Stratus Search & Recruitment
Commercial Manager
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The Opportunity
We are working with a fast-growing fit out contractor based in the North West of England who are looking to appoint an experienced Commercial Manager with a strong Quantity Surveying background.
The business has established an excellent reputation across the fit out market and currently operates at around £15m turnover, with growth forecast to take the business beyond £20m over the next 12 months.
As the company continues to grow, this is a key appointment within the senior team. They are looking for someone who can take ownership of the commercial function, provide strong leadership to the existing commercial team and introduce a more robust and consistent commercial structure across the business.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Commercial Manager will have responsibility for the commercial management of a growing portfolio of design & build and traditional fit out projects, typically ranging from £300k to £2m in value.
The project portfolio is varied and includes:
- Hospitality venues
- National retail roll-outs
- Commercial office fit outs
- CAT A / CAT B projects
- Design & build schemes
- Bespoke refurbishment and fit out projects
The successful candidate will take a proactive approach to commercial management, ensuring projects are properly commercially controlled from the outset and that the business maximises margin, manages risk and maintains strong cash flow.
A key part of the role will be to develop and implement improved commercial procedures, systems and reporting, bringing greater consistency and visibility to the way projects are commercially managed.
You will also lead and develop the existing commercial team, providing direction, mentoring and support while helping to build the commercial capability required to support the company's continued growth.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Leadership
- Take overall responsibility for the commercial management of the company's project portfolio.
- Lead, manage and develop the existing commercial/QS team.
- Establish clear commercial processes, procedures and standards across the business.
- Introduce improved commercial reporting and management information for the senior leadership team.
- Provide commercial input into business planning, forecasting and growth strategy.
- Work closely with the Managing Director and operational leadership team to identify commercial opportunities and risks.
- Help develop the commercial team and establish clear roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.
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Project Commercial Management
- Take a hands-on lead across current and future projects.
- Manage projects from pre-construction and contract award through to completion and final account.
- Work across both design & build and traditional procurement routes.
- Ensure projects are commercially set up correctly from the outset.
- Review and manage main contracts, sub-contracts and commercial obligations.
- Monitor project performance against budgets, forecasts and agreed margins.
- Manage variations, change control, applications, valuations and final accounts.
- Ensure procurement and subcontract packages are commercially managed effectively.
- Identify and manage commercial and contractual risk throughout the project lifecycle.
- Maintain accurate cost/value forecasting and WIP reporting.
- Monitor cash flow, applications and payments.
- Support project teams in managing commercial issues and contractual matters.
- Ensure projects are commercially closed out effectively and final accounts are agreed promptly.
A significant element of the role will be to bring greater structure and consistency to the company's commercial operation.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager who has the commercial maturity and leadership capability to step into a growing business and make a tangible difference.
You will ideally have:
- A strong background in fit out, refurbishment, interiors or construction working for a tier 2 or 3 contractor.
- Proven experience working as a Quantity Surveyor at project level.
- Experience managing projects from approximately £300k to £2m+.
- Experience working on design & build projects, ideally alongside traditional procurement routes.
- Strong understanding of subcontract procurement and package management.
- Experience with valuations, variations, forecasting, final accounts and cost control.
- Good contractual and commercial awareness.
- Previous experience of managing or mentoring other commercial staff.
- A track record of improving commercial processes and procedures.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both operational and senior management teams.
- The confidence to challenge existing processes and introduce improved ways of working.
- A commercially minded, proactive approach rather than simply an administrative one.
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Most importantly, you will be someone who is comfortable taking ownership. The business is looking for an individual who will challenge existing processes, introduce better ways of working and become a key part of the leadership team as the company grows.
Culture, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The business is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment where people are treated fairly and have the opportunity to develop and progress based on their skills, experience and performance. We do however require candidates to be eligible to work permanently in the UK.
Why Join?
This represents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious commercial professional to join a business at an exciting stage of its development.
The company already has a strong project pipeline and established client base, but is now looking to professionalise and strengthen its commercial operation to support the next phase of growth.
The successful candidate will have genuine influence over how the commercial function develops and will have the opportunity to build a team, implement new processes and ultimately help shape the commercial strategy of the business.
This is a role for someone who wants to build something, not simply inherit a process.
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