Contract and Supply Chain Manager - Program Delivery

Austal-7; City Of Cockburn; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Professional development opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Career progression

Job summary

Austal in Henderson, WA, seeks a Contract & Supply Chain Manager to lead end-to-end contract management and procurement for major defence shipbuilding programs. You will drive performance, risk mitigation, and governance across complex, high-value contracts.

Candidates will manage supplier relationships, variations, and disputes, ensuring alignment with head contracts and supplier frameworks while supporting program delivery targets.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in senior contract or commercial leadership roles.
• Experience managing high-value defence/shipbuilding contracts.
• Strong commercial acumen and supplier governance.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract and supply chain teams across complex shipbuilding programs.
• Oversee supplier and subcontractor management, ensuring performance and compliance.
• Maintain commercial governance of head contracts, including risk and obligations management.
• Ensure alignment of contract requirements across all supplier agreements.
• Drive supplier performance through KPI monitoring and corrective actions.
• Lead contract variations, claims, and dispute resolution processes.
• Partner with program teams to ensure integrated delivery outcomes.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks aligned with defence and regulatory standards.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual, and supply chain risks.
• Drive continuous improvement across contract management and supply chain functions.

Skills

Senior leadership

Contract negotiations

Supplier relationship management

Cross-functional leadership

ERP systems

Education

Law/Commerce/Business/Supply Chain degree

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Contract and Supply Chain Manager - Program Delivery

About the Opportunity

Based in Henderson, WA, the Contract & Supply Chain Manager â Program Delivery is responsible for leading the strategic and operational delivery of contract management and supply chain functions across major defence shipbuilding programs.

This role will oversee endâtoâend commercial, contractual, and procurement activities, ensuring alignment between head contract obligations and supplier frameworks while driving performance, compliance, and risk mitigation across a complex and highâvalue program environment.

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Lead contract and supply chain teams across complex shipbuilding programs
• Oversee supplier and subcontractor management, ensuring performance and compliance
• Maintain commercial governance of head contracts, including risk and obligations management
• Ensure alignment of contract requirements across all supplier agreements
• Drive supplier performance through KPI monitoring and corrective actions
• Lead contract variations, claims, and dispute resolution processes
• Partner with program teams to ensure integrated delivery outcomes
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks aligned with defence and regulatory standards
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual, and supply chain risks
• Drive continuous improvement across contract management and supply chain functions

You’ll Need

• 15+ years’ experience in senior contract or commercial leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience managing highâvalue, highârisk contracts in defence, shipbuilding, or heavy industry
• Tertiary qualification in Law, Commerce, Business, Supply Chain or related discipline
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing complex negotiations and supplier relationships
• Proven leadership experience managing crossâfunctional teams and stakeholders
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle or similar)
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• A supportive and dynamic work environment
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.