Commercial Manager

SUMMARY:
Purpose of the job:
Automotive steel manufacturer is seeking an experienced and results-driven Commercial Manager to lead our commercial strategy, drive business growth, and strengthen customer and supplier partnerships.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially astute professional with a strong background in the automotive manufacturing industry to play a key role in shaping the future growth and profitability of our business.

POSITION INFO:
Experiential and Educational requirements: Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering or a related field. Experience 5-7 years' experience in a Commercial Management or similar leadership role. Proven experience within the Automotive Manufacturing industry. Experience working with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is essential Essential duties and responsibilities: Commercial Strategy & Business Development Develop and implement commercial strategies aligned to business objectives. Identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive revenue and profitability. Conduct market research and commercial due diligence to evaluate new projects and investments. Prepare business cases, executive summaries, and financial models to support strategic decision-making. Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic growth initiatives. Contract Management & Negotiation Lead commercial negotiations with customers and suppliers. Manage the full commercial lifecycle from quotation to contract execution. Review and improve existing commercial agreements to maximise business value. Financial Management Oversee budgets, pricing strategies and profitability. Develop product costings and prepare competitive customer quotations. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial performance. Prepare financial forecasts and investment analyses, including ROI, IRR and DCF evaluations. Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers and key stakeholders. Work collaboratively across Finance, Procurement, Operations and other business functions. Support the successful implementation of commercial projects and strategic initiatives. Leadership Lead, coach and develop the commercial team. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements and safety standards. Risk & Compliance Identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risks. Ensure compliance with BBBEE and other relevant regulatory requirements. Manage supplier risk and support internal and external audit processes. Technical Skills & Knowledge Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing, supply chain and logistics. Commercial, financial and business acumen. Financial analysis, budgeting and P&L management. Product costing and pricing experience. Contract drafting and negotiation expertise. Project management experience. ERP systems knowledge (SAP advantageous). Advanced Microsoft Excel and MS Office proficiency. Knowledge of BBBEE and commercial regulatory requirements. Personal Attributes A strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset. A skilled negotiator and relationship builder. Commercially driven and customer focused. A confident communicator who can influence at executive level. Resilient, adaptable and solutions orientated. An effective leader with excellent people management skills. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional manufacturing environment