Pre-Construction Manager

Responsible for: Solution Design, Commercials, Pipeline Velocity & GP Protection

Location: Northampton

This role is a design, costing, commercial co‑ordination and GP management role. This role is suited to a candidate who enjoys a busy yet rewarding position as a key part of a project sales and project delivery team.

You will be responsible for supporting the sales team with costings, quotations, project layout drawings and commercial terms/direction for work in the industrial fit‑out sector.

Our client specialises in understanding prospective clients’ business requirements and developing fully turnkey solutions that support their operational needs. Experience in commercial building fit‑out, particularly knowledge of internal construction works such as partitioning, joinery, plumbing, electrical, data and fire alarms is preferred. An understanding of CDM regulations and Health & Safety management is also important.

You will be required to demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities within a busy sales environment, supporting the team as required and ensuring that project designs and costings are delivered on time.

A key measure of success in this role is enabling the sales team to focus their time on prospecting, lead generation and core sales activities.

• Liaise with key material suppliers to bring together costings for the areas outlined above.
• Liaise with subcontractor labour teams to arrange costings for installation works.
• Combine both supplier and labour inputs into a clearly structured costing matrix on a job‑by‑job basis and show suggested selling prices/margins based on market knowledge and insights from the sales team, supply chain and clients. Competent use of Excel will be required.
• Either liaise with the CAD design team or prepare project layouts using CAD yourself based on information supplied by the sales team following surveys.
• Draft full project proposals in Word for review by the Brand Director and sales representative.
• Suggest initial gross profit margins on a job‑by‑job basis and work with the Brand Director and sales representative to agree final pricing.
• From time to time, carry out site surveys for the sales team and provide draft layouts for discussion and design input.
• Provide clear commercial direction on project terms, including payment terms, contract terms and any associated legal considerations that protect our client from client payment default or legal claims.
• Provide commercial risk analysis for all new clients based on credit ratings, references and reviews with the Head of Finance.
• Manage supply chain relationships regularly to provide objective feedback and agree the details of ongoing commercial relationships.
• Once projects are secured, present a clear report on supply chain, costings, lead times, delivery considerations and layouts to the project management team to facilitate efficient and profitable project delivery. From this point the project will be delivered by the Project Manager/s.
• Work with Project Managers to support procurement where necessary.
• Meet face‑to‑face with customers and suppliers as required.
• Attend internal team meetings in Northampton or at Head Office (Leeds) to present information on project profitability and customer satisfaction.

Performance against targets for:

• Quotes submitted on time
• Project costings delivered accurately and realistically
• Commercial terms agreed that are favourable to the business
• Sales team time protected from costing and design activities
• Brand sales targets achieved quarterly and annually

• Excellent PC skills – Word, Internet, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, database management, desktop publishing and CRM systems
• Experience in the storage project sector would be highly beneficial
• Ability to produce CAD drawings accurately and on time would be advantageous but is not essential
• Ability to read and understand commercial documentation, highlighting key areas of risk and ensuring favourable contract terms

• Self‑disciplined individual who takes full personal responsibility for their own performance
• Ability to structure workload effectively and deliver results while managing competing priorities
• Positive outlook, particularly when under pressure
• Strong communicator able to engage with people at all levels and communicate clearly across departments
• Committed team player
• Willingness to work flexibly as required
• Professional, friendly and approachable demeanour
• The successful candidate will work alongside sales, marketing, project management and design colleagues within a culture that values accountability and high performance.
• Travel may occasionally be required outside standard working hours.

• Holiday entitlement is 22 days per annum plus bank holidays, with an additional day to be taken on the employee’s birthday.