Job Description
Smiths Detection is seeking an experienced and versatile Contracting & Commercial Manager (CM) to join our Programme Excellence Centre (PEC) and support a diverse commercial portfolio across the APAC region.
This is an embedded commercial role responsible for the commercial management of bids, contract negotiation, and end-to-end contract lifecycle management across a portfolio of projects and programmes. The CM plays a key role in maximising revenue and margin while ensuring strong governance, risk mitigation, and customer satisfaction.
Operating within the PEC Contracting & Commercial Capability Framework, this role is critical to driving best-in-class commercial outcomes through disciplined processes, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a developing role, the CM will receive regular support and guidance from a Senior Commercial Manager or the SCM&C Capability Lead.
Key Responsibilities
Contracting & Commercial Governance
- Operate in full alignment with the PEC Contracting & Commercial Capability Framework
- Apply standardized contract management processes tailored to local portfolio needs
- Ensure compliance with Smiths Detection policies, customer requirements, internal governance, and delegation of authority
- Promote strong contract lifecycle management, commercial discipline, and risk mitigation practices
Tenders, Bids & Programme Execution
- Support and lead contract negotiations with customers across airports, critical infrastructure, ports and borders, defence, and related organisations
- Take accountability for the commercial performance of contracts, driving revenue, margin, and cash flow
- Identify, assess, and manage commercial and contractual risks, ensuring appropriate pricing and protections
- Lead commercial change management, including pricing, negotiation of terms, and contract amendments
- Work closely with project delivery teams to ensure understanding and compliance with contractual obligations
- Draft and issue RFPs and contracts to sub-contractors
- Support RFQs, bid responses, and winning proposals, managing stakeholder engagement and approvals
- Act as the primary point of contact for contract administration and commercial correspondence
- Monitor customer and subcontractor performance to proactively manage and resolve commercial issues
- Manage commercial flow-down requirements to sub-contractors, including performance, financial, and security obligations
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Partner closely with sales, legal, procurement, finance, IP, and project delivery teams
- Provide commercial guidance throughout the project/programme lifecycle
- Communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen negotiation strategies and outcomes
- Protect value while supporting customer satisfaction and delivery excellence
People, Capability & Continuous Improvement
- Promote disciplined programme management and commercial best practices
- Mentor and support members of the Commercial team to build capability
- Apply lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
- Use commercial analytics and reporting tools to monitor and improve performance
- Support global PEC transformation and business change initiatives
Policies, Ethics & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with Ethics, Security, Health, Safety, and Environment policies
- Maintain accurate, auditable commercial records
- Proactively develop knowledge of company policies, procedures, and processes
Qualifications
Education & Professional Certification
- Internationally recognised qualification in Commercial or Contract Management (or a development plan in place to achieve this) - essential
- Degree (HND minimum) in Business, Law, Project Management, or similar - desirable.
- Professional body membership (e.g., RICS) - desirable
Knowledge
- Contract law, risk management, and negotiation principles
- Contract lifecycle management and commercial analytics
- Project management methodologies (PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile)
- Export control regulations (desirable)
- Defence contracting frameworks and DEFCONs (where applicable)
- Awareness of integrated, technology-based sensor systems in complex infrastructure environments
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in contract and commercial management within complex organisations
- Experience with high-tech industrial equipment supply into large infrastructure projects
- Exposure to partnerships, channels, and subcontract commercial management
- Familiarity with standard contract forms (e.g., NEC3, IET MF/1)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence across functions and seniority levels
- Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented
- Comfortable managing ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities in fast-paced environments
Competencies
- Strong leadership, interpersonal skills, and commercial acumen
- Ability to influence without authority in matrix and multicultural environments
- Passion for governance, ethics, and continuous improvement
- Resilient, adaptable, and delivery-focused
