Assistant Commercial Manager

Are you working in a commercial, estimating, quantity surveying, finance, or project support role and looking to take the next step in your career?
 
Do you have strong Excel skills and experience managing budgets, quotations, invoices, or project finances?
 
Are you looking for a role that offers genuine career progression within a growing rail and infrastructure business?
 
Location: Grantham (preferred) or Rayleigh office
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum
Benefits:
·25 days annual leave + bank holidays
·3% matched pension scheme
·Professional development, training and chartership support
·Hybrid working available once established in the role
·Structured progression into Commercial Manager level and beyond
 
Role Overview:
Due to continued business growth and the successful delivery of major rail and infrastructure frameworks, my client is looking to appoint an Assistant Commercial Manager to support the commercial delivery of projects across the Eastern region.
 
This role has been created to develop the next generation of commercial professionals within the business. Rather than recruiting an experienced Commercial Manager, the company is looking for an ambitious individual with a solid commercial foundation and the desire to build a long-term career within a supportive and growing organisation.
 
Working closely with experienced commercial and operational leaders, you will gain hands-on exposure to NEC4 contracts, CEMAR processes, commercial risk management, forecasting, contract administration, project financial control, and client-facing commercial activities.
 
You will support the delivery of a wide range of projects, from reactive maintenance works valued below £10,000 through to infrastructure projects exceeding £700,000, providing excellent commercial exposure across a varied portfolio.
 
The successful candidate will be given increasing responsibility as they develop, with a clear progression pathway into Commercial Manager and Senior Commercial Manager positions in the future.
 
Key Responsibilities:
·Assist with the commercial management of multiple projects and maintenance contracts.
·Manage project budgets, monitor costs, and support financial forecasting activities.
·Prepare quotations and pricing submissions for clients.
·Process applications for payment, invoices, and commercial documentation.
·Support the management of project variations and change control processes.
·Assist with identifying and managing commercial and contractual risks.
·Work closely with operational teams to ensure commercial objectives are achieved.
·Maintain accurate commercial records using company accounting systems.
·Support reporting activities and performance analysis using Excel and other commercial tools.
·Liaise with clients and internal stakeholders to ensure projects remain commercially compliant and profitable.
 
Essential Requirements:
·Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project skills.
·Experience working within a commercial, finance, estimating, quantity surveying, project administration, or business support environment.
·Experience working within a commercial function within infrastructure.
·Strong numerical and analytical ability.
·Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced team environment.
·Ability to pass a rail industry medical and Drugs & Alcohol screening.
 
Desirable Requirements:
·Experience using Sage 200, Sage 50, QuickBooks, or similar accounting systems.
·Experience working within the rail sector.
·Understanding of NEC contracts, CEMAR, variations, or change management processes.
·Experience working on planned or reactive maintenance contracts.
·Quantity Surveying, AAT, Business Administration qualification, or similar.
·Previous experience in a Quantity Surveying or Estimating role.
 
Why Apply?
This is far more than a standard commercial support position.
 
The business has a genuine track record of developing and promoting people from within. In fact, the current Commercial Director began their career in an administrative role before progressing through the commercial function into senior leadership.
 
You will receive direct mentoring from experienced commercial professionals, gain exposure to major rail and infrastructure frameworks, and be supported with further qualifications, training, and professional development.
 
Whether your background is in commercial administration, estimating, quantity surveying, finance, or project support, this role offers a rare opportunity to build a long-term career in commercial management within a business that actively invests in its people.
 
For ambitious individuals looking to take the next step, the progression opportunities available are genuinely excellent, with a clear route towards Commercial Manager and beyond.
 
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV to (url removed) or call (phone number removed).