Contracts Administration Manager jobs in Lorain, OH

Leads the contract management function for the division and is responsible for all contract management functions including contract and price negotiations (e.g. sustaining, new contracts, follow-on, terminations and close-out). Also responsible for development and execution of contract strategy and leading/developing contract administrators. Ensures efficient coordination, consistency and execution of contract terms and conditions, and deliverables. Prepares and provides recommendations to Division leadership on major and/or critical contract negotiations to ensure appropriate review of potential liabilities and areas of risk and mitigation plans.

SCOPE/SUPERVISION AND INTERACTION:

__X__ Has Direct Reports ____ Does Not Have Direct Reports

Reports to the Director, Programs & Business Development (oversees Contracts, Program Management and Business Development/Sales/Marketing). Provides direct leadership to subordinates as well as provides thought and situational leadership on teams in which contract involvement is required or needed. The role will have recurring interaction with Division Team Leaders, General Manager and staff, and external stakeholders and customers. The Contracts Manager will be responsible for conducting routine customer reviews regarding contract performance.

Manages and is accountable for the performance of military and commercial contracts for all Divisional programs. Leads complex negotiations including both T's and C's, pricing, engineering changes/modifications and other critical aspects of the contract.
• Contributes to meeting business objectives and participates in strategic planning - while being fully responsible for execution of strategy that relates to contracts. A clear grasp and understanding of division goals and strategies and how it applies to contract management practices for optimal business and financial performance is expected.
• Assures and/or conducts research, develop, and manage activities related to international business development activities (e.g. contract terms for use with non-U.S. customers and suppliers; international letters of credit, Incoterms, Export Control, etc.). Supports best value strategies and opportunities associated with international supplier and offset strategies and assisting with negotiations and recommends courses of action.
• Provides expert advice and interpretation of legal contract and subcontract terms and conditions to minimize or reduce risk and potential liabilities. Analyzes, defines, and estimates the potential impact of contract liability and provides practical and useful guidance and opinions as to how any negative impacts should be viewed, mitigated, and/or eliminated. As part of this, the role is responsible for also determining and place probabilities of such occurrence of risk (ex: severity and probability matrix).
• Plans, develops, recommends, and implements training, procedures, and systems to be used for contract review across the Division. Participates in high-risk or complex areas. The role will also support other functions (ex: PMO, BD/Sales, Accounting and Supply Chain) in the review, interpretation, drafting, escalation of contractual matters, major sub-contracts/supplier agreements, joint ventures, and/or other forms of agreements (e.g. MoU, MoA, Letter K's, etc.). Prepares Contract Summaries for all major contracts and assures timeliness is all contract extensions.
• Establishes direction for functional team and direct reports. Develops and mentors others. Champions professional and career development through hands-on opportunities, bubble assignments and certifications. Establishes and assures expectations and standards of conduct, follow-through and execution are maintained and held accountable.
• Manages the contract management budget for Division. Oversees and approves task planning on contracts or programs; approves resource requirements and level-of-effort estimates. Assures both proficiency and productivity is efficient and effective - and continuous optimized. Provides risk analysis and managements and assures the division interests and strategies are secured and optimized. Leads the development of a consistent, effective process for contractual flow down requirements.
• Responsible for Division implementation of and compliance with export compliance policies and procedures as per policies of the U.S. Commerce Department (Export Control Administration) and U.S. State Department (ITAR). Provides cohesive leadership in export compliance.
• Investigates and resolves compliance problems and responds to questions from internal or customer sources and government regulatory agencies. Supports all audits as required and performed by Corporate entities, outside accounting firms, DCAA/DCMA as well as internal audits and compliance matters.
• Prepares, coordinates and manages customer/business meetings to facilitate the effective management and compliance of customer contracts. Develops and implements programs to increase cross-functional knowledge and awareness of contracting requirements, obligations/commitments as well as associated policies.
• Maintains and coordinates contacts with domestic and foreign civilian and military representatives, as well as customers and government agency officials. Analyzes problem/opportunity areas, oversees and structures data-gathering including pricing (e.g. market, value, cost, etc.) and economics to helps assure optimal growth and business results.
• Acts as a mentor and provides training to the Contract Management function and other functional teams, as needed.

Education:

• Seven years of directly related contract management experience - preferably in a manufacturing setting, including five years in a leadership role. Demonstrated leadership of multiple contracts of significant complexity and scope.
• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA/BBA) in Business or a related discipline (ex: Management, Economics, Finance, Operations/Industrial Engineering).
• Advanced degree (MBA/MS) is a plus and preferred.
• Contract management certification will also be viewed favorably.
• Certifications are viewed positive (ex: CACM, CPCM, PMP, etc.) while hands-on experience and business results are required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior hands-on experience in leadership and training in management and leadership principles are required as well as the ability to develop and mentor others to achieve optimal levels of management and leadership.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the contract management processes and all contract types (ex: FFP, FP E, Cost-plus). Advanced knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to contracts. A working knowledge of US export compliance rules and regulations and be designated as an Empowered Official.
• Able to lead on-going process improvements; able to oversee/conduct training and effectively and promptly execute process improvements within the contracts function.
• Proficiency in Contract Management concepts, tools, techniques, and risk management. Strong negotiation skills and superior level of emotional intelligence, planning/organizing/execution while managing multiple priorities effectively is required. Strong working knowledge of legal principles behind high-risk terms that are practical to the business environment and situation.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the contract customers and internal teams.
• Has a solid knowledge of the products and marketplace associated with the fielded products. Has a working knowledge of applied technology, associated tools, and processes in order to effectively manage contract performance.
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of business concepts and accounting principles associated with the contract cost and budgetary planning/control. 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 while assuring progress towards business objectives. Able to respond to significant inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or other teams. Able to influence business decisions and determine allocation of resources.
• 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, ERP systems), project management and database/BI tools.
• Ability to quickly identify and address critical issues of complex programs and lead team to develop and execute action plan to improve performance and optimize business outcomes. Able to develop, create, plan, organize and execute at both a tactical and strategic level(s).