Job Description

A leading hi-tech manufacturing company is seeking a Commercial and Legal Manager to provide strategic guidance and support across all commercial matters up to board level. This role will work cross-functionally with Research & Development, Sales & Marketing, Procurement, and the Senior Management Team to safeguard the company's commercial and legal interests.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Agreements:

• Evaluate, draft, negotiate, and implement a range of commercial and legal documents, including:

• International and national multi-party agreements
• R&D collaboration and consortium agreements
• Standard terms & conditions, sales contracts, frame agreements
• Representative, distributor, consultancy, confidentiality agreements
• External funding agreements (EU & Innovate UK)
• Complex quotations, tenders, licence agreements, settlements, assignment agreements
• Ancillary commercial documents (performance guarantees, bank guarantees)
• Supply agreements and software licences

Engage specialist legal advice as needed and manage external legal advisors.
Intellectual Property (IP) Management:

• Oversee patents and trademarks (applications, renewals, maintenance)
• Manage IP assignments, trade secrets, and confidentiality issues
• Handle counterfeiting and infringement cases

Engage and manage external IP advisors
Commercial Procedures & Policies:
Contribute to formulation and implementation of commercial procedures and company policies
Finance, Legal & Commercial Support:

• Maintain contracts database
• Play a key role in major transactions (e.g., sale/leaseback, sale of businesses, due diligence)
• Support litigation and dispute resolution processes

Manage product liability claims
Candidate Profile - Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a similar commercial/legal role within hi-tech production or manufacturing
• Strong experience in contract management and negotiation
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to contractual detail
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Epicor)

Degree-level business or legal qualification
Key Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to analyse and assess contractual risks
• Skilled in drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial documents
• Ability to execute agreements and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines

Skills Required