Commercial Manager - Contracting & Networks
Ashburton
- Drive financial performance and profitability across two complex portfolios
- Turn technical strength into commercial excellence
- Influence network growth and investment decisions at scale
- Ashburton based + highly competitive salary + relocation support
About the Company:
EA Networks is a community‑owned electricity distribution business and fibre optic communications network supporting Mid Canterbury with essential infrastructure and services. Alongside its regulated network, EA Networks operates a substantial contracting business, delivering construction, maintenance and connection services across the electricity and fibre sector.
The talented team at EA Networks are passionate about their business and their region and are committed to building a sustainable energy future that works for everyone. From everyday essentials to cutting-edge technology, they make sure the community has the safe, accessible, and affordable power.
About The Role:
This is a rare ‘hands-on’ commercial leadership role ideal for a commercially sharp operator who enjoys being close to the work, influencing outcomes, and building capability in a community-owned organisation with real scale and complexity.
Reporting to both the GM Contracting and GM Networks, this senior role is responsible for the commercial and financial performance of the contracting and networks business providing leadership across tendering, pricing, contract risk, forecasting, reporting and cashflow, while acting as the commercial link across two complex portfolios.
A key focus will be strengthening commercial discipline in operational teams, improving cost management and overall performance and supporting future growth and network investment.
The role oversees a team of three.
Skills & Experience:
You will be a commercially astute leader with significant experience in contracting, infrastructure or regulated environments, and a preference for taking a practical, hands‑on approach.
You will bring:
- A relevant business or commerce degree
- Sound financial leadership across project-based operations
- Strong tendering, pricing and contract management capability with a track record of improving bid quality and long‑term contract performance
- An ability to influence and lift commercial capability in technical teams
- Experience working in a dual‑reporting or matrix environment
- Proven people leadership and an ability to create high performing teams
- A continuous improvement mindset used to challenging existing operating models, systems and behaviours
- Recognition as a trusted influencer and an ability to engage and influence across all levels
- Alignment with a community‑owned, values-based, safety‑focused organisation.