Manager, you will work directly with Defence clients in the Public Sector, supporting them in delivering commercial excellence across procurement, contract management, supplier relationships, business transformation, and strategic decision-making. You will help design and implement commercial strategies, conduct procurement and tendering processes, manage contracts, and oversee risk mitigation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Commercial Strategy

1. Develop and assure business cases, commercial strategies, and contracting approaches.
2. Conduct market analysis and strategic sourcing to identify the best commercial approaches.
3. Support end-to-end procurement processes, including tendering, evaluation, and contract negotiation.
4. Develop category management strategies and apply best practices in sourcing and supplier selection.

Contract & Supplier Management

1. Implement and manage contract lifecycle processes, ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations (DSPCR, PCR and PA).
2. Proactively monitor supplier performance, applying strategies and tools to secure the maximum value from contract, motivating performance and driving innovation and continuous improvement.
3. Resolve disputes, manage contract variations, and drive supplier accountability.

Risk & Performance Management

1. Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial risks to ensure project success.
2. Analyse cost structures and commercial risks to provide strategic insights.
3. Ensure robust contract governance, ensuring accountability and compliance at all levels.
4. Provide commercial assurance and guidance to senior stakeholders and project leaders.

Business Transformation & Stakeholder Engagement

1. Support business transformation, change management, and efficiency initiatives.
2. Work closely with internal teams and clients to implement innovative contractual arrangements.
3. Engage with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, suppliers, and programme teams.
4. Engaging in knowledge sharing activities across the business and supporting more junior colleagues (where applicable).

Required Skills & Experience

1. Extensive commercial experience in procurement, contract placement, and contract management, preferably within Defence or a related sector.
2. Ability to identify the most suitable commercial approach, balancing risk and value.
3. Experience in negotiating and managing single-source and competitive contracts.
4. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with expertise in cost analysis and supplier performance monitoring.
5. Knowledge of contract forms such as NEC, FIDIC, and JCT.
6. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, contract-related management information systems, and data analytics tools.

Desirable Experience

1. Background in Government Procurement processes.
2. Experience working on major public sector programmes in Defence, Technology, or Infrastructure.
3. Experience of category management, transformation programmes, and innovative commercial solutions.

Qualifications

1. Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in Procurement, Commercial Management, Business, Law, Project Management, or a related field, or an equivalent level of experience.
2. Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), or a similar procurement certification/level of experience.
3. UK MoD Security Clearance (or ability to obtain).

Security Clearance

Important: Before applying, due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a SOLE UK National who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC).

Working in teams/site attendance

Turner & Townsend recognises the importance of helping its employees harmonise their work and home life by offering hybrid working, that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities. At the same time T&T recognises that employee office and site attendance must at all times remain in line with the demands of the business and clients. Currently, we anticipate you being on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices 60% of your time, but this may flex depending on client and business requirements.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com