Commercial Operations Manager

Universal Business Team; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing organization in the East Midlands is seeking a Commercial Operations Manager to drive profitability and operational excellence. This newly created role offers autonomy and influence at the board level, focusing on maximising gross profit and managing costs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in commercial management, cost control, and supplier negotiations. This position provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to a company targeting significant growth within the next few years.

Benefits

GBS Bonus Scheme

Lunch provided

Company laptop and phone

Pension (auto-enrolment)

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management or a similar leadership role.
• Strong background in cost control and supplier negotiation.
• Experience in buy/sell trading businesses (animal health, FMCG).

Responsibilities

• Lead optimisation of gross profit across all service lines.
• Negotiate improved supplier terms and commercial agreements.
• Support strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting.

Skills

Commercial management

Cost control

Supplier negotiation

Margin optimisation

Analytical mindset

Effective communication

Resilient personality

Tools

ERP systems (Unleashed)

CRM tools (Pipedrive)

Job description

Salary: 75,000- 85,000 per annum (negotiable depending on experience)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Benefits:

• GBS Bonus Scheme
• Lunch provided
• Company laptop and phone
• Pension (auto-enrolment)
• On-site parking

About the Role

We are seeking a Commercial Operations Manager to join a growing leadership team and play a pivotal role in driving profitability and operational excellence. This is a newly created position designed to support ambitious growth plans, with the company targeting a 20m turnover within three years.

You will be responsible for maximising gross profit, controlling direct costs, and ensuring commercial discipline across all areas of the business. This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on commercial management, offering autonomy and influence at board level.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead optimisation of gross profit across all service lines and customer segments
• Own and manage all direct costs above the line, ensuring accuracy in budgets and forecasts
• Develop pricing and margin strategies to maintain competitiveness
• Drive OTIF (On Time In Full) performance to 95%
• Transform Farm Support into a profit centre through cost control and internal recharges
• Negotiate improved supplier terms, rebates, and commercial agreements
• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Operations, and Procurement to align commercial objectives
• Provide visibility on operational performance and cost variances
• Support strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in commercial management or a similar leadership role
• Strong background in cost control, supplier negotiation, and margin optimisation
• Experience in buy/sell trading businesses (animal health, FMCG, industrial supplies)
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret financial and operational data
• Skilled negotiator with a track record of improving supplier terms
• Effective communicator with influence across all levels
• Resilient, proactive, and detail‑oriented personality

Desirable

• Experience in businesses 10m- 20m+ turnover
• Familiarity with importing and after‑sales service operations
• Knowledge of ERP systems (Unleashed) and CRM tools (Pipedrive)

Ready to take ownership and make a measurable impact? Apply today and join a fast‑growing organisation with clear vision, strong leadership, and exciting progression opportunities.