Commercial Director
Lucy Group · Essex
Blakley Electrics Limited is a well-established, profitable business specialising in the design and manufacture of high-quality electrical products for demanding sectors including Construction, Military, Nuclear, Docks & Harbours, Rail and Events.
Our range includes heavy-duty distribution equipment, transformers, protection equipment and 110V lighting, with most products designed in-house and manufactured in the UK at our Harlow and Crayford facilities.
With turnover approaching £20 million, a strong financial position and an established reputation for quality, technical expertise and customer service, the business is well positioned for its next phase of growth.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven Commercial Director to join the senior team and take overall responsibility for the company's commercial strategy and performance. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will work closely with the Finance, Operations and Technical teams to strengthen existing markets, develop new opportunities and drive profitable growth.
- Key areas of responsibility include:
- Sales and revenue growth
- Business development and market expansion
- Marketing and market positioning
- Pricing, margins and commercial performance
- Customer relationships and satisfaction
- Commercial strategy and forecasting
- Product and market development
- Tendering and major project opportunities
The role will focus on increasing market penetration of the company's established specialist product range while developing new customers, applications and markets. You will also maintain a strong pipeline of high-value projects, working with the Technical team where bespoke solutions are required.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring direct involvement with key customers, opportunities and commercial activity.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy & Growth
- Develop and implement the company's commercial strategy and growth plans.
- Set clear sales targets and commercial objectives.
- Identify new markets, customers, sectors and applications.
- Monitor market trends, competitors and emerging opportunities.
- Provide commercial insight to support senior-level decision-making.
Sales & Business Development
- Take overall responsibility for sales performance and pipeline development.
- Build strong relationships with key customers, distributors, contractors, consultants and strategic partners, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Lead major customer relationships and commercial opportunities.
- Develop proactive approaches to new business and customer acquisition.
- Establish effective sales processes, reporting and performance measures.
Pricing & Commercial Management
- Own pricing strategy, ensuring it reflects market conditions, customer value and commercial objectives.
- Manage pricing structures, margins and sales mix.
- Review major quotations, tenders and contracts.
- Identify and manage commercial risks.
- Monitor profitability and overall commercial performance.
Marketing & Market Development
- Lead a focused marketing strategy aligned with commercial objectives.
- Strengthen the company's position within its specialist markets.
- Increase awareness of its products and technical capabilities.
- Ensure the market proposition clearly communicates UK manufacturing, engineering capability, quality, reliability and technical expertise.
Product Development
- Use customer and market insight to identify new product and application opportunities.
- Work with wider business on product development and bespoke solutions.
- Assess the commercial viability of new products and opportunities.
Leadership & Management Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the commercial/sales function (comprising Customer Service, Sales, Technical Sales and Marketing personnel).
- Build a culture focused on accountability, customer value and profitable growth.
- Work collaboratively with and provide accurate commercial reporting to the Managing Director and wider senior team.
- Support the long-term development and scalability of the business.
Skills & Experience
Essential Requirements
- Proven senior-level commercial, sales or business development experience, ideally in industrial markets, technical manufacturing, engineering or electrical products.
- Track record of developing sales, markets and customer relationships for technically differentiated products.
- Strong understanding of pricing, margins, forecasting and profitability.
- Experience developing and implementing commercial strategy.
- Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship-management skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.
- Ability to understand technical information and complex customer requirements.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
- At least 5 years’ experience managing a sales/commercial team.
Desirable
- Experience in Construction, Rail, Military, Nuclear, Docks & Harbours or Events.
- Experience within an electrical/panel building manufacturing business.
- Degree educated in a business or engineering discipline.
- Experience developing products or entering new markets.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute and focused on profitable growth.
- Hands-on and comfortable engaging directly with customers.
- Strategic with the ability to turn opportunities into practical growth plans.
- Technically credible and confident with technical stakeholders.
- Numerate and analytical.
- Decisive and solutions-focused.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Collaborative and customer-focused.
Location & Travel
The role is based at Blakley Electrics' Head Office in Crayford and the successful candidate should live within a reasonable commuting distance. The position is predominantly office based, with regular UK customer and business travel and occasional overseas travel as required.