Commercial Manager (Precast Concrete)

Our client has been the dominant precast concrete company in Dubai for over 30 years. They service all of the most important main contractors and employ cutting-edge techniques and machinery.

They are looking for an outstanding individual from South Africa who has a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the construction industry and who is already a Snr QS or Commercial Manager. The person should have a university degree or similar.

The chosen person will be someone who is very commercially minded, very protective of the company's cash flow and financial health, and is very much a people's person. Above all he or she should be a strong negotiator and have excellent business savvy.

Basic AED 18,000 to 23,000 pm tax free
House allowance AED 7,000 to 8,000 pm
Transport AED 2,500 pm
Medical cover
1 return ticket/year to South Africa

The Commercial Manager will be overall responsible for all regional commercial and business development activities. With reference to the Country Manager, the Commercial Manager will ensure that the company is commercially on top of its projects and all contracts are delivered correctly and on time.

This is a new position so the anticipated responsibilities may evolve over time. Nonetheless, the overriding emphasis will be on working closely with clients and suppliers, and driving inter-departmental planning, coordination and delivery.

Anticipated responsibilities:

1. Ensure that all contracts are undertaken in a safe manner and in accordance with relevant UAE laws and government requirements.
2. Assist the Sales Department with contract negotiations/agreements.
3. Ensure that manageable programs and contracts are agreed with clients.
4. Ensure, through proper forecasting, that adequate resources are available for all current and future projects.
5. Ensure that procurement is done on fair and competitive terms.
6. Work with the Sales Department to ensure accurate and competitive cost calculations.
7. Establish goals and objectives for all commercial departments.
8. Responsible for all contractual matters on the projects once the Sales Department has finalized the contract, thus securing the company's contractual position, but with a main focus on progress and profitability.
9. Set up control systems to make sure actual/expected costs will not exceed allowable costs as per USM. Separate rapport to be made for major and/or complicated jobs.
10. Based on Upstart Meetings (USMs, order confirmations), compile an operations budget with targets so budget GPII is achieved or improved. Periodically follow up on the same.
11. Together with the Operations Manager, be responsible for monthly OPR reporting and ensuring that bottom line results are in line with budgets.
12. Ensure procedures are in place to identify and quantify variations and EOTs as early as possible and then finalize them as quickly as possible.
13. Ensure procedures are in place to keep proper records for each project.
14. Based on sales forecast and remaining value, make sure that adequate resources are available for all ongoing and incoming projects (increase or decrease as necessary).
15. Keep good relationships with the company's key suppliers and ensure that supply chains work smoothly with on-time deliveries and competitive prices.
16. Monitor local and international markets to find alternative suppliers and new products that can reduce costs.
17. Finalise variation orders and EOT requests (the aim is to avoid arbitration and court cases).
18. Ensure that post project analysis is done as per approved procedures.
19. Assist with collection of due payments.
20. Ensure that final settlements with clients are done by Project Managers/Engineers.
21. Coordinate with legal advisors in relation to arbitration and court cases where there are disputes.
22. Assist the Country Manager in preparing budgets and business plans and ensure that they are followed.
23. Provide the Country Manager with data and analyses to develop the company's business in the most sustainably profitable way.
24. Ensure high degrees of motivation among managers and employees by addressing team spirit, but also by applying forward thinking, problem identification and least costly preventive actions. Build a culture of cost awareness and optimization.
25. Ensure the highest possible synergy and cooperation between various departments.
26. Perform annual appraisals and development talks with managers and staff in the commercial departments. Set the guidelines for lower level appraisals and collect feedback.
27. Improve and develop staff and managers.
28. Establish training programs/modules so as to improve the company's efficiency, quality and performance.
29. Ensure that a robust quality policy/handbook is implemented and followed in operation.
30. Ensure the updating and maintenance of Best Practice Handbooks in each department.
31. Ensure that best practice know-how is collected, shared and implemented at group level.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND

1. Commercial or Civil engineer degree from recognized university.
2. 10+ years experience in the construction business.
3. Proven track record in a project environment.
4. Proven experience with FIDIC or similar forms of contracts.
5. Proven management experience as department head or similar.
6. Buy into the company's four core values: Entrepreneurial spirit, Winning, Teamwork and Integrity.

NOTE: This position is only available to South African nationals. No other nationalities will qualify.