Contracting & Commercial Manager

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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