Commercial Director (materials/metals)
Location: Chester | Salary: Competitive (discussable on screening calls)
Benefits: Bonus, Car allowance (£300 per month), 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, Private Medical Insurance & Company pension.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Commercial Director to join a leading materials manufacturer. Supplying customers across global markets, the business manufactures high-performance materials used in a range of critical industries including automotive, renewable energy, aerospace, defence and advanced engineering.
Role
- Take ownership of the commercial strategy and lead a team responsible for procurement, sales and commercial operations.
- Work closely with production, technical and finance teams to ensure security of supply, maximise commercial opportunities and deliver sustainable profitable growth.
- Develop and deliver the company’s commercial strategy to support business growth.
- Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing commercial team (team of 3-5 people).
- Establish commercial KPIs.
- Prepare board-level reports and present commercial performance and market insights.
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies for critical raw materials.
- Build and manage relationships with global suppliers.
- Negotiate long-term supply agreements to ensure security of supply and competitive pricing.
- Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends and geopolitical risks to support purchasing decisions.
- Work closely with technical and quality teams to qualify new material sources.
- Drive sales growth across advanced material product ranges.
- Develop new business opportunities across UK, European and international markets.
- Manage key customer relationships, pricing strategies and commercial negotiations.
- Produce accurate sales forecasts aligned with production capacity.
- Work closely with manufacturing, planning and finance teams to align supply and demand.
- Support commercial budgeting, forecasting and margin improvement initiatives.
- Contribute to strategic planning and operational decision making.
About You
- Significant senior commercial leadership experience within a metals manufacturer, industrial materials, specialty chemicals or a similar manufacturing environment.
- Happy to travel up to 50% of the role – based on site but travelling to Europe around 2-3 times a month, with occasional international travel.
- Proven experience managing both procurement and sales functions.
- Strong knowledge of raw material sourcing, supplier negotiations and commercial contracts/pricing.
- Experience developing commercial strategies that deliver sustainable business growth.
- Proven leadership/mentor experience.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with experience engaging senior stakeholders and board-level audiences.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Experience using CRM and ERP systems together with advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Familiarity with AI tools.
- Degree qualified, with an MBA or equivalent considered beneficial.
Legal & Data Privacy
We endeavour to process your personal data in a fair and transparent manner. In applying for this role, Russell Taylor will be acting within your interest and will contact you in relation to the role, either by email, phone or text message. For more information see our website. It is important you are aware of your individual rights and the provisions the company has put in place to protect your data. If you would like further information on the policy or GDPR please get in touch with us.
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