Commercial Officer

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

The Commercial Officer is responsible for the day to day commercial and contracts management activities on specific multi-million pound contracts supporting NGUK’s Defence & National Security customers, as well as supporting the wider Commercial team on other existing contracts and proposals for programmes spanning multiple sectors, including those within Maritime, Aerospace and Cyber.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial point of contact for existing key multi-million pound contracts predominantly supporting NG’s Defence & National Security customers, including influencing key stakeholders on various Commercial topics
• Understand the impact of changes to existing contractual terms and conditions and lead programme teams in ensuring such change is accounted for in priced proposals

• Refine and agree confidentiality and collaboration/teaming agreements
• Review tenders and RFQs to identify key commercial aspects and evaluation criteria
• Prepare and negotiate on contracts terms, licence terms, scope and pricing,  recognising the risk trade-off, working closely with the relevant Programme Manager, Business Development Manager, Finance Team and Supply Chain Lead and working within approvals
• Support the wider Commercial team with higher value, complexity and strategically significant proposals and negotiations
• Develop the business’ negotiation strategy
• Review Statements of Work and tender responses
• Support the ongoing development of the commercial risk review and support approvals process through the bid and programme lifecycle
• Engage with and support the legal review of contract terms and conditions
• Responsible for issuing Requests for Proposal/Quotation and assessing commercial proposals from suppliers and sub-contractors
• Monitor Contracts and Sub-contracts, Service agreements and licences to ensure that all parties adhere to the conditions
• Liaise with trade controls/export management personnel to develop and maintain the necessary export/import licences for products and services
• Be a pro-active member of the wider Northrop Grumman Contracts and Pricing function
• Advise and guide Project Managers on commercial and contractual matters
• Provide inputs as necessary for internal reports
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with corporate governance & policy on contracts and associated areas

General Operational duties

• Attend Business Management department meetings as required
• Remain compliant with all applicable Business Management and Command Media Processes and procedures
• Understand and conform to Northrop Grumman's ethical policies, Standards of Business Conduct and quality management policies and procedures
• Support the Contracts Manager and Head of Contracts in developing and growing a professional and engaged team

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications/Experience

• Degree in Law, Business or Economics or experience of contracts management in a Defence/business/IT/engineering environment
• Demonstrable experience of proposal work and review on medium to large scale captures
• Track record of building strong customer relationships
• Demonstrable success in creating and executing negotiating strategies and supporting business decision making desired
• Experience of process development

Competency/Skill requirements

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communicator, able to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders and customers at all levels whilst planning, executing and co-ordinating bid work, negotiations and active contract management
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Proficient IT skills – office automation and project tools
• Sound understanding of contract law and standard terms
• Working knowledge of contracts, terms and conditions used by UK MOD/UK government
• Good awareness of UK/US export regulations
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong Customer Relationship Management skills
• Flexible and adaptable, with an engaging ‘can do’ attitude
• A proactive team-worker, able to also work independently
• Excellent organisational skills
• Adept at dealing effectively with competing priorities and deadlines, and able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Competent in PowerPoint and face-to-face presentation delivery

Other requirements

• Travel requirements: UK travel required to attend team/customer meetings and training activities. Occasional international travel may be required. Valid UK driving licence and passport.
• Clearance requirements: The post-holder must hold and maintain UK Government clearances
• Looking for flexibility? At Northrop Grumman UK we have hybrid working arrangements. Talk to us at the application stage about what may be possible.

Northrop Grumman is committed to equality and diversity in our workplace. Northrop Grumman provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual's protected status, including race/ethnic origin, color, nationality, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, gender identity/expression, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, religion or belief, creed, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status or characteristic.