Senior Commercial Manager - Utility Compounds

Overview

Position Summary

Commercial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support business objectives, margin targets, and cash flow requirements.
• Provide commercial leadership to project teams, ensuring consistent application of company policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Support business planning, budgeting, and strategic decision-making with commercial insight and analysis.
• Lead or support negotiations for major contracts, variations, claims, and settlements.

Contract Management & Administration

• Review, negotiate, and finalize prime contracts, subcontracts, and consultancy agreements (FIDIC).
• Ensure robust contract administration, including compliance with notice provisions, change management, and claims procedures.
• Draft and review contractual correspondence to protect the company s position and manage disputes proactively.
• Provide guidance on contractual rights and obligations to project managers, procurement, and senior leadership.

Cost Management & Financial Control

• Oversee preparation and management of project budgets, cost plans, and cash flow forecasts.
• Lead cost reporting, including monthly cost/value reconciliations, earned value analysis, and margin analysis.
• Monitor project financial performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions to protect profitability.
• Validate and approve major cost commitments, variations, and final accounts.

Change, Claims & Dispute Management

• Establish and oversee robust change management processes across projects.
• Review, prepare, and negotiate variations, extensions of time, loss and expense, and other claims.
• Coordinate with planning, legal, and technical teams to substantiate and defend claims.
• Manage dispute resolution processes (negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration) where required.

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Support or lead procurement strategies for key packages, including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Negotiate terms with subcontractors and suppliers to optimize cost, risk allocation, and performance obligations.
• Monitor subcontractor commercial performance, including payment applications, variations, and claims.
• Promote long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with strategic supply chain partners.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities across the project lifecycle; maintain and update risk registers.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance, delegation of authority, and internal control frameworks.
• Contribute to bid/no-bid decisions and tender reviews by assessing commercial risk profiles and contractual terms.
• Support audits and internal reviews of commercial practices.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• Act as the primary commercial interface with clients, partners, JV entities, and senior internal stakeholders.
• Provide clear, timely commercial reporting and advice to the Executive Team and Project Directors.
• Present commercial performance, risks, and recovery strategies in management and client meetings.
• Support business development and pre-contract teams with commercial input into proposals and negotiations.

Team Management & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial managers, quantity surveyors, and contract administrators.
• Allocate resources effectively across projects and ensure succession planning for key roles.
• Promote a culture of high performance, integrity, and continuous improvement within the commercial function.