Assistant Commercial Manager

Are you a commercially minded procurement professional looking for an opportunity to lead sourcing activities, influence key stakeholders and support projects that deliver real social value?

We're seeking an Assistant Commercial Manager to join our Procurement & Commercial team. In this role, you'll support the delivery of commercial excellence by leading procurement activities, managing contractual and supplier risks, and providing high-quality commercial advice to stakeholders across the organisation.

You'll play a key role in delivering strategic and operational procurement projects, helping to secure value for money while ensuring compliance, transparency and effective governance. Current projects include social impact programmes focused on areas such as rough sleeping initiatives, warmer homes, domestic abuse support and retrofit programmes.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their commercial and procurement career within a complex and purpose-driven environment.

Contract: 6 months

Location: Pier Walk, North Greenwich, SE10

Payrate: £265 p/d PAYE - £361.17 p/d Umbrella

Working Pattern: 50% office attendance over a 4-week period. with Tuesday and Wednesday as preferred office days.

As an Assistant Commercial Manager, you'll contribute across the full commercial lifecycle, supporting both pre-contract and post-contract activities as required.

Key responsibilities include:

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• Leading procurement processes from initiation through to contract award for low and medium complexity procurements, with opportunities to support projects valued up to approximately £5m.
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• Developing sourcing strategies aligned to business needs, category objectives and market trends.
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• Drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs), procurement documentation, pricing schedules and governance papers.
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• Preparing and supporting approval documentation through internal governance processes.
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• Evaluating commercial and sourcing options to achieve value-for-money outcomes.
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• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure requirements are clearly defined and market ready.
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• Supporting the development of commercial strategies and business cases.
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• Managing contracts and supplier relationships, including performance monitoring, governance, risk management and issue resolution.
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• Identifying and mitigating commercial, contractual and supplier risks.
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• Supporting supplier performance reviews and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
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• Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, corporate governance requirements and commercial policies.
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• Maintaining accurate procurement and contract records using relevant systems and tools.
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• Promoting responsible procurement practices and commercial best practice across all activities.
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We're looking for an organised and proactive procurement or commercial professional who can confidently manage multiple priorities while building strong stakeholder relationships.

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• Experience within procurement, commercial, contract management or purchasing environments.
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• Good understanding of procurement methodologies and end-to-end commercial lifecycle management.
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• Experience supporting or leading procurement exercises from planning through to contract award.
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• Knowledge of procurement regulations, governance processes and contract management principles.
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• Experience delivering value-for-money outcomes through effective sourcing and supplier management.
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• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of risk management principles.
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• Excellent written communication skills, with experience drafting procurement and governance documentation.
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• Ability to analyse information, solve problems and make evidence-based recommendations.
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• Strong drafting skills, producing clear and concise procurement and governance documents.
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• Ability to manage procurement activities through the full procurement lifecycle.
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• Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
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• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
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• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
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• Ability to influence and build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
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• Resourceful, self-motivated and proactive approach to gathering information and solving challenges.
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• Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and commercial contracting approaches.
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• Familiarity with SAP Ariba or similar procurement systems (training can be provided).
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• Membership of a relevant professional body such as CIPS or RICS.
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• Experience within infrastructure, public sector, construction or complex commercial environments.
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Applications are also welcomed from candidates with Quantity Surveying experience who can demonstrate:

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• An understanding of construction methods, materials and sustainability principles.
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• Awareness of commercial practices within construction and infrastructure sectors.
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• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and CDM 2015 principles.
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• Experience gained through an apprenticeship, internship or junior commercial role.
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You'll collaborate closely with:

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• Internal business stakeholders across multiple functions.
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• Procurement & Commercial colleagues across all portfolios.
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• Suppliers and delivery partners.
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• GLA, OPDC and other functional bodies.
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• Legal, Finance, Risk & Assurance, SHE and People functions.
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This role offers the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that improve the lives of Londoners while building your commercial and procurement expertise. You'll gain exposure to strategic sourcing, contract management, supplier relationship management and governance processes within a supportive and collaborative team environment.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a tangible impact, develop your commercial career and contribute to projects with genuine social value, we'd love to hear from you.