Contracts Specialist

Austal-7; Cockburn; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Professional development and training

Supportive and dynamic work env.

Career advancement

Job summary

Austal Defence Australia (ADA) is seeking a Contracts Specialist to manage supplier contracts and commercial arrangements across procurement activities. You will lead negotiations, renewals, amendments and extensions to secure favourable commercial outcomes while ensuring compliance and value for money.

You will provide commercial guidance to internal stakeholders, assess risk, maintain supplier relationships and support policy governance.

Qualifications

• Experience managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements in a procurement environment.
• Strong contract negotiation, commercial analysis and risk management skills.
• Ability to interpret contractual terms and provide practical commercial advice to stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills.
• Experience with ERP systems and procurement platforms.
• CIPS qualification is desirable.
• Experience in Defence/Maritime/Construction/Mining/Energy or other complex environments is desirable.
• Eligibility for Defence Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier contracts and commercial arrangements across a range of procurement activities.
• Lead contract negotiations, renewals, amendments and extensions to achieve favourable commercial outcomes.
• Develop sourcing and contract strategies that align with business requirements and procurement objectives.
• Provide commercial guidance on contractual obligations, risk and supplier performance.
• Identify, assess and manage contractual and commercial risks throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support delivery, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Monitor supplier performance and contract compliance, addressing issues and driving corrective actions where required.
• Support the development and maintenance of procurement policies, contract templates and governance processes.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Commercial analysis

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship management

Interpret contractual terms

Influencing

Education

Bachelor-level in Procurement/Commerce

CIPS (desirable)

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement platforms

Contract management software

Job description

As the Contracts Specialist for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you’ll be responsible for managing supplier contracts and commercial arrangements across key procurement activities to ensure business requirements are met and value for money is delivered. You’ll act as a commercial subject matter expert, building strong supplier relationships, supporting contract negotiations, developing sourcing and contract strategies, managing contractual risk, and ensuring compliance with procurement frameworks to strengthen supplier performance and business outcomes.

About Austal

Austal isAustralia’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.

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

What’s Involved

Manage supplier contracts and commercial arrangements across a range of procurement activities.

Lead contract negotiations, renewals, amendments and extensions to achieve favourable commercial outcomes.

Develop sourcing and contract strategies that align with business requirements and procurement objectives.

Provide commercial guidance to internal stakeholders on contractual obligations, risk and supplier performance.

Identify, assess and manage contractual and commercial risks throughout the contract lifecycle.

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support delivery, compliance and continuous improvement.

Monitor supplier performance and contract compliance, addressing issues and driving corrective actions where required.

Support the development and maintenance of procurement policies, contract templates and governance processes.

You’ll Need

Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain, Commerce, Business, Contract Law or a related discipline.

Demonstrated experience managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements in a procurement environment.

Strong contract negotiation, commercial analysis and risk management skills.

Ability to interpret contractual terms and provide practical commercial advice to stakeholders.

Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills.

Experience working within ERP systems and procurement platforms.

Professional procurement qualifications such as CIPS (desirable).

Experience within Defence, Maritime, Construction, Mining, Energy or other complex project environments (desirable).

Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training 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.