Commercial Manager – Maidstone

Commercial Manager – Construction

Location: Kent

Salary: £60 - £70k PA

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to join a growing construction business and play a key role within its senior commercial team.

This is a hands-on position combining commercial leadership, project delivery and team development. You will take responsibility for the commercial performance of your own projects while also supporting the Commercial Director in developing and managing the wider commercial function as the business continues to grow.

The successful candidate will be commercially astute, confident dealing with clients and supply chain partners, and capable of operating in a fast-paced contractor environment. Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills are essential.

You will become involved from the pre-construction stage through to final account, ensuring projects are commercially well structured, properly procured and delivered in line with agreed margins and business objectives.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Commercial Manager who wants more than simply managing project accounts.

You will have exposure to:

Senior commercial leadership and decision-making.
Client relationship and account management.
Pre-construction and procurement.
Project commercial delivery from £1m–£15m.
Development and leadership of a commercial team.
Board-level financial reporting.
New clients, sectors and project opportunities.
Process improvement and commercial strategy.
Potential progression as the business continues to expand.The role would suit someone who is commercially strong but also people-focused, hands-on and keen to progress into a broader senior leadership position.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Management

Take full commercial responsibility for allocated projects from pre-contract through to completion and final account.
Manage project profitability, margins, costs, cash flow and commercial performance.
Lead the commercial process through procurement, delivery, change management, valuations and final accounts.
Establish and manage the project buy-out process and agree commercial forecasts with senior management.
Prepare and maintain accurate CVRs, forecasts and management reports.
Provide reliable commercial information for monthly senior management and Board reporting.
Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure positive cash flow is maintained across projects.
Negotiate and agree final accounts with clients and subcontractors.Pre-Construction & Procurement

Become involved in projects during the pre-construction phase to ensure they are commercially viable and set up for successful delivery.
Develop procurement strategies and detailed procurement programmes.
Procure subcontractor and supplier packages, including preliminaries and specialist trades.
Ensure appropriate contractual arrangements are in place.
Review and manage design and commercial risks.
Assist with contractor's proposals and pre-contract commercial submissions.
Ensure the supply chain is appropriately vetted and pre-qualified.
Work closely with the construction team on subcontractor selection and interviews.Contract & Change Management

Maintain a strong understanding of the main contract and identify contractual risks and opportunities.
Demonstrate good knowledge of JCT forms of contract.
Manage collateral warranties and associated contractual requirements.
Administer and oversee the change control process.
Ensure variations and commercial changes are properly assessed, recorded and agreed.
Work collaboratively with clients while protecting the company's commercial position.
Support the resolution of payment and contractual issues.Client & Supply Chain Management

Build strong, professional relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
Attend client-led commercial meetings and take responsibility for commercial account management where required.
Agree valuation and payment arrangements with clients and the supply chain.
Lead internal and external commercial meetings.
Negotiate effectively with subcontractors and suppliers.
Maintain a collaborative approach while ensuring commercial objectives are achieved.Leadership & Team Development

Support the Commercial Director in developing the company's commercial function.
Supervise and mentor Commercial Managers and other commercial team members.
Help recruit and build a high-performing commercial team as the business grows.
Provide guidance and support to less experienced members of the team.
Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to improve commercial efficiency and profitability.
Help implement and maintain company commercial, cost-control and supply-chain systems.
Act as a senior member of the wider leadership team.

Project & Sector Experience

The ideal candidate will have experience working for a main contractor, regional contractor or national contractor and will have delivered a variety of construction projects.

Relevant sector experience includes:

Commercial
Living / residential
Leisure
Retail
Mixed-useProject experience could include:

New build
Refurbishment
Extensions
Fit-out / redevelopmentTypical project values are approximately £1m–£15m.

Essential Experience

Minimum 10 years' construction industry experience.
Minimum 5 years' experience in a Commercial Manager or equivalent senior commercial position.
Proven background with a main, regional or national contractor.
Strong experience managing projects commercially from pre-construction through to final account.
Experience managing subcontractor and supplier procurement.
Strong understanding of project cost control, forecasting and profitability.
Experience producing CVRs and commercial management reports.
Strong change control and variation management experience.
Good contractual knowledge, particularly JCT.
Experience negotiating and agreeing final accounts.
Strong understanding of cash flow and commercial risk.
Experience working in fast-paced construction environments.
Proven ability to build relationships with clients and supply chain partners.
Previous experience supervising, mentoring or developing commercial staff.Desirable

Degree/HND/HNC or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Cost Management or a related discipline.
RICS membership or another relevant professional qualification.
Experience across multiple construction sectors.
Experience working on projects between £1m and £15m.
Previous exposure to Board-level reporting.
Experience helping build or expand a commercial team.
Strong knowledge of commercial systems and cost-management processes