Cala Group Limited
Commercial Manager
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About The Role
Scope of Role
Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Commercial Manager will provide leadership and direction to the regional buying and surveying team, ensuring robust commercial control across residential development projects.
The role is responsible for developing and managing accurate budgets, forecasts, cost control measures, and procurement strategies, while monitoring site performance against financial targets. Working closely with Sales, Land, Construction, Technical, and external consultants, the Commercial Manager ensures strong commercial governance, effective communication, and delivery of business objectives.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
The key responsibilities of the role include (but are not limited to):
- Provide day-to-day leadership for the buying and surveying team, motivating, supporting, and managing performance
- Undertake annual Performance Development Reviews and support both formal and informal training and development activity
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of site performance, budgets, and financial forecasts across the development portfolio
- Provide guidance and challenge to the team in producing accurate and realistic estimates, budgets, and cost forecasts
- Monitor site performance against original plans, budgets, and financial targets, identifying risks and opportunities
- Assist in the preparation of Board papers, reports, and commercial updates
- Support the tendering process, including land bids and PTPs, providing appropriate commercial input
- Manage all post-contract commercial responsibilities across developments
- Lead and manage the subcontractor procurement process, including ordering, valuation, and resolution of contractual disputes
- Create, monitor, and control budgets for subcontractors, materials, preliminaries, sales and marketing, technical, and land costs
- Approve order and payment variations in line with delegated authority levels
- Liaise closely with the buying function to manage material orders and cost control
- Produce accurate cost reports and key date updates within required deadlines
- Communicate regularly with other disciplines including Sales, Land, Construction, Technical, Architects, and Consultants to ensure alignment and informed decision-making
- Promote continuous improvement and challenge existing ways of working to improve commercial performance
- Act as a professional ambassador for Cala, maintaining strong internal and external relationships
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About You
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Degree in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
- Strong commercial management experience within the residential development or construction sector
- Good technical knowledge with working understanding of current Building Regulations and NHBC standards
- Knowledge of standard forms of contract and subcontract arrangements
- Proven experience leading, managing, and motivating commercial teams
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of wider business objectives
- Ability to produce accurate cost reports, forecasts, and presentations
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Highly organised, with strong planning skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work under own initiative and manage conflicting priorities in a time-pressured environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams and external partners
- Self-motivated and proactive, with the confidence to challenge and influence
- Willingness to learn, share ideas, and drive innovation
Desirable:
- Experience working within a PLC housebuilder or large regional developer
- Experience contributing to Board-level reporting and business planning
- Experience supporting land acquisition and viability appraisals
- Professional membership (e.g. RICS) or working towards chartership
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We recognise that a diverse team makes us a stronger and more successful company. We value different ideas and perspectives as it helps improve our decision-making, products and services. And we’re striving to create an inclusive work environment, in which everyone can feel comfortable as themselves, uniquely contribute and do their best work. If we need to adjust anything in our recruitment process to support you, please contact careers@cala.co.uk
About Us
The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder and leading provider of desirable new homes across Scotland, the South of England & Midlands. Driven by a mission to create vibrant and sustainable new communities, our homes are characterised by exceptional design and sector-leading build quality, and we have a passion for providing our customers with a great home buying experience. This is an exciting time to be at Cala. Our approach to sustainability and technology is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and we’re aiming to create an industry-leading experience for both our staff and customers. At Cala, you can expect to be part of an environment which allows you to do meaningful work, while offering opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to be the favoured employer in our industry and beyond. We encourage applications from those who want to be part of a culture where they can thrive, feel a sense of belonging and be comfortable being themselves at work.
We offer an excellent benefits package of 34 days holiday (including public holidays and increasing by a day each year to a maximum of 40), the option to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday, private healthcare, enhanced salary sacrifice pension contributions of 5% employee, 10% employer, ULEV car scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts and much more! (Some benefits will be pro-rated if you were to join on a part time basis)
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