Contract Administration Manager

Leads the contract administration function for the division and is responsible for leading/developing contract administrators. Ensures efficient coordination, and execution of contract terms and conditions, and deliverables.

Administers assigned contracts of complex scope to ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations.Defines requirements, generates and provides input for proposals, negotiates pricing and terms, monitors contract performance and ensures compliance with contract requirements.

Determines customer contractual requirements for new products and/or systems (i.e. Proposals that include engineering design and system hardware) and other specialized assignments.

Has responsibilities for Order Management comprised of: Limited order entry, schedule changes, portal management, creations of Demand Plans as part of Sales, Inventory and Operating Plan (SIOP), customer communication and PO/Contract review and analysis.

SCOPE/SUPERVISION AND INTERACTION:

X Has Direct Reports Does Not Have Direct Reports

Typically reports to the Director of Programs and Contracts. 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 Contract Administration Manager will be responsible for conducting routine customer reviews regarding contract performance.

• Administers and is accountable for the performance of military and commercial contracts for all Divisional programs. Administers specialized and/or major contracts by analyzing performance requirements and customer purchase order requirements including those issued against Basic Contract Agreements and/or Long-Term Agreements. Analyses include performance to delivery schedules, pricing, terms and conditions and other contract provisions.
• Determines technically and commercially compliant proposal packages of diverse scope and complexity for major customers in response to customer and contract requirements. Evaluates performance requirements, delivery schedules, and estimates of costs of material, equipment, and labor hours.
• Initiates bid process by identifying requirements and coordinating input from other functions. Develops responses to requests for proposal (RFP) of difficult scope and complexity by reviewing bid process procedures, reviewing material, test, and other requirements, and preparing appropriate responses. Prepares and submits complex proposals.
• Negotiates contract requirements in accordance with legal and company regulations and policies. Negotiates price, terms and conditions, deliveries, and other business issues within scope of responsibility. Ensures contract provisions are clear and conform to company policy.
• Monitors contract performance by determining compliance to contract requirements and determining the need for amendments or extensions to the contract. Determines when customer directed changes are out-of-scope.
• 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.
• Responsible for establishing the annual sales plan for the division in accordance with strategic objectives, then executing against and meeting the plan.
• Responsible for leading the Demand Planning portion of the SIOP process and coordinating with Production Planning and Operations to ensure ability to execute against the sales plan.
• 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.
• Oversees and approves task planning on contracts or programs; approves resource requirements and level-of-effort estimates. Assures both proficiency and productivity are efficient and effective – and continuously optimized. Provides risk analysis and management and assures the division interests and strategies are secured and optimized.
• Responsible for Division implementation of and compliance with export 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 and designated as an Empowered Official.
• 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 Administration function and other functional teams, as needed.

Education & Experience:

• Seven+ years of directly related contract administration 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.
• U.S. government/DoD contracting experience.
• Experience in aerospace preferred.
• Experience with certified price and cost proposals (FAR 15.4) preferred.
• Contract management certification preferred (e.g., National Contract Management Association (NCMA); WorldCC)

Knowledge, Skills & 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). 
• Able to lead on-going process improvements; able to oversee/conduct training and effectively and promptly execute process improvements within the contract administration 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 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 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).