Contract Specialist

J.D. Irving, Limited; Dieppe; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

J.D. Irving, Limited is seeking a Contract Specialist to coordinate across Procurement, Legal, Risk Management, IT, and Finance, overseeing high-volume contract portfolios from intake to closeout.

The role involves translating legal feedback into actionable tasks, strengthening governance, and driving modernization of contract management processes, including potential CLM tech implementations. Collaboration with multiple business units is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract administration, procurement, legal operations, or a related environment.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, legal principles and language, contract lifecycle management, and execution requirements.
• Ability to review agreements, identify risks and process gaps, and communicate clear actions to non-legal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end procurement contract lifecycle, from intake and review through execution, renewal, and closeout.
• Review and prepare contracts and related documentation, coordinating input and approvals from Legal, business teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Identify contractual, commercial, and operational risks and engage subject-matter experts as required.
• Support contract negotiations and provide practical guidance on terms, processes, governance, and execution requirements.
• Maintain complete and accurate contract records using shared tools and monitor key dates, obligations, approvals, and outstanding actions.
• Track contract activity, performance, compliance, and risk trends; provide clear reporting and recommendations to management.
• Develop and improve contract policies, procedures, templates, controls, training, and supporting tools.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and corrective actions related to contract management.
• Partner across Procurement and the business to improve contract processes, service quality, consistency, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead contract lifecycle technology, workflow automation, and continuous-improvement initiatives, including the potential selection and implementation of a contract lifecycle management solution.
• Lead or support other projects and initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Law-related education

Supply chain education

Paralegal studies

Tools

Jaggaer

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

As Contract Specialist, you will serve as a central point of coordination between Procurement, business teams, Legal, Risk Management, IT, Finance, authorized signatories, and suppliers. You will manage a high-volume portfolio, translate legal feedback into clear actions, strengthen governance, and help modernize the contract management process.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end procurement contract lifecycle, from intake and review through execution, renewal, and closeout.
• Review and prepare contracts and related documentation, coordinating input and approvals from Legal, business teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Identify contractual, commercial, and operational risks and engage subject-matter experts as required.
• Support contract negotiations and provide practical guidance on terms, processes, governance, and execution requirements.
• Maintain complete and accurate contract records using shared tools and monitor key dates, obligations, approvals, and outstanding actions.
• Track contract activity, performance, compliance, and risk trends; provide clear reporting and recommendations to management.
• Develop and improve contract policies, procedures, templates, controls, training, and supporting tools.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and corrective actions related to contract management.
• Partner across Procurement and the business to improve contract processes, service quality, consistency, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead contract lifecycle technology, workflow automation, and continuous-improvement initiatives, including the potential selection and implementation of a contract lifecycle management solution.
• Lead or support other projects and initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in law, supply chain, procurement, and/or paralegal studies preferred.
• Experience in contract administration, procurement, legal operations, commercial agreements, or a related environment.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, legal principles and language, contract lifecycle management, and execution requirements.
• Strong understanding of the individual businesses and their needs.
• Ability to review agreements, identify risks and process gaps, and communicate clear actions to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, stakeholder management, and project coordination skills.
• Strong business writing, reporting, presentation, and communication skills.
• Process improvement and reporting skills preferred.
• Experience using contract workflow and repository software, such as Jaggaer, preferred.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Results-oriented, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize competing tasks, and achieve targets.
• Experience developing or improving contract policies, procedures, templates, controls, metrics, or training materials is an asset.
• Knowledge of procurement operations, supplier onboarding, insurance documentation, risk management, technology reviews, or multi-business environments is an asset.

About Us

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) operates in Eastern Canada (New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador), as well as in USA. We are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions.

We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply.

Our recruitment advisors and hiring teams will utilize human screening combined with AI technology to help identify the skills and qualities that matter most to our business, while safeguarding your privacy and using AI responsibly.

We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.