Commercial Manager in Knutsford)

Ad Warrior Ltd; Knutsford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm based in Knutsford is looking for a Commercial Manager to join their team. The role involves managing procurement processes and contracts in the nuclear, renewables, and industrial sectors. This full-time position allows for a hybrid working environment, combining time in the office and client locations. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and experience in contract management. Benefits include a competitive salary, bonus, and health insurance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Profit-related bonus (10%)

Pension (5% employer and employee)

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Additional day off for your Birthday

Private medical insurance

Employee assistance programme

Free on-site parking

Reimbursement of professional membership fees

Long service awards

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of contracts, procurement policies, and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with engineering contracts such as NEC, IChemE, and FIDIC.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, specifically Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Director in developing the commercial function.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement and contract lifecycle.
• Line management of the contracts and procurement team.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Procurement management

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Education

Degree in Business, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Supply Chain Management

MCIPS / MRICS professional memberships

Job description

Commercial Manager

Competitive Salary

Knutsford, Cheshire (with hybrid working)

Stopford is looking for a Commercial Manager to join our Knutsford head office team and play a key role in shaping the success of our projects across the nuclear, renewables, and industrial sectors.

We are looking for a commercial professional ready to take their next step, or an experienced individual seeking a new challenge.

You are currently working in a commercial, contracts, procurement or quantity surveyor role with experience in multi-disciplinary design engineering, construction or infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with our engineering project delivery teams and client representatives. You will be ready to drive commercial best practice throughout our business, reporting directly to the Commercial Director.

This hybrid role combines working from our head office, with time spent at client offices and sites. This is a full-time, permanent position.

About Stopford

Stopford are at the forefront of the energy transition and together with our clients and partners, we are playing our part in tackling the biggest challenges of our time: energy security, affordability and sustainability.

Commercial Manager responsibilities include

• Support the Commercial Director in developing and delivering the commercial function, facilitating procurement and contract management best practice across the business, spanning bids and contracting, company procurement and client project procurement.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies to deliver client requirements; create and deliver sourcing plans with KPIs and performance metrics.
• Manage and undertake the end-to-end procurement and contract lifecycle including market engagement, RFQ/ITT development, supplier down selection, contract award, mobilisation and active contract management throughout delivery.
• Adhere to company, and where relevant, client procurement and governance processes.
• Assess supplier capability including managing approvals and track supplier performance through KPIs and reporting.
• Plan and manage company procurement activities, including responsibility for corporate buying obligations and PO management.
• Line management of the contracts and procurement team, which includes project contracts and procurement professionals, a Buyer and a Junior Quantity Surveyor.
• Support the Commercial Director with commercial input to prepare bids.
• Provide contract reporting support to project managers.

Role requirements for Commercial Manager

• Comprehensive understanding and experience in interpreting, negotiating, and managing contracts.
• A relevant degree, including Business, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Supply Chain Management (or equivalent experience).
• Actively working towards or hold MCIPS / MRICS professional memberships.
• Hands-on experience with engineering forms of contract such as NEC, IChemE and FIDIC.
• Ability to influence and clearly communicate contractual obligations and risks to internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly disciplined approach to organisation with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience ensuring compliance with company and client procurement policies and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, with strong Excel skills (intermediate to advanced)
• Have the right to live and work in the UK.
• Full UK driving licence as there will be some travel required.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance of at least Security Check level (SC clearance) for this role.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Profit related bonus payment (10%)
• Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional day off to celebrate your Birthday
• Private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Free on-site parking
• Reimbursement of professional membership fees
• Long service awards

Please go to our website for a full job description to familiarise yourself with all of the responsibilities, skills and experience required before you apply.

Please note that we do not accept applications from agencies, and you must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Sponsorship will not be provided for this position.

We look forward to receiving your CV for the post of Commercial Manager.

Closing date: 14 January 2026

Stopford reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we would recommend that you apply as soon as possible.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we are unfortunately not able to respond to each applicant. If you have not been called for interview within 4 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.