Contracts Manager I

Contracts Manager

Key Responsbility/Requirements:

• Serve as a customer-facing Contracts Manager, acting as the primary point of contact for contractual matters
• Manage a high volume of New Product Introduction (NPI) programs, beyond recurring hardware contracts
• Support new contract awards, including review and execution processes
• Interpret, draft, and negotiate contract terms and conditions
• Lead contract negotiations with customers and stakeholders
• Review and manage Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
• Develop and maintain product-specific and product schedule agreements
• Experience in aerospace (military, commercial) or electronics manufacturing environments preferred
• Working knowledge of export compliance regulations and requirements
• Background in manufacturing environments required (non-service industry)
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 10%
• Would support both Mentor and Moncks Corner - Must be onsite in Mentor, OH

Position Summary:
Leads a functional team in Mentor, OH, and Moncks Corner, SC locations and is responsible for developing, negotiating, and administering a variety of assigned contracts of moderate scope and complexity. Supports the site's contract management function by aligning and implementing effective goals, policies, and procedures, and by ensuring contractual and regulatory compliance.

Essential Functions:
Manages and is accountable for the performance of assigned contracts and programs. Leads negotiations and ensures coordination within and across internal teams. May lead multi-divisional contract negotiations.
Applies thorough knowledge of products and services and understanding of division goals and strategies in developing contracts and proposals. Supports the Division and/or site by implementing and following through on strategic objectives and tactical goals.
Leads and guides the team in performing analysis, interpretation, investigation, and research of critical contractual information and data. Provides guidance on contract interpretations and in developing recommendations and negotiation alternatives.
Evaluates the company's contractual risk in terms of cost exposure (e.g., compensation of damages/costs associated with performance) on assigned contracts. Works with the team to mitigate risk during contract performance. Manages the contractual change-control process in accordance with program-management change-control procedures.
Oversees and approves task planning on assigned contracts. Approves resource requirements and effort estimates. Applies understanding of program financial reporting methods. Ensures an effective process to advise other teams of contractual flow-down requirements.
Establishes direction for the functional team and direct reports. Develops and mentors others. Champions professional certification and career development for the Group contracts administration/management community.
May execute the duties associated with Export Compliance, including the division-wide Export Compliance Program. May act as the Division's Export Administrator.
Investigates and resolves compliance problems and responds to questions from internal or customer sources and government regulatory agencies.
Coordinates training and business meetings to facilitate the exchange of information on contract reviews. Develops and implements programs to increase cross-functional knowledge and awareness of contracting requirements and policies as needed.
Maintains and coordinates contacts with domestic and foreign civilian and military representatives, as well as customers and government agency officials. Analyzes problem/opportunity areas, structures data-gathering and evaluation of internal processes, and coordinates responses.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (BA) in Business Administration or a related discipline. Contracts management certification preferred. An advanced degree (MS/MBA/JD) may be preferred.
7 or more years of related experience, including 2 years in a project lead role. Demonstrated experience with multiple contracts of varying complexity and scope.
Requires contract management certification. May require Program Management certification or other certifications as appropriate to the job function.
Ability to facilitate work within and across teams and at varied levels of leadership and customer contacts
Ability to quickly identify and address critical issues of complex programs and lead the team to develop an action plan to improve performance.
Broad understanding and knowledge of contract management processes and various contract types. Thorough knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to contracts. May require in-depth knowledge in a broad range of export Regulatory Requirements and certification as an ECoP or equivalent.
Able to lead process improvements; able to oversee/conduct training and rollout efforts to institutionalize process improvements.
Proficient in contract management concepts, tools, techniques, and risk management. Understands the impact of key terms to flow down. Strong negotiation skills. Thorough knowledge of legal principles and the ability to identify high-risk contractual terms.
Ability to create partnerships with the contract customers, end-use customers, and suppliers.
Has detailed knowledge of the product lines and marketplace associated with the fielded products in assigned contracts. Thorough knowledge of applied technology and processes included in the contracts.
Demonstrated application of business concepts and accounting principles associated with project cost and budgetary planning/control. Thorough understanding of the relationships between basic product, program, and operational information related to contracting. Solid understanding of estimation methods, critical path analysis, and earned value techniques.
Ability to effectively communicate and present status, actions, recommendations, and other technical information with clarity and precision. Able to respond to significant inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or other teams. Able to influence business decisions and negotiate resource allocation.
Effectively uses current information technology, systems, and business applications related to contracting and customer/supplier interface; is proficient with standard software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes), project management, and database analysis tools.