Head of Commercial

Wernick Group Limited; Cannock; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Free onsite parking

Training and progression opportunities

Job summary

Wernick Group Limited is seeking a commercially sharp Quantity Surveyor to join the Senior Leadership Team at Cannock. You will own commercial performance across modular hire, lead estimating and contract administration, and guide risk, forecasting and profitability across projects nationwide.

You will manage a skilled team, develop commercial processes, and collaborate with operations to deliver safe, profitable projects in line with contract requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree, HNC or HND in Quantity Surveying or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the commercial, estimating and contractual functions.
• Oversee cost control, cashflow, valuations and margin from tender to final account.
• Review, negotiate and administer NEC and JCT contracts and guide claims, disputes and compliance.
• Drive governance, reporting and continuous improvement of commercial processes.
• Collaborate with operations and project teams to deliver commercial objectives.

Skills

Commercial leadership

NEC/JCT contracts experience

Final accounts negotiation

Cashflow forecasting

Education

Quantity Surveying degree

Job description

About Us

Wernick Modular Hire is one of the UK's leading providers of modular buildings for hire. We deliver high-quality, building regulation-compliant space solutions for customers across education, healthcare, construction, infrastructure and commercial sectors.

Through our complete turnkey service, we provide everything from single modular buildings to large multi-storey facilities, supported by a national hire fleet, expert project delivery teams and our refurbishment and reconfiguration facility at Cannock.

Part of the Wernick Group, we are committed to safety, quality, customer service and continuous improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team and take full ownership of commercial performance across our Modular Hire business. You will lead the commercial, contractual and estimating functions, and you will have a real voice in how the business plans, performs and grows.

Based at our Cannock site with responsibility for projects across the country, you will make sure every project is delivered safely, profitably and in line with its contract. You will turn commercial insight into clear decisions, protect the business from risk and build a team that delivers sustainable growth.

If you are a commercially sharp Quantity Surveyor who is ready to lead, influence and make a visible difference, this role is for you.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities

You will lead commercial activity from first tender through to final account. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Commercial leadership: Lead and develop the commercial, estimating and contractual functions, and give clear commercial advice to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Strategy and growth: Support business growth and profitability through accurate forecasting, risk assessment and performance reporting.
• Contracts and risk: Lead the review, negotiation and administration of NEC and JCT contracts, and guide the business on claims, disputes and compliance.
• Project performance: Oversee cost control, cashflow, valuations and margin from tender to final account, and take corrective action when needed.
• Variations and final accounts: Lead the recovery of variations and change events, and agree final accounts on time.
• Governance: Set up and maintain effective commercial controls, governance and reporting.
• Continuous improvement: Improve commercial systems, processes and reporting, and drive consistent best practice across the business.
• Collaboration: Work closely with operational and project teams to achieve shared commercial objectives.

You will lead a skilled team and work with people across the business and the wider industry.

• Your team: Commercial Managers, the Head of Design, Estimators and Commercial Administrators.
• People development: Lead, mentor and develop your team, including recruitment, succession planning and performance management, and build a high-performance culture focused on accountability and delivery.
• Commercial capability: Build commercial competence and contract awareness throughout the organisation.
• Internal partners: Senior Leadership Team, Operations, Project Delivery, Finance, Procurement, Design and Factory Management teams.
• External partners: Clients, main contractors, consultants, quantity surveyors, legal advisors, framework providers and supply chain partners.

  Essential requirements for the role:

• A degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying.
• Commercial leadership: Significant commercial management experience in construction, modular construction, offsite manufacturing or a similar project-based environment.
• Extensive experience of administering and managing NEC and JCT contracts.
• A proven record in final account preparation, negotiation and settlement.
• Proven experience of contract negotiation and dispute resolution.
• Proven experience of variation management, change control, cost control, forecasting and margin management.
• Proven experience of commercial risk management, cashflow forecasting and financial reporting.
• Proven experience of procurement and supply chain commercial management.
• A track record of leading and developing commercial teams.

Desirable requirements for the role

• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB or equivalent.
• Continued professional development in commercial management, construction law or contract administration is desirable.

Your Future with the Wernick Group

At Wernick, you're more than an employee; you're a vital part of a team that’s building the future of construction. Join us in our journey of continuous innovation and commitment to quality, and let's be 'Altogether Stronger'.

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Generous holiday allowance (rising with service)
• Option to buy, sell or carry over up to 5 days holiday
• Christmas Shutdown
• Early finish Friday (working hours 35 per week)
• Group pension scheme
• Annual Salary review – takes place each January (dependent on joining date)
• Long service awards
• Employee of the Month awards
• Customer service awards
• Life Assurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Free onsite parking
• Employee assistance programme
• Training and progression opportunities
• Family run and well established, secure company (trading 92 years)
• Open door policy
• Employee Referral scheme
• Benefits scheme (discounted retailers such as money off Apple, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Currys, Argos, Tesco and restaurants including Harvester, Miller and Carter, Nandos and many more)
• Ideas portal (message the CEO) and awards for implemented suggestions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual paid volunteering day
• Healthcare cash plan

The company is unable to sponsor employment of international workers in this role. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Please note, this vacancy is subject to close earlier than the stated closing date dependent on application numbers

If you require any reasonable adjustments for your interview, please advise our recruitment team as soon as possible, there will be a pre-screening call, and 1st and 2nd interviews for this role.

Required Criteria

• A degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying.
• Commercial leadership: Significant commercial management experience in construction, modular construction, offsite manufacturing or a similar project-based environment.
• Extensive experience of administering and managing NEC and JCT contracts.
• A proven record in final account preparation, negotiation and settlement
• Proven experience of procurement and supply chain commercial management.
• Proven experience of commercial risk management, cashflow forecasting and financial reporting.

Desired Criteria

• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB or equivalent.
• Continued professional development in commercial management, construction law or contract administration is desirable.

About The Company

Why Build Your Career with Wernick Group?

Rich Heritage, Progressive Future: As a family-owned and operated business since our inception, we blend traditional values with a forward-looking approach. This unique combination ensures a work environment that respects legacy while embracing the future.

Diverse Opportunities: Our expansive operations, with 40 centres across 36 UK locations, offer a vast array of roles and career paths in the public and private sectors. From modular building solutions to off-grid power, your professional journey can be as dynamic and varied as our services.

Commitment to Excellence: At Wernick, excellence isn’t just a goal; it's our way of life. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding product quality and service, creating an environment where your work directly contributes to customer satisfaction and business success.

Continuous Investment in People: We believe in nurturing talent from within. Through ongoing training and development opportunities, we invest in your future, ensuring that your career at Wernick is not just a job, but a journey of growth and learning.

Simplicity and Efficiency: Our business model is streamlined to reduce bureaucracy, enabling you to work in an environment that values decisiveness and efficiency. This approach allows you to focus on what you do best, without unnecessary complications.

Environmental and Social Responsibility: We're committed to reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring a safe, positive working environment. Working with us means being part of a team that cares for the planet and its people.

Company Culture

Clear path to progression: We believe everyone should have a clear path on how they can progress. That’s why we have developed the Wernick Way Forward, a personal development plan catered to each employee.

With the Wernick Way Forward, we provide a roadmap that outlines clear and achievable steps for employees to follow in order to reach their career goals.

Trainee programmes: Start your career with one of our trainee programmes. These are designed to help you develop and grow in our business and offer an advance career progression.

The Trainee Yard Operative Programme offers individuals the opportunity to develop their skills and work as a Yard Operative at one of our Hire depots. Engage in hands-on experience as you become a member of our team.

The Graduate Training Programme opens doors to explore every aspect of the company. Gain valuable insights, mentorship and the tools needed to excel as a leader within our company.

Training and development: Feel confident in your role and enjoy what you do. We recognise the need to invest in training and development.

By offering a range of training days/courses for our team we want to create an environment where you can move towards your career goals. We make sure that everyone who works with us has the resources they need to learn and develop their roles. We value mentoring and offer clear routes for career progression.

Company Benefits

Your Future with the Wernick Group

At Wernick, you're more than an employee; you're a vital part of a team that’s building the future of construction. Join us in our journey of continuous innovation and commitment to quality, and let's be 'Altogether Stronger'.

Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Free parking, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Competitive salary, Life insurance, Long service recognition, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Shopping Cashback, Work With Charities, Social Opportunities, Annual Rise, Profit Share, Employee of the Month, Employee Recognition Scheme, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Progression opportunities, Access to Health & Wellbeing app, Long service awards, Service recognition increases to annual leave, Staff celebration events

Salary

Not disclosed