Cost Clerk​/Commercial Administrator

Overview

Job Description
Role:
Cost Clerk / Cost Administrator Salary: 30,000 - 34,000 (DOE & travel flexibility)

Location:

Manchester, Preston, Derby or Nottingham Working Pattern:
Hybrid - office & home working Sector:
Rail & Civil Engineering (Tier 1 Contractor)

Our client is a Tier 1 contractor to Network Rail , delivering a wide range of rail and civil engineering works across the UK. The business provides multi-disciplinary services including civil engineering, infrastructure maintenance and reactive works, operating across multiple live frameworks.

The company has grown significantly over recent years while maintaining excellent staff retention and a strong culture of long-term development. Many employees have been with the business for over a decade, reflecting stability, career progression and a supportive working environment.

The Cost Clerk / Cost Administrator will support the commercial and finance functions by owning the administration and processing of supplier and subcontractor invoices .

This is a highly structured, detail-focused role where accuracy and organisation are key. The successful candidate will act as the central point of contact for cost and invoice queries , ensuring all supplier invoices are correctly aligned to purchase orders, cost codes and certification dates within the cost management system.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with processes, data and spreadsheets, and who takes pride in keeping systems accurate and up to date.

• Manage a central shared inbox receiving invoices from subcontractors and ad-hoc suppliers
• Accurately log, check and process invoices within the cost management system
• Ensure invoices are correctly matched to purchase orders (POs) and cost codes
• Validate invoices against certification dates and contractual requirements
• Place invoices on hold where required and resolve discrepancies
• Act as the first point of contact for supplier, commercial and internal cost queries
• Liaise with project teams, commercial staff and finance to resolve invoice issues
• Maintain clear audit trails and supporting documentation
• Support month-end processes and reporting where required
• Ensure all cost administration processes are followed consistently and accurately

Essential:

• Previous experience in a Cost Clerk, Cost Administrator, Accounts Assistant or similar administrative role
• Experience processing invoices and supporting payment processes
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with spreadsheets and data
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Confident managing a busy shared inbox and prioritising workloads

Desirable:

• Experience with in construction, civil engineering or rail environments
• Familiarity with cost management or finance systems
• Willingness to travel between regional offices when required

Role can be based from Manchester, Preston, Derby or Nottingham

Hybrid working available

Lower salary band applies to candidates based primarily in one office (Manchester or Preston) OR (Derby or Nottingham) with 3 days in the office / 2 days from home

Upper salary band applies to candidates willing to travel between regional offices (Manchester, Preston, Derby and Nottingham) during working hours

Standard hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm