COMMERCIAL MANAGER

Role: Commercial Manager - Metal Fabrication 

Location: Coventry

Salary: £60 to £70k + benefits (25+8 holiday in 1st year, then 30+8 from 2nd year)

The business

Privately owned, growing metal fabrication specialist providing laser cutting, press braking, welding and CNC machining services to a diverse industrial customer base.

Role overview

The Commercial Manager will own the commercial and sales strategy for the business, driving profitable growth across existing and new customers. You will lead quoting, pricing and contract negotiation, ensure projects are delivered to agreed margin, and act as the key interface between customers, production and the leadership team.

Ideally worked in a Senior role within an Engineering, and/or Manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the commercial strategy and annual sales plan, aligned to capacity across the business, including fabrication, sheet metal, and welding laser cutting, press brake, and CNC machining.

• Lead and coach the internal sales / estimating team (where applicable) to respond quickly and accurately to RFQs, tenders and repeat work.

• Own the end‑to‑end quotation process: reviewing drawings, specifications and tolerances with engineering to ensure accurate routings, cycle times and material yields.

• Set and manage pricing and margin guidelines; review job profitability and implement actions where work falls below target margin.

• Negotiate commercial terms with customers and key suppliers, ensuring contracts and frameworks protect the business and support long‑term relationships.

• Work closely with production, planning and operations to ensure capacity, lead times and OTIF performance are achievable before commitments are made.

• Monitor sales pipeline, conversion rates and key commercial KPIs; report monthly to the Directors on performance, risks and opportunities.

• Identify and pursue new market opportunities in target sectors (e.g. automotive, off‑highway, construction, materials handling, general engineering).

• Support NPI and prototype work with realistic commercial models that can transition into stable series pricing.

• Lead customer review meetings, handle escalations, and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Candidate profile

• Proven experience in a Commercial Manager / Sales Manager / Estimating Manager role within metal fabrication, precision engineering or a closely related subcontract manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of fabrication and machining processes, routings, materials and typical cost drivers (labour, machine time, material utilisation, subcontract processes).

• Demonstrable track record of growing revenue and improving margin while maintaining strong long‑term customer relationships.

• Confident negotiating contracts, pricing and terms, with good commercial judgement and risk awareness.

• Comfortable reading engineering drawings and working alongside engineers and production teams.

• Numerate and analytical, able to build and review quotes, forecast sales, and report clearly on performance.

• Strong communicator and relationship‑builder, able to represent the business professionally with customers at all levels.