Commercial Manager

A leading public sector organisation is seeking a Commercial Manager for an immediate-start, six-month contract based in Manchester. This role offers you the opportunity to make a significant impact at the heart of a major programme, where your expertise in commercial and procurement management will directly influence delivery outcomes.

You will be instrumental in shaping the commercial landscape, designing strategies that secure optimal results, and acting as the primary liaison between suppliers and internal teams. The organisation values collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and supportive leadership, ensuring you are part of a network that encourages professional growth and provides flexible working opportunities. If you are looking for a role where your skills are valued and your input shapes real change, this is your chance to join a team committed to excellence.

• Immediate-start contract with the opportunity to influence high-value programmes within a respected public sector environment.
• Work closely with finance and programme leads to design and implement commercial strategies that deliver tangible benefits.
• Be the key point of contact for supplier relationships, managing integration, renegotiation, and contract terminations while contributing to organisational success.

What you'll do:

As a Commercial Manager, you will play a pivotal role in evaluating the current commercial environment, understanding its implications for programme delivery, and developing strategies that drive positive outcomes. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve close collaboration with finance leads to clarify contract termination options, renegotiate agreements where necessary, and manage supplier integration processes. You will be responsible for overseeing commercial financial models, acting as the main liaison between suppliers and internal teams, and ensuring compliance with relevant procurement regulations. Success in this role requires you to foster strong interpersonal connections across departments, share knowledge generously within your network, and support ongoing improvements through thoughtful commercial assessments.

• Assess the existing commercial landscape and review its direct impact on programme delivery, ensuring all factors are considered for strategic planning.
• Design and implement commercial approaches tailored to deliver the best possible outcome for the department, collaborating with cross-functional teams throughout.
• Lead supplier integration efforts by managing both relationship dynamics and cost impacts, fostering trust and cooperation among stakeholders.
• Clarify contract termination options by working closely with programme finance leads to understand implications and realise potential benefits.
• Renegotiate existing contracts when required to protect value and align objectives with overall programme goals, maintaining open communication with all parties involved.
• Manage the influence of current commercial financial models on both the programme and department, including pricing mechanisms and cost analysis.
• Act as the primary point of contact between incumbent suppliers and internal teams, facilitating clear communication and resolving sensitive negotiations.
• Collaborate with finance and programme leads to quantify impact, track benefits realisation, and ensure alignment across all functions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations such as the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for legacy contracts.
• Support ongoing improvement initiatives by sharing insights from commercial assessments and contributing to knowledge transfer within the team.

What you bring:

Your proven experience as a Commercial Manager equips you with the practical skills needed to excel in this role. You bring hands-on expertise in procurement management across complex contracts deally within central government or large public sector organisations which enables you to navigate challenging situations with empathy and professionalism.

• Current hands-on procurement experience is essential for this role, enabling you to confidently manage complex contracts within a public sector context.
• Proven track record as a Commercial Manager or equivalent on high-value contracts demonstrates your dependability in delivering successful outcomes.
• Experience in contract renegotiation, variation, and commercial exit including assessing termination rights ensures you can handle sensitive negotiations effectively.
• Strong grasp of commercial financial models such as pricing mechanisms, open-book arrangements, and cost impact analysis allows you to provide valuable insights.
• Ability to work alongside finance and programme leads to quantify impact and track benefits realisation highlights your collaborative approach.
• Knowledge of or experience working under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) alongside Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for legacy contracts ensures regulatory compliance.
• Eligible for BPSS clearance is required so you can operate securely within this environment.
• CIPS / MCIPS qualification is preferred but not mandatory; Government Commercial Function accreditation is also desirable for added credibility.
• Previous experience within central government or large public sector bodies would be advantageous in understanding organisational dynamics.
• Personal attributes such as being commercially astute, analytical, pragmatic, outcome-focused, clear communicator who builds trust quickly are highly valued.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates