We are looking to attract a Commercial Manager for a very busy distribution company in the Bedford area. The ideal candidate will come from an distribution / engineering background. Main Responsibility • Monitor the key components of the ROI on a monthly basis using the SOP and identify areas for improvement • Regularly review all local costs against previous years and understand why specific costs have increased or decreased • Be able to clearly explain the aged stock reserve formula and ensure commercially sound reasoning is behind any slow-moving stock • Actively manage all local non-material purchases and employee expenses, countersigning all associated purchase orders and forms • Be able to use your understanding of the financial aspects of the depot to implement change where required • Measure all areas of the depots activities and implement strategies to urgently return underperforming areas to required levels of performance. You will actively manage all company stock, assets and property • Implement set procedures for all aspects of stock control and management • Ensure all fixed assets and capital items are correctly recorded and their costs, usage and remaining useful life are monitored and understood • Create a programme of replacement and/or addition of all local capital equipment • Be able to properly complete a capital request form with supporting documentation • Ensure buildings, offices and grounds are maintained in accordance with property leases and good working practices • Ensure all processing equipment is properly maintained and is fit for purpose • Ensure all company property is maintained and kept secure in line with insurance policy requirements • Ensure whole site is kept secure outside of working hours liaising with security equipment providers, alarm companies and local police. You will actively manage sales orders, purchase orders and debtors • Review outstanding sales orders, purchase orders and payments on a daily basis • Take corrective and preventive action when a sales order becomes overdue • Ensure customers remain within their credit terms requesting changes to those terms before they are exceeded • Understand the key indicators of credit risk and be able to form sound commercial judgements from third party credit risk reports • Understand how credit insurance works and the procedures for seeking individual cover • Understand retention of title and know what to do in the event of a customer failing to pay or entering administration. You will continually develop the customer base to provide long term growth • Have a sound knowledge of the local territory and the types of industry within it • Have a structured pipeline system, with measurement and agreed targets at each stage, for developing prospects and customers to their fullest ROI potential • Ensure proactive customer contacts are of a high standard and that contacts are adequately recorded on the company CRM system • Maintain an up-to-date list of target customers and prospects that will provide future ROI growth • Work to an agreed sales plan with measurement and targets for ongoing levels of proactive customer contact • Understand the role of central support staff in business development and involve them in specific projects where appropriate • Take a detailed interest in all key customers and targets, monitoring activity and shaping strategy • Have agreed targets for increasing the number of active customers and regularly measure achievements against these targets • Monitor and act quickly if trading with desirable customers declines. You will fully understand the ‘value proposition’ offered to customers • Have a complete understanding of ‘What We Offer’ - Products, Processes, Add-On Services, Stock Management Services, Customer Portal • Be able to explain the Differential Selling Advantages of the business and contrast them with what local competitors are able to offer • Fully understand the concepts of Bespoke Supply Solutions and be able to explain how they create value for customers • Ensure all staff that have any contact with customers are aware of the expected standards of politeness, assistance and efficiency. You will lead, develop and motivate a competent local team • Actively manage the local staffing structure to achieve the required levels of performance in all areas in the most cost-effective manner • Recruit staff as per the company policy to support growth • Inspire high performance in the whole local team through strong, consistent, leadership Job Types: Full-time, Permanent