Commercial and Cost Manager

Role: Commercial Procurement & Cost Manager

Location: Northfleet, Kent Salary: £65,000–£75,000 + car allowance Sector: Construction / Building / Electrical / Repairs & Maintenance

Core purpose of the role

The position is responsible for commercial cost control, procurement, estimating, tendering and supply-chain management, with a strong focus on protecting margins and improving commercial performance.

Main responsibilities

1. Cost & Commercial Management

• Maintain accurate cost information across projects and business activities.

• Compare actual costs against budgets, estimates and contract rates.

• Identify cost risks, variances and opportunities to improve margins.

• Develop reliable cost data and commercial benchmarks.

1. Procurement & Supply Chain

• Develop procurement strategies for materials, equipment and subcontractors.

• Obtain and compare quotations and carry out market testing.

• Negotiate competitive prices and commercial terms.

• Manage supplier/subcontractor performance.

1. Tendering & Pricing

• Provide commercial input into new contract opportunities.

• Develop detailed cost models and tender pricing.

• Use operational data and market intelligence to ensure pricing is competitive and profitable.

• Support business growth through robust commercial proposals.

1. Commercial Improvement & Controls

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

• Develop standard/reusable cost models and benchmarks.

• Introduce and maintain effective commercial controls and governance.

• Analyse performance across contracts.

Essential experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• Strong commercial, Quantity Surveying, estimating or construction procurement experience.

• Experience analysing and managing construction, repairs and maintenance costs.

• Procurement experience covering materials, subcontractors and construction services.

• Experience in repairs & maintenance, planned works or social housing is particularly relevant.

• Understanding of:

• Schedule of Rates

• Target Cost

• Open Book

• Frameworks

• Term Contracts

• Strong negotiation and numerical/analytical skills.

• Advanced Excel capability.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel