Contract Manager

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Contract Manager is responsible for the management of the contract process and risks in accordance with SMA’s legal and compliance policies, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance. The Contract Manager is an essential and key position with high visibility within the organization and is integral member of the legal department.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist, strategize with, and advise sales team in developing approaches to successfully pursue and win business; assist in the analysis of profitability of the potential opportunity; assist the bid team and provide advice on the contractual and project risks and coordinate with stakeholders and risk owners including procurement, finance, sales, service, commercial project management and headquarters in analyzing the opportunity and risks.
• Manages contact review, analysis and drafting of the terms and conditions and other documents relating to contract process to ensures consistency and completeness of contract terms and exhibits; ensures contract requirements/obligations are in compliance with SMA’s policies and processes risk management processes and commercial contract compliance; and that the overall contract workflow continues to function in an efficient and timely manner in line with SMA’s legal and compliance policies, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance; manage the approval process prior to contract signatures and the contract signature process to ensure compliance with SMA’s policies including the approval policies and signature policies.
• Manages the contracting process from the bid phase to project execution including creating handover documentation and training, supporting project management and finance by summarizing and tracking key contract terms and risk, assist with project reports and calculations including billing plans, which serve as a basis for decision making and project controls and project profitability.
• Serves as key point of contact for legal, sales, finance, commercial project management, procurement, applications engineering, product management, service and other project-oriented team members related to contract management and processes. 
• Maintains contracts drafts and ensures the archiving and accessibility of executed contracts.
• Provides proactive, strategic and business oriented guidance and solutions to internal business teams on corporate initiatives and objectives relating to contract management.
• Primarily responsible for negotiations; supports development of negotiation strategies and supports and coordinates with the negotiation team on complex contractual issues.
• Assists in identification, development and implementation of new contract templates, policies and processes.
• Prepare documentation related to contract and project management as a basis for decision making of senior management.
• Actively participates in project reviews in support of project execution including supporting project profitability and budget; supports project management and quality in interpreting contract requirements and obligations; manage the claims process, proactively identify and manage risk areas
• Provides strategic advice and contributes expertise and experience and proactively manage risk and help develop risk mitigation strategies as well as “lessons learn” to avoid identified project risks.
• Support SMA’s business primarily in the U.S., and in Latin and South America and Canada.
• Develops and advances strategies in support of the company’s position and performs complex analyses as needed.
• Performs other duties as may be required or assigned.

REQUIRED TRAINING (TYPE / DURATION / FIELD / ADDITIONAL TRAINING)

• Bachelor’s and/or a master’s degree in finance or business administration

REQUIRED RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (TYPE / DURATION)

• A qualification as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) is desirable
• Current or past membership in the National Contract Manager’s Association (NCMA) would be a plus
• + 10 years’ work experience with construction projects and project management
• + 10 years’ work experience in contract management in:
  • • Complex project related supply contracts
    • Master supply agreements
    • Distributor agreements
    • Complex multi-year service and/or Operations & Maintenance (O&M) agreements
    • National and international sourcing agreement
• + 3 years’ work experience as financial analyst, project controller, or equivalent with a focus on conducting financial evaluations / generating decision proposals would be a strong plus.

OTHER SPECIALIZED SKILLS

• Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking to assess the performance of suppliers against criteria such as conformance to the terms and conditions including quality, cost, reliability, ability to innovate and financial stability.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of staff and management, and, as needed with client leadership and personnel.
• Strong problem-solving skills and strategic analysis.
• Ability to provide proactive and pragmatic advice and a strategic advisor.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy required.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Fluency in English both written and verbal is required and proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese (preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), WebEx, and Adobe Acrobat in combination with good general computer skills.
• Experience with SAP R/3 is desirable.
• Ability successfully to work in multifunctional teams.
• Excellent project management skills and time management.
• Strong customer orientation both internal and external.
• This position may require periodic domestic and international travel.

WE OFFER

• The salary range for this position is $104,000-134,000 per year, dependent upon experience  
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage (including $0 premium options)
• Dedicated Hybrid Schedule: In-Office Tuesday and Thursdays; remote on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Opportunities for professional development and training 
• Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment