Junior Technical / Commercial Assistant

RETAIND Ltd; Corby; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

RETAIND Ltd in Corby, Northamptonshire, is seeking a Junior Technical / Commercial Assistant to join its growing manufacturing team. This role combines engineering, manufacturing and commercial responsibilities, offering hands-on training in products, materials and processes, learning to interpret drawings, prepare quotations and support orders through production.

You will develop technical understanding through collaboration with production and the Commercial Manager, building confidence

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an identical position is NOT essential. This is a developmental appointment, and relevant training will be provided.
• We're particularly interested in candidates with either a technical qualification or some early experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to interpret dimensions, materials and specifications and learn to use company systems.

Responsibilities

• Receiving and responding to customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Reviewing customer requirements, drawings and specifications.
• Learning to interpret engineering/CAD drawings and identify dimensions, materials, quantities and other relevant specifications.
• Developing a detailed understanding of the company's materials, products and manufacturing processes.
• Assisting with the preparation and issue of customer quotations.
• Learning how materials, processes, quantities and manufacturing requirements influence pricing.
• Liaising with customers to clarify technical and commercial requirements.
• Following up outstanding quotations and maintaining an accurate pipeline of opportunities.
• Processing customer purchase orders and checking these against quotations and specifications.
• Preparing and issuing order acknowledgements and confirmations.
• Working closely with production and other departments to ensure customer requirements are accurately communicated.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Technical aptitude

Willingness to learn

Education

Degree/HNC/HND/BTEC or apprenticeship in Mechanical/Engineering

Tools

CAD drawings

Job description

Junior Technical / Commercial Assistant

£28,000 - £32,000 per annum, (depending on experience)

Permanent, Full-Time

Corby, Northamptonshire - Office Based

An established and growing manufacturing business is looking for a Junior Technical / Commercial Assistant to join its commercial team in Corby.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career combining engineering, manufacturing and commercial responsibility.

Working closely with an experienced Commercial Manager, you will receive hands‑on training in the company's products, materials and manufacturing processes. You will gradually develop the technical knowledge required to understand customer requirements, interpret engineering drawings, prepare quotations and support orders through the manufacturing process.

This could suit a recent Engineering or Manufacturing graduate, someone with an HNC/HND or technical apprenticeship, or an early‑career candidate already working within manufacturing who wants to progress into a technical and commercially focused position.

You are not expected to be an experienced estimator. The company is looking for someone with good technical aptitude, strong communication skills and, most importantly, the ability and desire to learn.

The Role

You will be involved throughout the customer and commercial process, from initial enquiry and quotation through to order confirmation and production.

Your responsibilities will include

• Receiving and responding to customer enquiries by telephone and email
• Reviewing customer requirements, drawings and specifications
• Learning to interpret engineering/CAD drawings and identify dimensions, materials, quantities and other relevant specifications
• Developing a detailed understanding of the company's materials, products and manufacturing processes
• Assisting with the preparation and issue of customer quotations
• Learning how materials, processes, quantities and manufacturing requirements influence pricing
• Liaising with customers to clarify technical and commercial requirements
• Following up outstanding quotations and maintaining an accurate pipeline of opportunities
• Processing customer purchase orders and checking these against quotations and specifications
• Preparing and issuing order acknowledgements and confirmations
• Working closely with production and other departments to ensure customer requirements are accurately communicated
• Assisting with order and contract reviews before work progresses into production
• Providing customers with information regarding quotations, orders and lead times
• Helping to resolve customer, production and specification queries
• Maintaining accurate quotation, order and customer information on internal systems
• Supporting the Commercial Manager with wider commercial activities
• Assisting with occasional marketing activity, including LinkedIn, email campaigns and straightforward content using digital and AI tools

About You

Previous experience in an identical position is NOT essential. This is a developmental appointment, and relevant training will be provided.

We're particularly interested in candidates with either a technical qualification or some early experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

You may have

• A degree, HNC/HND, BTEC, apprenticeship or similar qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, Engineering Design, CAD or another relevant discipline
• Alternatively, some experience within manufacturing, engineering, estimating, technical administration, internal sales, production or commercial support
• An interest in manufacturing and understanding how products are made
• Some previous exposure to engineering drawings or CAD, although further training will be provided
• Good numerical ability and confidence working with dimensions, measurements and technical information
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence speaking with customers by telephone and email
• Good general IT skills, including Microsoft Office
• A willingness to learn and take on increasing levels of responsibility

Above all, we're looking for someone who is technically curious, commercially minded and keen to develop.

Training & Career Development

This isn't simply an administrative position.

You will work closely with experienced colleagues to develop practical knowledge of:

• Engineering drawings
• Materials
• Manufacturing processes
• Technical estimating
• Costing and quotations
• Order processing
• Contract review
• Customer management
• Production processes

As your technical knowledge and confidence develop, you will be given increasing responsibility for handling enquiries, preparing quotations and managing customer requirements independently.

For someone at the beginning of their career, this represents an opportunity to gain a broad understanding of how a successful manufacturing business operates while developing valuable technical, estimating and commercial skills