Commercial Manager | Mon to Fri 38 hours | Balcatta Support Centre

Company Description

Sodexo is a people business, employing over 400,000 people worldwide and thousands in Australia. Our hospitality all-rounders play a key role in keeping our sites functioning and well-maintained for village residents' safety, comfort, and well-being. Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact.

Job Description

The Commercial Manager - Energy & Resources West serves as a trusted partner to operational leaders, providing financial insight and leading commercial performance across the Energy & Resources West portfolio. The position leads the E&R West commercial team and is accountable for driving sustainable profitability through effective governance, financial planning, working capital management, contractual compliance and continuous business improvement.

Supported by the finance leadership team, the Commercial Manager provides direction, coaching and support to strengthen commercial capability and promote a consistent, data-driven approach to decision-making. The position oversees the delivery of financial analysis, reporting and performance insights that support operational excellence, revenue capture, cash generation and margin enhancement.

Through strong partnerships with clients, operational teams and key stakeholders, the Commercial Manager identifies growth opportunities, mitigates commercial and contractual risks, and delivers initiatives that improve financial performance, customer value and long-term business outcomes. The role plays a critical part in fostering commercial accountability, ensuring compliance with Sodexo policies, governance requirements and contractual obligations while supporting the achievement of strategic and operational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial governance of client contracts, including review of proposals, contract negotiations, extensions, scope changes, dispute resolution and mobilisation activities, in partnership with Operations and other support functions.
• Provide commercial leadership and decision support across the portfolio through financial analysis, performance reviews, commercial recommendations and stakeholder engagement to drive improved business outcomes.
• Support the implementation of Finance strategy by establishing performance measures, monitoring progress against business objectives, and providing commercial insights to identify, manage and mitigate risks.
• Lead the annual budgeting, rolling forecasting and business planning processes across the portfolio, partnering with operational leaders to validate assumptions, challenge performance drivers, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate forecast outcomes with clarity and transparency.
• Ensure the delivery of accurate and timely financial reporting, analysis and performance insights to operational leaders, senior management and regional executives in accordance with Group requirements.
• Drive working capital performance across the portfolio through effective revenue capture, timely billing, cash flow management and process improvement initiatives.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify underperforming contracts and oversee the development, implementation and tracking of Profit Improvement Plans.
• Support the development of client retention proposals, contract extensions and organic growth opportunities that deliver sustainable value for Sodexo and its clients.
• Establish and maintain effective commercial relationships with clients, supporting contract performance, client retention and the identification of growth opportunities.
• Work closely with the Business Development team on new opportunities to support the development and review of commercial pricing models and tender proposals.
• Develop and present business cases, commercial proposals and recommendations to Senior Leadership Team, ensuring sound commercial rationale and alignment with business objectives.
• Partner with operational and support functions including HR, Legal, Supply Management, FM & Food Platform, Retail and HSE to assess commercial impacts, support decision-making and achieve business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, legislative, statutory and internal governance requirements, including Delegation of Authority and Right Clients Right Terms (RCRT), while identifying and managing commercial and financial risks across the portfolio.
• Lead, coach and develop the Commercial Finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Promote continuous improvement, standardisation and best practice across commercial processes, systems and reporting.
• Build commercial capability across operational leadership teams through coaching, guidance and mentoring, ensuring consistent commercial discipline and decision-making across the portfolio.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Contract interpretation, commercial governance and risk management expertise.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability, with a data-driven approach to identifying opportunities and improving outcomes.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation and active listening skills, with the confidence to constructively challenge and influence outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across operational, corporate and client environments.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results to deadlines.
• High levels of accountability, resilience and integrity, maintaining composure and sound judgement in challenging circumstances.
• Collaborative leader with the ability to work independently, develop high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and ethical business practices.

Qualifications

• Business, Accounting or Finance Bachelors Degree / Master's degree

Certification

• CPA or CA qualification is desirable

Experience

• 7-10+ years' experience in commercial finance, contract management or finance business partnering roles.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and business case development.

• Experience leading business improvement initiatives and driving financial performance outcomes.
• Experience managing and developing commercial or analytical teams.
• Experience within Energy & Resources, Mining, Remote Sites or Facilities Management environments preferred.
• Experience in client engagement, contract negotiation and commercial risk management.

Additional Information

• Competitive pay and job security in an essential services industry
• Access to 100+ retail discounts and multiple salary packaging options
• Great teamwork and a solid group of people around you!
• Opportunities for training and career progression within Sodexo