NAME: Matthew Wright COMPANY/REGION: McCarthy and Stone South West Region JOB TITLE: Commercial Manager DEPARTMENT: Construction PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES? The Commercial Department is provides for the timely cost efficient procurement of resources required in supporting the build process. PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS? The Commercial Manager has overall responsibility for complying with Company Policies and the efficient and cost effective management of the regional Commercial Department to ensure that the company's required margins are achieved. This involves managing the Surveying, Estimating and Buying Team and working closely with the Regional Directors and Heads of Departments in appraising business opportunities such as in-house developments and external design and build schemes for the consideration of the Regional Board and Executive Committee. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Varied workload, interesting people, able to influence the outcome WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER? Interested in joining Construction Industry from school further encouraged through FE at Building College, first opportunity of employment as Trainee Contract Surveyor WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB? ONC in Construction initially followed by HNC and promoted progressively over a period of 15 years. Completed NVQ level 5 in Project Management and secured Corporate membership of the CIOB in past 2 years IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA? Be patient, stay focused and the rewards will come