Commercial Business Partner

POSITION TITLE: COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PARTNEROur Client is seeking a dynamic and strategic Commercial Business Partner to join their leadership team. This pivotal role, acts as the commercial interface between site leadership, central commercial functions, and wider programme delivery teams.The successful candidate will:

- Lead a cross-functional team of procurement, commercial, contract management and QS professionals

- Align Client’s operational strategies with NRS’s commercial goals

- Champion integration of category strategies into site operations

- Influence strategic planning through expert commercial insights and risk analysis

- Collaborate with senior stakeholders across Client Site, Solo Sites, AGR & Paired Sites, and central functions

- Promote commercial excellence and capability development across the business

- Drive two-way alignment: embedding category strategies into site operations while ensuring site-level insights inform commercial and P3M priorities

- This role ensures commercial strategies are operationally grounded, deliver measurable value, and support NRS’s ten-year strategy.As the strategic interface between the Client Managing Director, site leadership, central commercial functions, and P3M (Portfolio, Programme, and Project Management), you will ensure seamless integration of the commercial operating model.You will lead a large cross-functional team and work closely with the Commercial Portfolio Manager to manage workload and efficiency. Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain Delivery, you’ll partner with the Client Managing Director and Programme Delivery Directors. Due to the nature of the role, a minimum of 75% of your time will be spent on-site.Key Responsibilities:Lead business partnering to align commercial initiatives with site goals

Act as liaison between Client leadership, category managers, and other Commercial Business Partners

Provide expert commercial advice using market trends and procurement best practices

Drive adoption of category strategies and ensure alignment with site performance

Influence strategic planning with commercial insights and risk analysis

Shape commercial strategies to reflect site realities and enhance execution

Oversee sourcing and contract management strategies for cost efficiency and compliance

Ensure commercial feasibility of site strategies and identify risks and opportunities

Embed category strategies into daily operations and performance frameworks

Address misalignment between operations and commercial strategies

Support change initiatives and stakeholder engagement

Prioritise commercial initiatives to optimise resource allocation

Promote best-in-class commercial processes and behaviours

Build commercial capability through mentoring and training

Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture

Manage commercial risks including supplier performance and market fluctuations

Perform the responsibilities of Authorisations relevant to post, including appointment to an Emergency Arrangements postAptitudes and Experience:National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 6 / SCQF level 9/10. e.g. Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent

Appropriate professional qualification

Training or Certificate in coaching, leadership development, or similar fields

Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience of working with, managing and influencing senior stakeholders

Experience of providing advice to senior stakeholders in complex operating environments

Experience of driving cross-functional collaboration across commercial, sites, operations, finance and legal functions to deliver integrated commercial outcomes

Proven ability to support the development and execution of commercial strategies to deliver cost savings, value creation and supplier innovation in complex supply chains

Strong commercial acumen, with an understanding of cost modelling, total cost of ownership and supplier risk analysis

Knowledge of supplier relationship management (SRM) practices and experience in managing high value, strategic supplier relationships to improve performance and drive continuous improvement

Experience of leading and managing a team

Experience of working and implementing change in a regulated environment with a clear understanding of assurance and governance expectations

Ability to lead through ambiguity and change, maintaining focus on business priorities and stakeholder engagement during periods of transformation

Strong knowledge and application of procurement principles and public contracting regulations

Strong negotiation skills

Good understanding of NEC and defined cost audits

Experience in risk management and mitigation including commercial, legal and operational risks across large programmes or projects

Experience of working on major infrastructure projects and an understanding of the specific challenges of cost control, risk transfer and contractor accountability in delivery

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion

As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.