Commercial Manager

Protect value. Drive savings. Enable strong supplier performance.

The Commercial Manager plays a key role within MBNL's Commercial directorate, responsible for managing supplier relationships and contracts across a defined portfolio. You'll ensure robust commercial governance, effective supplier performance, and strong cost control across procurement and in-life contract management.

Operating at the interface between business, suppliers, and shareholders, you'll provide expert commercial support that minimises risk, drives value, and enables successful delivery across MBNL programmes and projects.

Why this role matters:

Strong commercial management underpins MBNL's ability to deliver value for shareholders while operating efficiently in a complex, multi-supplier environment. This role ensures contracts are well-structured, suppliers are held to account, and commercial risks and costs are actively managed throughout the contract life cycle.

By embedding consistent commercial standards and proactive supplier management, you'll help MBNL achieve better outcomes from its supply chain. This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 2 days per week in our Central Reading office.

What you'll be here to do:

• You'll manage all commercial aspects of your supplier portfolio, from strategy through contract close-out. You'll:
• Own supplier relationships and the full commercial life cycle including selection, contracting, in-life management, and exit
• Ensure all commercial activity complies with MBNL commercial policy, governance, and delegation frameworks
• Lead tenders, negotiations, and contract awards in line with shareholder and business requirements
• Negotiate pricing, identify savings opportunities, and drive opex efficiency
• Draft, negotiate, and manage framework and project contracts in partnership with Legal
• Manage contract change control, risk, and dispute resolution up to Director level
• Track supplier performance against contractual KPIs and drive corrective action where required
• Maintain accurate contract and pricing data within MBNL systems
• Support audits and provide clear commercial reporting and insight
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders, including shareholder forums
• Challenge the status quo and bring market insight to drive continuous improvement

Who we're looking for:

• You're a commercially astute professional with strong negotiation skills and experience managing complex supplier relationships. You're comfortable operating independently, influencing stakeholders, and delivering results in fast-paced environments.

You'll have:

• Experience negotiating complex framework or strategic contracts
• Strong supplier and contract management experience
• Good understanding of contract law and commercial risk
• Telecommunications industry experience
• The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

If you also have the following, we're especially interested in talking to you:

• Professional qualifications (eg MCIPS) and experience in JV or multi-stakeholder environments.

Project People is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.