Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting

Marshalls plc; Elland; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the construction materials sector is seeking a Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting. This strategic, customer-facing role emphasizes enhancing forecasting processes and optimizing commercial efficiencies and requires strong leadership skills. The successful candidate will collaborate across multiple functions and drive change while ensuring accountability and performance improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to create and manage accurate demand forecasts.
• Deep understanding of sales cycles and customer engagement.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead demand planning and forecast processes.
• Oversee and optimize commercial operations.
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, and Marketing teams.

Skills

Strategic Forecast Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Process Design & Improvement

Change Leadership

Data Fluency

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Power BI

Job description

Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting
Field based (typically 2 days in the Elland office)
Competitive salary, benefits, company car & bonus

As a powerhouse in the industry since 1890, we take pride in our legacy of manufacturing quality hard landscaping, building and roofing products. We're proud to have paved every square on the Monopoly board. So, whether you're exploring iconic paths or striking a pose at famous landmarks, chances are you've crossed paths with our products!

We are now hiring for a Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting to transform forecasting and commercial operations into a competitive advantage. As Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting, you won’t just oversee plans — you'll shape them. This is a strategic, customer-facing role focused on embedding forecasting excellence, optimising commercial processes, and driving collaboration across Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, and IT.

So, What’s the mission?
You will be at the forefront of commercial demand planning, focusing on leading a robust and insight-driven forecasting process. Unlike traditional back-office planning roles, this position is deeply commercial and customer-facing — working directly with account managers, sales leaders, and key customers to generate credible, accurate, and actionable forecasts. Our Head of Commercial Operations & Forecasting role is instrumental in shaping the rhythm, capability, and culture of forecasting across the sales function, embedding clear accountability and improving forecast quality at the source.

In addition to forecasting, the role is responsible for overseeing and optimising commercial processes to ensure they are efficient and aligned with broader business goals. This involves analysing existing workflows, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing best practices. The role requires strong collaboration with cross-functional teams — including IT, Finance, and Marketing — to streamline systems and ensure that commercial operations support the company’s strategic direction and enhance customer-facing effectiveness.

Leadership is a core component of the position. You will foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and high standards across the commercial function. Through initiatives that promote best practices and professional development, you’ll help drive performance and support the business in adapting to evolving market demands. As a people leader, you’ll also mentor and manage a Commercial Operations Coordinator, ensuring they deliver valuable support to the wider commercial team while developing their own skills and capabilities.

What are the mission-critical skills?

• Strategic Forecast Leadership: Proven ability to create, manage, and embed accurate demand forecasts that are insight-driven and actionable.
• Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of the sales cycle, customer engagement, and how demand flows across business functions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled at aligning diverse teams and interests across Sales, Marketing, IT, and Finance.
• Process Design & Improvement: Capability to assess, refine, and scale commercial processes that drive efficiency and business alignment.
• Change Leadership: Track record of building capability, influencing cultural change, and delivering results through others.
• Data Fluency: High confidence working with complex data sets; familiarity with planning tools and CRMs (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Power BI).

Desirable:

• Background in construction materials, manufacturing, or multi-site operations
• Experience with ERP or planning tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Power BI)
• Exposure to both commercial and operational leadership roles

What’s in it for you?
You’ll be the force behind a high-performance rhythm that delivers operational clarity, commercial growth, and customer confidence.This is an opportunity to play your part in driving commercial transformation from the front.

Equal Opportunities
Whoever you are and whatever your background, you’ll find a fair and supportive workplace. You’re unique and we want you to bring every part of who you are to work, every day.

We’re committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. To us, this is more than a legal, moral, or ethical necessity – it’s the right thing to do! We want our team to reflect the diverse nature of society and the communities we serve.

Marshalls is a workplace where you’re valued for the contribution you make, and where you can grow and develop by being entirely yourself!

This advert will self-destruct at 4pm on Friday 6th June.