Job Purpose
The Contracts Lead is accountable for the post-order commercial and contractual coordination of customer orders to ensure that contractual obligations, delivery milestones, documentation, and internal handovers are managed effectively from order acceptance through to completion.
The role ensures that customer contracts are executed in line with agreed commercial terms, delivery commitments, and internal governance requirements, acting as the central coordination point between Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance, Warehousing, and Service. The role does not own tendering, pricing, or commercial negotiation, which remain with Sales, nor does it own operational execution, which remains with Operations delivery teams. Its focus is disciplined contract execution, visibility, and control.
Job Context
The Contracts Lead operates within the Operations function and reports to the Operations Manager. The role bridges the gap between Sales handover and operational execution, ensuring that contracts are correctly interpreted, planned, monitored, and closed out.
The role works closely with the Tendering Manager during handover, with the Technical Purchaser and Planning teams on material readiness, with Warehousing and Logistics on delivery coordination, with Finance on invoicing readiness, and with Service on service-related contract obligations.
The role has a short- to medium-term operational horizon, focused on delivery discipline, stakeholder coordination, and contractual risk management.
Job Dimensions
Number of Staff Supervised
- Direct Reports: 0
- Total Employees: 0
Financial Dimensions
- Strong influence on revenue realisation, margin protection, cash flow timing, and avoidance of contractual penalties through effective contract execution and coordination.
- Payment & Other Authorisations as per approved Delegation of Authority.
Key Accountabilities
Contract Handover & Control
- Receive and review formal contract handovers from Sales and Tendering, ensuring scope, milestones, documentation, and obligations are clearly understood.
- Establish and maintain contract execution plans, including key milestones, delivery dates, documentation requirements, and dependencies.
- Maintain contract files with complete, accurate, and controlled documentation.
Coordination of Contract Execution
- Coordinate cross-functional activities required to fulfil contract obligations, including procurement, production, warehousing, logistics, testing, service, and documentation.
- Monitor progress against contractual milestones and expedite risks, delays, or deviations to the Operations Manager.
- Ensure timely availability of materials, documentation, and approvals required for delivery.
Customer & Internal Communication
- Act as the primary operational point of contact for customers on contract execution matters (excluding sales and commercial negotiation).
- Provide regular status updates to customers and internal stakeholders on order progress and delivery readiness.
- Manage customer expectations in line with contractual commitments and approved changes.
Financial & Commercial Coordination
- Coordinate with Finance to ensure readiness for invoicing, including confirmation of delivery milestones, documentation, and acceptance requirements.
- Support monitoring of cost versus quoted assumptions and escalating potential margin risks.
- Support management of variations, claims, or contractual changes in coordination with Sales and the Operations Manager.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate contract status reports and dashboards.
- Provide regular reporting on contract progress, risks, and outcomes to the Operations Manager.
- Identify recurring contract execution issues and contribute to improvements in handover, planning, and execution processes.
Qualifications, Experience & Skills
Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge
- Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma in Engineering, Project Management, Commerce, or a related discipline.
- Strong understanding of contract execution, project coordination, and order fulfilment in an engineered or project-based environment.
Minimum Experience
- 5–8 years’ experience in contracts coordination, project delivery, or order management roles.
- Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally across Sales, Operations, Procurement, and Finance.
Job Specific Skills
- Contract and project coordination capability.
- Strong planning, tracking, and reporting skills.
- Commercial awareness and basic financial acumen.
- Ability to manage multiple contracts and competing priorities.
- Clear and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Behavioral Competencies
- Structured, disciplined, and detail oriented.
- Calm and solution-focused under pressure.
- Confident in coordinating across functions without formal authority.
- Customer-aware while protecting internal governance.
- Reliable and accountable for follow-through.