Contracts Manager (Procurement)

Contracts Manager (Procurement)Our partner is looking for a Contracts Manager (Procurement) based in the United States. As a Contracts Manager (Procurement), you will oversee the full procurement and inbound contracting lifecycle for a growing technology organization specializing in software, SaaS, and professional services. You will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and managing vendor relationships while ensuring favorable commercial terms and appropriate risk management. Working closely with Legal, Finance, IT, Engineering, Security, and Operations, you will help drive efficient purchasing decisions and strengthen supplier partnerships. You will lead contract negotiations, monitor vendor performance, manage renewals, and improve visibility into spending and contractual commitments. The role combines commercial strategy, contract management, and operational efficiency in a fast-paced, innovative environment. You will also leverage AI-powered tools and digital platforms to streamline procurement processes while applying sound judgment to complex business and legal considerations.Accountabilities:End-to-End Procurement Management: Own the complete procurement and inbound contracting lifecycle, from initial business requests and sourcing activities through vendor selection, onboarding, negotiation, contract execution, administration, renewal, and closeout.Vendor Sourcing and Evaluation: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define procurement needs and support vendor selection through market research, Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), vendor demonstrations, competitive bids, and comparative assessments of pricing, capabilities, and risks.Vendor Due Diligence and Onboarding: Coordinate security, financial, operational, and compliance reviews with IT, Security, Finance, and other relevant teams to ensure vendors meet organizational requirements.Contract Preparation and Negotiation: Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a wide range of vendor agreements using standard templates and established contracting guidelines, including: software and SaaS licensing agreements, master services agreements (MSAs) and statements of work (SOWs), professional services and consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), hardware, equipment, and procurement agreements, subcontractor, reseller, and teaming agreements, contract amendments, renewals, and order forms.Commercial and Legal Risk Management: Act as the primary contact for vendor negotiations, working directly with legal, sales, and procurement representatives. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, multi-year commitments, renewal conditions, termination rights, and other commercial provisions while identifying and escalating significant legal, financial, operational, security, and compliance risks.Contractual Compliance: Apply established contractual playbooks and pre-approved fallback positions when negotiating key provisions, including intellectual property, licensing, warranties, indemnification, liability limitations, confidentiality, data protection, insurance, and service levels. Escalate non-standard or complex legal matters to the appropriate Legal leadership.Purchase and Budget Coordination: Support purchase requisitions and purchase order processes, ensuring procurement activities align with approved budgets, authorization thresholds, and internal policies in collaboration with Finance and budget owners.Renewal and Vendor Performance Management: Monitor upcoming contract renewals, notice periods, and contractual deadlines. Engage business owners early to negotiate renewals, consolidate services, or discontinue agreements where appropriate. Track vendor performance against contractual obligations and service levels, leading business reviews and issue resolution when necessary.Spend Analysis and Optimization: Monitor vendor spending and identify opportunities to reduce costs, negotiate better pricing, consolidate suppliers, and eliminate redundant tools or services.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Finance, IT, Security, Engineering, Operations, and Legal to ensure agreements reflect business needs, security standards, compliance requirements, and applicable subcontractor flow-down obligations.Contract Lifecycle Administration: Maintain executed agreements and monitor key contractual obligations, including renewal dates, notice requirements, pricing commitments, volume thresholds, reporting obligations, and other milestones. Use LinkSquares as the primary contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform for contract intake, repository management, renewal tracking, and reporting.Technology and Process Improvement: Leverage AI-powered tools to accelerate contract review, redlining, summarization, obligation tracking, vendor research, and comparisons, while validating outputs and protecting confidential information. Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reduce contracting cycle times, and increase consistency.Additional Legal Support: Contribute to due diligence activities, audits, corporate transactions, compliance initiatives, and other projects led by the Legal department.Requirements:Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.At least 3 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, contracts management, commercial contracting, or a comparable field, preferably within software, SaaS, technology, or professional services organizations.Demonstrated experience managing vendor selection and sourcing activities, including RFPs, competitive bidding, and vendor evaluations.Practical experience reviewing and negotiating commercial or vendor agreements, working with standard contractual terms, established playbooks, and pre-approved fallback positions.Working knowledge of common technology contract provisions, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, confidentiality, data protection, warranties, indemnification, and limitations of liability. A formal legal background is not required, as support is available for complex legal matters.Proven ability to negotiate directly with vendors and their representatives, particularly on pricing, payment structures, renewal conditions, and termination provisions.Hands-on experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms; familiarity with LinkSquares is strongly preferred.Comfortable using AI-powered tools to improve contracting efficiency, with sound judgment regarding accuracy, confidentiality, data protection, and the need for human review.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, vendors, and senior leadership.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple negotiations, contractual obligations, renewal deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously.Good commercial judgment and problem-solving abilities, including the capacity to distinguish routine contractual matters from issues requiring escalation to Legal or senior management.Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving business environment while adapting to changing priorities and processes.Preferred Qualifications:Experience managing software, SaaS, and professional services procurement, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors.Familiarity with government contracting requirements, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and subcontractor or supplier flow-down provisions.Experience with vendor management, spend analysis, and procurement or spend management platforms.Familiarity with contract management technologies, including electronic signature solutions and AI-assisted contract review tools.Knowledge of CRM and business management platforms, such as Salesforce.Benefits:Competitive annual salary: $120,300–$180,500, depending on experience and qualifications.Eligibility for additional performance-based bonuses.Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.401(k) retirement plan with a generous employer matching contribution.Responsible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.Paid company holidays.Remote working opportunities, depending on role requirements.Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing additional personal and professional support.Career advancement opportunities and ongoing professional development.Opportunity to contribute to innovative technology solutions in mission-critical industries.