Senior Contracts Manager

Immediately Hiring: Senior Contracts Manager

Dayton-Granger, Inc. (DG) is a third-generation family-owned aerospace manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale, FL that has been proudly operating for more than 82 years. We design, test, and manufacture aircraft antennas, electrostatic dischargers, and lightning protection components used on commercial, military, and private aircraft around the world. We have an average employee tenure of 8 years, reflecting our stability and strong company culture. See more about our benefits and why DG is a great place to work below.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to support and manage the full lifecycle of aerospace customer programs across military, commercial, and general aviation markets. Reporting within the Sales & Contracts function, this role is responsible for leading day-to-day contract execution - from RFQ and proposal development through negotiation, award, and program fulfillment - while partnering closely with the VP of Sales & Contracts on overall contract strategy and risk management.

The Senior Contracts Manager serves as a primary point of contact for assigned customers and works cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and Finance to ensure contractual compliance, pricing accuracy, schedule alignment, and successful program delivery. This role requires strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS and commercial contract terms, the ability to manage complex documentation and flow-down requirements, and the judgment to escalate risks appropriately within a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary Program Manager for assigned aerospace contracts from start to finish
• Lead RFQ and proposal development in collaboration with internal stakeholders
• Own all contract negotiations, terms, pricing, and customer communication
• Build and maintain project milestone schedules, ensuring cross-departmental alignment
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Quality to ensure program success
• Enter and track quotes and orders in ERP system; review PO terms and validate flow-downs
• Monitor customer portals and opportunity boards (e.g., SAM.gov) for upcoming programs
• Respond to customer inquiries, compliance requests, and deliverables
• Support business development and marketing with technical contract inputs and pricing guidance
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure program compliance with all requirements
• Contribute to process improvement within the Contracts and Program Management functions
• Follow all DG safety procedures as per company policies and Safety Director guidelines

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technical Management, or related field
• 5+ years of experience managing aerospace or manufacturing contracts
• Expertise in contract lifecycle management (RFQs, negotiation, execution)
• Familiarity with U.S. Government contracts, FAR/DFARS, and commercial terms
• Strong communication and relationship management skills
• ERP experience (quote entry, contract flow-down, PO review)
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate or law-related background
• Experience supporting program delivery in aerospace or defense manufacturing
• Familiarity with ISO and quality compliance requirements
• APMP or PMP certification

Pre-Employment Requirements: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen, in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

At Dayton-Granger, we're big enough to support long-term aviation programs, but small enough to give you ownership and visibility across the entire operation. Located in sunny South Florida, our team blends legacy expertise with continuous innovation. With an average employee tenure of 10 years, we celebrate our people—and empower them to grow.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Complimentary life insurance and supplemental coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Mental health support
• Work-life balance focused environment
• Access to modern technology and tools
• Team-building events and service milestone recognition

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities. This position requires access to information subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons under these laws (U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).