Commercial & Procurement Recruitment
Commercial and finance roles demand a level of precision that other disciplines do not. An error in procurement, a gap in compliance knowledge or a misaligned commercial analyst can have measurable financial consequences within weeks. RFT recruits across the full commercial function: purchasing and procurement, commercial finance, contract management, compliance and legal support. We work with manufacturers, professional services firms, infrastructure businesses and public sector organisations across Manchester and the wider North West.
About This Sector
Commercial Recruitment Built on Technical Understanding
What sets RFT apart in this space is that we understand the technical requirements. We do not rely on keyword matching. A procurement specialist in a construction supply chain requires different depth than one operating within a pharmaceutical environment, and we know how to assess the difference.
Our consultants take the time to understand what the role demands in practice - including the category exposure, system knowledge and stakeholder landscape - before we begin sourcing. That preparation means the candidates you see are genuinely relevant, not broadly similar. It also means we can have an informed conversation about your market position, salary expectations and the realistic candidate pool before you have invested time in a lengthy briefing process.
Roles We Place
Commercial Roles We Recruit
From purchasing assistants to commercial directors, we recruit across the full procurement and commercial function.
Procurement Manager
Category strategy, supplier selection and contract negotiation across defined spend areas. Candidates with CIPS accreditation and demonstrable savings track records are in consistent demand.
Buyer
Day-to-day purchasing across a defined category or supplier base. Experience within a specific commodity or industry vertical (e.g. engineering, FMCG, construction) carries significant weight with clients.
Commercial Manager
P&L accountability, contract management and commercial performance across business units or projects. Common in construction, infrastructure and professional services environments.
Contracts Manager
Drafting, negotiating and administering commercial contracts. Often works alongside legal counsel and procurement teams to manage risk and performance obligations across the supply chain.
Commercial Analyst
Financial modelling, pricing analysis and commercial reporting. Strong Excel, SQL and data visualisation skills are increasingly standard at this level across all sectors.
Supply Chain Manager
End-to-end supply chain oversight including demand planning, logistics coordination and supplier relationship management. ERP experience is usually a prerequisite for these roles.
Compliance Officer
Regulatory adherence, policy implementation and internal audit support. Sector-specific knowledge (financial services, construction, pharmaceutical) is often the deciding factor in appointment.
Category Manager
Strategic ownership of a defined spend category, typically within large enterprise or public sector environments. CIPS qualification and evidence of stakeholder management at senior level expected.
Bid Manager / Estimator
Tender preparation, commercial modelling and bid submission coordination. Common in construction, facilities management and IT services businesses bidding on public and private contracts.
Legal Secretary / Paralegal
Document management, matter administration and client liaison within legal and professional services environments. Accuracy, discretion and sector familiarity are essential.
Purchasing Assistant
Junior purchasing support: raising purchase orders, managing supplier queries and maintaining procurement records. A strong entry-level point for graduates entering the commercial function.
Strategic Sourcing Manager
High-level sourcing strategy across global or multi-region supply chains. Candidates typically have extensive negotiation experience and a track record of commercial value delivery at enterprise level.
For Employers
Why Employers Choose RFT
Technical understanding, access to passive candidates and full compliance knowledge from day one.
Technical Understanding Before We Source
We do not search by job title alone. Our briefing process establishes the specific category exposure, system requirements and commercial accountability of each role before we begin. You receive candidates who understand the function, not just the job description.
Access to Passive Candidates
Many experienced procurement and commercial professionals are not actively looking. RFT's direct approach and sector network allows us to reach talent that does not respond to job boards. Most of the senior hires we make come from our direct outreach rather than inbound applications.
Compliance Knowledge
We understand IR35, right to work legislation and sector-specific qualification requirements. You do not need to brief us on the basics - we factor all of this into how we source, screen and present candidates to you.
For Candidates
Why Candidates Work With RFT
Category-matched introductions, clear salary benchmarking and a professionally managed process.
Roles Matched to Your Category Expertise
We do not send generic opportunities. If you have built your career in indirect procurement within financial services, we look for that match rather than forwarding you to roles in an unrelated sector where your experience will not translate.
Clear Salary Benchmarking
We provide honest market data on what your skill set is worth in Manchester right now. That context matters when you are assessing whether a move makes financial sense and what to ask for in a negotiation.
Discreet and Professionally Managed
Commercial roles often carry confidentiality requirements that mirror what you deal with in your day job. We manage your search with the same discretion you would expect from any professional adviser in this space.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from employers and candidates in the commercial and procurement sector.
Need a Commercial or Procurement Specialist?
Tell us about your vacancy or your experience and a consultant with commercial recruitment expertise will come back to you the same day.