Contracts Manager, Government & Commercial Operations

Contracts Manager, Government & Commercial OperationsAscent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made - making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.The Contracts Manager, Government & Commercial Operations is responsible for supporting and executing the company's contract management function across commercial and defense related business activities for a fast-paced, growth-oriented aerospace manufacturing and engineering organization.This role focuses on the full contract lifecycle, including contract intake, drafting, review, negotiation support, execution, administration, change management, contract organization, repository discipline, and post-award operational support, with particular emphasis on government and commercial customer contracts, subcontract controls, FAR/DFARS-informed contract administration, and scalable process execution.This position serves as a key operational partner to the VP, Contracts and works closely with finance, program management, project controls, supply chain, legal, and operations to improve contract visibility, searchability, compliance support, and execution quality across the business.This role also supports evaluation, implementation, and governance of AI-enabled contract lifecycle management tools and helps train internal stakeholders on key contractual obligations, risk points, and operating disciplines.This role is based in Macomb, Michigan and serves as the primary on-site contact for contract-related questions and coordination.The role reports administratively to the CFO and functionally to the VP, Contracts, who retains ownership of Contract Management, Export Compliance, FSO/FCL responsibilities, and final authority over designated government-compliance matters.Essential FunctionsLead day-to-day contract administration activities across the contract lifecycle, including intake, drafting, review, negotiation support, execution, amendment tracking, notices, change management, and closeout support for customer contracts.Review, draft, negotiate, and administer commercial and defense related customer contracts and related documents, including NDAs, purchase terms, teaming related documents, consulting agreements, licensing agreements, master agreements, and other contract vehicles.Support review and administration of subcontracts, supplier agreements, rental leases, and other non-customer agreements, with final ownership for designated non-customer agreements remaining with the VP, Contracts.Support defense customer contracting activities, including review of FAR and DFARS related terms, contract flow-down implications, cost-reimbursable and cost-plus contract administration requirements, disclosure-related obligations, and rate-audit support.Develop and maintain contract playbooks, clause summaries, intake processes, approval workflows, and administration procedures that improve consistency, speed, and control.Own contract cataloging, records retention support, repository administration, metadata discipline, and searchability to ensure that executed agreements and related records are complete, organized, and readily accessible.Lead the business-side evaluation, implementation, and day-to-day governance of contract lifecycle management and AI-enabled contract tools, including workflow design, tagging structures, clause organization, and user adoption support, while ensuring appropriate human review and escalation for higher-risk matters.Serve as the primary Michigan-based point of contact for contract questions, issue triage, and cross-functional coordination with program teams, project managers, project controllers, supply chain, and finance.Train project managers, project controllers, and other stakeholders on key contract clauses, operational obligations, compliance-sensitive provisions, and common commercial or government-contract risk issues.Support the VP, Contracts in matters involving ECCN/USML classification support, export compliance data gathering, ITAR-related process support, SAM.gov maintenance support, and other government-compliance activities, without initial responsibility for FSO/FCL duties.Coordinate fact gathering, issue summaries, and documentation for internal or external legal counsel on contract, dispute, claim, compliance, or other legal matters, and escalate sensitive or non-routine matters appropriately.Assist in internal and external audit support, including preparation of contract files, subcontract support documentation, flow-down evidence, change documentation, and corrective action tracking.Build redundancy through documentation, process standardization, cross-training, and knowledge transfer across the contract management function.Perform other related duties as assigned by management.Required Skills, Education, and ExperienceAny combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Contracts, Legal Studies, Supply Chain, or a related field required.Advanced degree or Juris Doctor preferred.Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in contract management, including meaningful experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other regulated government-contracting environments.Demonstrated experience with commercial and defense-related customer contracts, contract administration, and post-award execution support.Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, contract flow-down requirements, and practical administration of government-informed commercial and defense contracts, including exposure to cost-plus or cost-reimbursable environments, disclosure requirements, and audit support expectations.Experience reviewing and supporting subcontracts and other non-customer agreements, including supplier agreements and related commercial instruments.Strong drafting, issue-spotting, negotiation support, and contract interpretation skills.Experience establishing or improving contract processes, templates, controls, and governance practices.Experience with contract repositories, CLM systems, document management tools, or AI-enabled contract tools strongly preferred.Familiarity with export compliance concepts, including ECCN/USML classification support, ITAR-sensitive contracting environments, and government registration support, preferred.Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to understand the operational and profitability impact of contractual terms.Ability to work effectively across finance, operations, supply chain, project management, project controls, legal, and executive leadership.Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.Must meet applicable export control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person where required by law or contract.Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance preferred, depending on program access requirements.Preferred QualificationsAbility to effectively handle tasks in a fast paced environmentReports faulty equipment and has the ability to make difficult decisions and seeks management's assistance when neededAble to work varied shifts, overtime and weekends when necessaryHas confidence in leading processes, projects and looks for opportunitiesAbility to work with management team to help drive performance of locationSupervisory ResponsibilityNoneTravel RequirementsAs NecessaryWorking ConditionsTypically sits for extended periods at a computer workstationMay access and work in the manufacturing plantWhile performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particlesThe employee may be exposed to vibrationThe employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderateMay be required to travel to other site locations during the workdayMay be required to work weekends to meet department and business demandsWork with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing areaPhysical DemandsMust be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.