What is the Job of a Commercial Development Manager

This article is meant to answer the question “What is the job of a commercial development manager”. A commercial development manager is employed by a company to oversee the company’s expansion into new product lines, and additional services, and to find new consumers.

Duties of a Commercial Development Manager

It is the job of a commercial development manager to plan and implement a strategy for company growth. Once the commercial development plan is in place, it is also the job of the development manager to test its success and present the findings to company management.

Many different types need a commercial development manager. The manager’s role is to find new business and earn additional profits. This can often be accomplished by revamping current business practices and expanding existing services. Someone in this position analyzes the company’s field to find innovative ways to change and grow the business. These jobs are typically found in successful and profitable companies as well as struggling companies looking to reinvent themselves and their products.

Finding new customers is often the number one priority of a commercial development manager. Managers may seek to increase the overall number of customers, or they may wish to target a new demographic or additional type of client. Different strategies can be implemented by the development manager to expand a company’s client base including new marketing attempts and implementing promotional changes.

Other Responsibilities of a Commercial Development Planner

Another way commercial development managers expand a business is to develop new product lines. A company can expand its products by putting forth goods and services that complement its existing line of offerings. To find new services and products that will work within a company’s existing framework a development manager will analyze the company’s field and determine the best course of action.

After the development manager’s plan to increase the customer base and present new products and services is in place, it can also be part of the commercial development manager’s job description to test the success of the strategy. Testing is accomplished through data collection, customer sampling, and profit comparison. Once results are collected, the development manager will write up a report and prepare a presentation to show company management the success or failure of a plan.

What Is Commercial Development Management?

Every business needs to focus on growing the organization and expanding its market reach. Typically, a company has an individual or department dedicated to this task. The individual leading this team is the commercial development manager, who looks for innovative ways to grow the business and enter new market areas.

When looking to expand market reach, the manager looks to three different strategies to help grow the business, namely new services, customers, and product lines.

While these categories seem straightforward, actually implementing them is a larger challenge. The job of commercial development managers is to look at the current portfolio of products or services the company offers. They explore how the company can implement more services or sell more products without overly expensive business plans, provide new services or products at the same caliber as the rest of the company’s offerings, and ensure there is a demand among consumers. The last of these three is the most important to the overall success of the venture.

During the process of building out a company’s services, new customers need to be found. A business needs to continue to grow to maintain profitability and stability should markets change. Building the customer base is another way the commercial development manager adds to corporate value.

Finally, a business needs to innovate. Successful innovation means creating a product that also has existing demand. This step is where commercial business development comes into play. A good manager identifies product ideas that have strong market potential to help a business grow.

Recommended:

Differences Between a Commercial Manager and a Business Development Manager

On the surface, the job titles and duties of a commercial development manager and a business development manager seem similar. Both of these managerial positions take on the responsibility of marketing and branding, serving as the face of the company to customers. This crossover in roles can make distinguishing their functions in a business less clear. However, understanding where the differences lie helps a company create clear organizational structures.

A commercial business manager takes on developing and implementing the strategy for expansion. By using new services, customers, and product lines, these managers create a growth strategy and establish the direction of the company. Their job is to look at how to build the company’s future and direction.

While a commercial development manager looks to the future, a business development manager’s role is slightly different, taking on another aspect of both marketing and strategy. These managers are responsible for the strategic relationships of the corporation by helping companies build their relationships with current clients and create new ones. A business development manager creates business through the present relationships and uses those relationships to expand the company’s reach.

Commercial Business Development Manager Salary

To simplify or streamline a business, the roles of a commercial development manager and a business development manager can be combined. Start by creating a competitive compensation package to attract the best candidates. The typical salary range for a business development manager can range from $80,000 up to $150,000 a year. However, these numbers are not inclusive of the compensation packages that are usually provided.

A business may offer performance bonuses or equity in the firm. These additional benefits can add to the base salary range, giving this role a high earning potential.

The title of commercial business development manager is a profitable position and vital to a company’s success. Whether a company chooses to create a singular role or a separate one, having a person who works to develop and grow the customer base while looking to the future helps a company stay on track to success.

Working hours

You’ll usually work a regular 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday week, though you may on occasion have to work longer to meet a project deadline or when attending an event or conference.

Flexible working and working from home may be possible.

Commercial Development Manager Skills and Qualifications

Sales managers typically possess some prerequisite skills or certifications, including:

Communication

Sales managers typically spend most of their workday communicating with others. Communication with project managers, suppliers, contractors, and business executives is critical to project implementation.

Project Management

The Sales Manager is responsible for moving the project from initially proposed al to completion. Strong organizational and project management skills are important when managing multiple projects.

Leadership

Leadership skills help the Sales Manager develop relationships, manage contractors, and generate bids for new projects. Managers need good leadership skills to sell the services of the organization they work for.

Problem-Solving

Because problems are not uncommon, sales managers will also need strong problem-solving skills to identify the problem and take the necessary steps to resolve it, given financial and supplier constraints.

Requirements for a Commercial Development Manager

Proven work experience as a Business Development Manager, Sales Manager, or in a related role

Proven sales experience

Customer support experience is an advantage

Proficient in MS Office and CRM software (eg Salesforce)

Good in English

Market knowledge

Communication and negotiation skills

The ability to build relationships

Time management and planning skills

BA/BA in Business Administration, Sales, or a related field

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Commercial development manager do?

Commercial development managers are responsible for helping organizations achieve better brand recognition and financial growth. They collaborate with company executives and sales and marketing professionals to review current market trends to come up with new business ideas that can improve margins.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Commercial development manager?

The commercial development manager is often the first point of contact a potential new client will engage with your business when looking for information about what you have to offer. They answer tenders and suppliers and increase sales in areas that have never purchased the company’s product line before.

What makes a good commercial development manager?

The effective commercial Development Manager is skilled in building long-term and successful relationships with key clients. They will also need precise means of communication so that they can tailor solutions to various needs on behalf of their clients.

Who do commercial development managers work with?

Commercial development managers often work closely with other sales representatives to identify and close new businesses or expand existing business opportunities. They also work directly with clients to help close deals when needed, so they must have good customer service skills and a solid understanding of the company’s products and services.

Conclusion

The duties of a commercial development manager have been introduced to you through this article. Once you have the necessary skills and qualifications, you can easily get a job as a business development manager.