Commercial Specialist

Location: Hybrid between Cadent Site & Home

Advertised Salary: £50,940-£56,934 depending on skills & experience

Job Function: Operations

Working Hours: 37

Location Type: Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

Req ID: 3061

Posting End Date: 18/10/26

Location: Hybrid working between Nearest Cadent Office/Location and home – Typically 3 days per week in office

Delivering commercial excellence across Cadent's operations

We're looking for a Commercial Specialist to join our Commercial team and play a pivotal role in driving commercial performance, cost control and contract management across Cadent's operational activities.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced commercial professional who enjoys analysing costs, challenging commercial submissions, managing contractor performance and influencing business decisions. Working closely with operational teams and suppliers, you'll help ensure projects and programmes are delivered efficiently, compliantly and with a strong focus on value for money.

Why you'll love this role

• Drive commercial performance by providing cost control, forecasting and reporting across a diverse portfolio of operational activities.
• Influence key decisions through commercial analysis, cost assurance and expert challenge of contractor submissions and claims.
• Deliver value for money by ensuring costs are effectively managed, benchmarked and controlled.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, contractors and colleagues across the business.
• Support business-critical delivery through effective contract management and commercial governance.
• Lead continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance performance, processes and efficiencies.
• Enjoy varied and rewarding work across forecasting, estimating, auditing, negotiations, contract management and performance monitoring.
• Make a tangible impact on Cadent's operational, financial and regulatory objectives.

What You'll Bring

• Commercial and contract management expertise with experience managing NEC, Term and framework contracts, ensuring compliance, governance and value for money.
• Strong cost management capability, including forecasting, reporting, estimating, target costing, budget monitoring, variation management and final account closure.
• Analytical and commercial judgement to review, challenge and approve contractor claims, compensation events, pricing proposals and commercial risks.
• Stakeholder management skills, building effective relationships with contractors, suppliers and internal colleagues to achieve regulatory and business objectives.
• Performance and assurance focus, using benchmarking, audits and commercial reviews to maintain competitiveness, data quality, contract compliance and cost control.
• Continuous improvement mindset, identifying root causes of performance issues and implementing process improvements that drive efficiency and commercial performance.
• Leadership and collaboration skills, supporting the development of suppliers and colleagues while contributing to a high-performing commercial environment.
• Relevant qualifications and experience, including a degree (or equivalent experience) in a commercial discipline, strong commercial/contract management experience, and a good understanding of operational delivery and engineering activities associated with gas network works.