Contracts Manager

Position Summary:

The Contracts Manager is a strategic business partner responsible for leading the full lifecycle of commercial, aerospace, defense, and industrial customer contracts across multiple RBC Bearings business units. This highly visible role oversees contract administration, negotiation, execution, and compliance while ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

Serving as a key liaison among Sales, Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal, the Manager of Contracts ensures contractual requirements are clearly understood, effectively communicated, and successfully executed throughout the organization. The position plays a critical role in identifying and mitigating risk, supporting revenue growth, strengthening customer relationships, and driving operational excellence.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in contract negotiation, aerospace and defense customer requirements, commercial terms and conditions, and regulatory compliance within a highly engineered manufacturing environment. Through strong business acumen, cross-functional leadership, and a customer-focused approach, this individual will help secure new opportunities, protect company interests, and contribute to the continued growth and success of RBC Bearings.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the review, negotiation, drafting, and administration of customer contracts, long-term agreements (LTAs), NDAs, purchase agreements, and amendments.
• Analyze and interpret customer terms and conditions to identify contractual, financial, operational, and legal risks.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Sales, Program Management, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to ensure alignment on contractual commitments.
• Support aerospace and defense programs involving OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, military, and government-related customers.
• Manage contract compliance requirements associated with aerospace and defense industry standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Coordinate contract approvals and maintain proper documentation and records management systems.
• Participate in customer negotiations regarding pricing structures, delivery requirements, warranty provisions, liability limitations, and other commercial terms.
• Assist with bid and proposal review activities to ensure contractual requirements are properly addressed prior to quotation submission.
• Monitor contract performance metrics, milestones, renewals, and change orders.
• Identify opportunities to improve contractual processes, risk mitigation procedures, and cross-functional communication.
• Support internal and external audits related to customer contracts and regulatory compliance.
• Work closely with senior leadership on strategic business initiatives and high-value customer agreements.
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams regarding contractual obligations and compliance requirements.

• Maintain awareness of industry trends, government regulations, and aerospace/defense contractual standards.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Legal Studies, or related field required.
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in contract management, program management, business development, or commercial operations within aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing environments, engineered products, and customer contract requirements.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and customer terms & conditions.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS, aerospace quality systems, and defense contracting requirements preferred.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with OEM and Tier 1 aerospace customers strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace quality requirements.
• Experience supporting military, defense, and government-related contracts.
• Strong business acumen and financial analysis capabilities.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and compliance management skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:

• Contract negotiation
• Risk management
• Regulatory compliance
• Business acumen
• Relationship management
• Leadership and influence
• Strategic thinking
• Communication and presentation skills

Work Environment:

• This role is 100% on-site at our Corporate Headquarters in Oxford, Connecticut.
• We believe our greatest successes happen when talented people work side by side. Being onsite strengthens collaboration, accelerates problem-solving, and builds the relationships that drive innovation and growth.

About RBC Bearings

RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC) is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components, and essential systems serving the industrial, aerospace, and defense markets. For more than a century, RBC has built a reputation for delivering innovative engineering solutions and world-class manufacturing capabilities that support mission-critical applications around the world.

Our success is driven by a commitment to technical excellence, continuous improvement, and a customer-focused approach. We specialize in the design and manufacture of precision-engineered products that perform in demanding environments where quality, reliability, and performance are paramount.

With operations spanning multiple countries and manufacturing facilities across the globe, RBC Bearings offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, collaborate with industry-leading experts, and support customers in some of the world's most advanced and dynamic industries. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on fostering innovation, developing talent, and delivering exceptional value to our customers and shareholders.

RBC Bearings is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

Join RBC Bearings and be part of a team that's shaping the future of industrial, aerospace, and defense technologies.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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