Graduate Commercial Assistant

RETAIND Ltd; Corby; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

RETAIND Ltd. in Corby is seeking a Graduate Commercial Assistant to support the sales team. You will handle customer enquiries, prepare quotations, process orders and assist with marketing activities using AI tools.

Full training will be provided; ideal for recent graduates or those with up to three years' experience who want to grow in a commercial manufacturing environment. Office-based role with a structured induction and exposure to CAD interpretations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business/technical subject as listed in the job posting.
• Understanding of commercial principles gained through studies, such as customer relationships, costing, marketing or business operations.
• Confident and professional communication skills.
• Good numerical skills with prices, figures and spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Responding to customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Gathering customer requirements and obtaining information needed to prepare quotations.
• Preparing and issuing accurate quotations, with support as you develop your knowledge.
• Following up quotations and maintaining records of customer activity.
• Processing sales orders and checking pricing, specifications and customer details.
• Providing customers with information on orders, lead times and progress.
• Liaising with production and operations teams to keep orders moving.
• Building positive working relationships with customers and prospective clients.
• Learning to interpret customer drawings, including CAD drawings, and specifications.
• Checking orders against quotations and agreed customer requirements
• Maintaining accurate customer, pricing and order information
• Assisting with email campaigns and other marketing tasks using digital and AI tools
• Helping resolve customer queries alongside relevant colleagues
• Supporting the Commercial Manager with day-to-day sales administration

Skills

Communication skills

Numerical skills

Organisation

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Excel

Prioritisation

CAD drawings interpretation

Education

Bachelor degree in Business Management / Business Studies / Business with Marketing / Operations Management or related subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Graduate Commercial Assistant - Sales Support

£28,000 - £30,000 per annum, depending on experience

Permanent, Full-Time

Corby, Northamptonshire - Office Based

An established manufacturing business is looking for a Graduate Commercial Assistant to join its commercial team.

This is an opportunity to put your business or technical studies into practice in a varied role covering customer service, sales support, quotations and order coordination.

Working closely with the Commercial Manager, you will support customers from their initial enquiry through to quotation, order processing and production. You will also assist with straightforward marketing activities, including email campaigns using existing templates, AI and online tools.

The position would suit a recent graduate or someone with up to three years' relevant experience who wants to develop a career within a commercial manufacturing environment.

Full product and technical training will be provided, including guidance on interpreting customer drawings and preparing quotations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responding to customer enquiries by telephone and email
• Gathering customer requirements and obtaining information needed to prepare quotations
• Preparing and issuing accurate quotations, with support as you develop your knowledge
• Following up quotations and maintaining records of customer activity
• Processing sales orders and checking pricing, specifications and customer details
• Providing customers with information on orders, lead times and progress
• Liaising with production and operations teams to keep orders moving
• Building positive working relationships with customers and prospective clients
• Learning to interpret customer drawings, including CAD drawings, and specifications
• Checking orders against quotations and agreed customer requirements
• Maintaining accurate customer, pricing and order information
• Assisting with email campaigns and other marketing tasks using digital and AI tools
• Helping resolve customer queries alongside relevant colleagues
• Supporting the Commercial Manager with day-to-day sales administration

What We're Looking For:

• A degree in Business Management, Business Studies, Business with Marketing, Operations Management, Engineering Management or a related business or technical subject
• An understanding of relevant commercial principles gained through your studies, such as customer relationships, costing, marketing or business operations
• Confident and professional communication skills
• Good numerical skills and confidence working with prices, figures and spreadsheets
• Strong organisation, accuracy and attention to detail
• A customer-focused approach and an interest in building lasting working relationships
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• The ability to manage competing priorities and follow tasks through to completion
• A willingness to learn about manufacturing processes, technical information and the wider commercial function

Relevant Experience:

An industrial placement, internship or subsequent role within manufacturing, engineering or another business-to-business environment would be particularly useful.

Experience involving customer contact, sales support, quotations, order processing or commercial administration would be an advantage. Relevant university projects and practical assignments will also be considered.

Familiarity with email marketing, AI tools, CRM or order-processing systems would be helpful. Previous experience interpreting CAD drawings is not essential.

The Opportunity:

You will gain practical experience across the commercial function, with support from the Commercial Manager and colleagues throughout the business.

As your knowledge and confidence grow, there will be scope to take on greater responsibility across customer accounts, quotations, estimating and commercial coordination.