Commercial

Commercial Management is a very wide category and embraces all the functions not included in technical and marketing.

Buying: It is the buyer's job to get good value for money. He must acquire expert knowledge of the raw and packing materials which suppliers have to offer, and must build up good relations with them.

Management Accounting: The accountant's most important role is his participation in forward thinking, notably judging the financial effects of the annual operating plan. He also prepares estimates of capital expenditure and the yields on capital employed. The accountant helps to make a profit in the present and future.

Transport: All phases of the Company's operations, from the import of raw materials to the distribution of finished products, involve transport. Goods have to arrive at the right place, at the right time, in the correct quantity and at an economic price. Decisions have to be made about the appropriate form of transport and storage.

Inventory control, production planning, insurance, patents, trade marks and office services, are controlled by commercial management.

The Commercial Department is the Company's political, economic and financial watchdog, reporting on all relevant data and providing signals covering the entire operation in measuring efficiencies against pre-planned targets.

All the senior positions in commercial departments are held by commerce or accounting graduates.