Government Contracts & Procurement Lead

Job Description We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Contracts & Procurement Manager to serves as the principal resource for procurement, contract administration, and vendor management supporting the organization’s obligations under U.S. Government contracts and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) requirements. The role is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of purchasing and contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies, federal regulations (FAR/DFARS), and cybersecurity requirements. The manager functions as both a contracts architect and operational coordinator—working with Operations, Legal, Finance, Engineering, and executive leadership to ensure contractual and procurement obligations are met and defensible to customers, primes, auditors, and government stakeholders. The manager serves as an advisor to leadership regarding contract risk exposure, audit readiness, and procurement posture, helping maintain the company’s eligibility to perform on U.S. Government contracts. The ideal candidate is highly organized, commercially minded, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment. This position requires strong negotiation skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with operations, finance, legal, and executive leadership. Key Responsibilities Contract Management Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a wide range of contracts, including vendor agreements, subcontractor agreements, service agreements, NDAs, and purchase terms. Maintain and organize contract records, renewals, amendments, and compliance documentation. Monitor contractual obligations and ensure timely execution of deliverables, renewals, and notices. Identify and mitigate contractual and commercial risks. Coordinate with legal counsel as necessary on complex agreements or disputes. Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and DIB-specific requirements. Procurement & Purchasing Manage procurement processes for goods, services, materials, and subcontracted work, supporting project execution and operational needs. Source and evaluate vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors based on pricing, quality, reliability, and performance. Negotiate pricing, terms, and service agreements to optimize value and reduce costs. Develop and maintain vendor relationships and performance standards. Ensure purchasing activities align with budgets, operational needs, and company policies. Process & Compliance Develop and improve procurement and contract management procedures and internal controls. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, cybersecurity standards (e.g., CMMC, NIST SP 800-171), and company standards. Support audits and reporting requirements related to purchasing and contracts. Track procurement metrics, spending trends, and vendor performance. Cross-Functional Coordination Work closely with operations, legal, accounting, and leadership teams to support project, sales, and operational needs. Support onboarding/offboarding of vendors and subcontractors. Assist departments with bid packages, RFPs, scope reviews, and vendor selection. Provide guidance regarding contractual obligations and procurement best practices. Present procurement and contract posture to leadership. Translate findings into business and contract risk. Provide readiness reporting prior to contract pursuits. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Construction Management, or related field preferred. 5+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, contract administration, or supply chain management. Experience managing vendor and subcontractor agreements in a fast-paced operational environment. Strong negotiation and analytical skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. High attention to detail and organizational ability. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement/accounting software systems. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with minimal supervision. Preferred Qualifications Experience in construction, manufacturing, engineering, government contracting, or project-based industries. Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, ITAR/EAR, insurance requirements, lien waivers, compliance documentation, and risk management. Experience developing procurement procedures or improving operational workflows. Knowledge of federal or grant-funded procurement requirements is a plus. U.S. Citizenship required due to government contract obligations. Must successfully complete a background investigation. Must comply with all company security policies and safeguarding procedures. Security Requirements U.S. Citizenship required due to government contract obligations. Must successfully complete a background investigation. Must comply with all company security policies and safeguarding procedures. #J-18808-Ljbffr