Contract Manager

Katalyst CRO; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO is seeking a Senior Contracts & Claims Manager to lead the commercial management of CAPEX projects, from contract strategy through execution and close-out. You will work with the Global Engineering team and project stakeholders to protect client rights, optimize value, and minimize risk while ensuring on-time, cost-efficient project delivery.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in contracts, cost control, and claims within regulated industries, and hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher with commercial focus.
• Demonstrated experience in contracts, claims and change management.
• Experience with EPCMV/EPC or major capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract strategy development and execution for CAPEX projects.
• Manage contract changes, claims, variations and disputes with owners/subcontractors.
• Coordinate with Global SGIE, Legal, Finance and Project Management.
• Ensure supplier performance, risk mitigation and compliance with procurement standards.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Cost control

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree (MSc/MBA) or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

• As a member of the Global Capital Sourcing team, a Senior Contracts & Claims Manager is sought to be responsible for the commercial management of a variety of projects within large and medium green or brown field CAPEX schemes (CAPEX project sizes/spend of min 5 m USD). The aims are to protect Client rights and entitlements as provided in the contracts, ensure the Contractors' obligations are fulfilled, ensure Client is fulfilling their obligations, optimizing value-for-money, reducing contract risks, lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), on time/schedule delivery, quality and in-cost project purchases to support the goal for Client growth investments.
• He/she is in position to mitigate risks related to the contract creation / execution, identify cost benefit solutions to complex contractual matters (including regular delivery and close out of complex negotiations with extremal Stakeholders and Consultants).
• The position is expected to act as a commercial expert working in close cooperation and coordination together with the Global Engineering team (SGIE), the local project team and any other relevant internal or external stakeholder, ensuring a common Client approach to suppliers.

Job Description

• As a member of the Global Capital Sourcing team, a Senior Contracts & Claims Manager is sought to be responsible for the commercial management of a variety of projects within large and medium green or brown field CAPEX schemes (CAPEX project sizes/spend of min 5 m USD). The aims are to protect Client rights and entitlements as provided in the contracts, ensure the Contractors' obligations are fulfilled, ensure Client is fulfilling their obligations, optimizing value-for-money, reducing contract risks, lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), on time/schedule delivery, quality and in-cost project purchases to support the goal for Client growth investments.
• He/she is in position to mitigate risks related to the contract creation / execution, identify cost benefit solutions to complex contractual matters (including regular delivery and close out of complex negotiations with extremal Stakeholders and Consultants).
• The position is expected to act as a commercial expert working in close cooperation and coordination together with the Global Engineering team (SGIE), the local project team and any other relevant internal or external stakeholder, ensuring a common Client approach to suppliers.

Responsibilities:

Project Procurement Execution Strategy

• Support the definition of the Risk mitigation plan.
• Participate in development of contracting strategies.
• Involve Cost Control Group and ensure the implementation of cost control system e.g. progress measurement, remeasurement, bank guarantees, additional items, claims, cash flow and back-charges.
• Analyse the contract conditions and assist the project management in the preparation and conduction of the execution of those contracts.
• Involvement with the review of new tenders and contracts with Strategic Supplier.
• Support the negotiation of major contracts, subcontracts and own the final review and document preparation with Strategic Supplier.
• Ensure relevant Procurement & SGIE process and standards are followed.

Post Tender Award:

• Lead the execution of contracts to secure our Client contractual rights and entitlements.
• Responsible to report contracting plan status and variations to the Project & Procurement on a periodic basis.
• Manage the contracting plan during project execution, commissioning and evaluation stages, including the contractor's cost in cooperation with Cost Control.
• Prepare a summary of key contractual points (deviations from norms, identified risks, of concern to Client) generated by a review such that they can be readily identified and addressed.
• Negotiate and agree contract extensions & change request.
• Coordinate activities such as change orders, delay management, conflict management, preparation for potential litigation / arbitration / ADR in terms of proper documentation, timely responses to the contractor as per contract.
• Monitor and safeguards the legal right as per the provisions of the contract.
• Manage the Warranty and performance guarantees of the project assets.
• Ensuring all requirements of Client, are met with respect to contract review.
• Coordinating the involvement of legal counsel and/or Client legal counsel in reviews as required.
• Support in Arbitration and in Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures.
• Overseeing, managing, directing and supporting the project commercial teams to ensure optimization of project returns.

Claim Management:

• Identifying opportunities for outgoing claims, development of claim strategies, supporting/preparing notifications/correspondence as well as negotiation and settlement.
• Analysis of incoming claims, development of defense strategies, supporting/preparing response/correspondence, claim negotiation and settlement.
• Collection and registration of all claim related documentation in company's claim repository.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Manage escalation of issues and claims management with supplier.
• Develop the supplier relationship according to the expectations per supplier segment.
• Support supplier relationship management and to ensure reliable high quality supply.
• Support the supplier performance, compliance and accountability through supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
• Involved in periodic commercial audits of main contractors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Stakeholder Management:

• Identify and engage with internal stakeholders, including Project Management, Global SGIE, Global Procurement and Corporate Functions (mainly Legal and Finance).
• Clarify stakeholder requirements.
• Drive proactive communications.

Requirements:

• A higher commercial background equivalent to a Bachelor (BSc/BA), preferably Master degree (MSc/MBA) or equivalent and a good thorough technical understanding and knowledge.
• Purchasing, Engineering or Legal, Quantity Surveying or Cost Consulting.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience with major contractors / consultants in roles dealing with management of project change procedures, cost management, claims and variations, negotiation and settlement of disputes with owners and subcontractors.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing contract strategies that have yielded measurable business results.
• Ability to work cross functionally in project work and project management.
• Has preferably overseen, sourced from or worked for EPCMV / EPC contractors.
• Experience operating at a senior level on a major project or in a Commercial / Claims Manager role in a large construction company.
• Experience in a regulated industry (i.e. pharmaceutical, food) advantageous.