Contracts Specialist

Damco Spain SL; Elizabeth, Northern (NJ, KY); On-site; USD 108,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Elizabeth, NJ is seeking a Contract Specialist to support administration and management of consultancy, construction, equipment, technology, and service contracts across project execution. Working with the Contract Manager, you will help protect contractual and commercial interests through disciplined contract administration and reporting.

You will interact with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance, manage variations, and support tender evaluations and contract

Qualifications

• Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a strong mindset of continuous improvement – someone who is naturally curious, committed to solving problems at the root, and driven to make things better every day.
• 5+ years of experience in contract administration, contract management, commercial management, claims management, or contract advisory roles supporting major capital projects.
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, transportation, industrial, marine, port, or energy projects within complex project delivery environments.
• Strong knowledge of contract administration, change management, claims processes, commercial reporting, payment administration, and contract governance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple contracts and stakeholder interfaces while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and document control discipline.
• Excellent communication, analytical problem-solving, planning, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced project environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, milestones, and deliverables.
• Maintain accurate contract records, correspondence, notices, registers, and administration systems to support audit readiness and governance requirements.
• Coordinate change management activities, including variations, compensation events, claims tracking, and contractual notice requirements.
• Support payment administration by reviewing contractor payment applications, maintaining contract value records, and assisting with forecasting activities.
• Prepare weekly and monthly commercial and contract performance reports to support project decision-making.
• Monitor contractual compliance, identify potential commercial risks, and support mitigation and audit activities.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support tender evaluations, contract awards, contract execution, and project delivery objectives.

Skills

Contract administration

Contract management

Commercial reporting

Change management

Stakeholder management

Analytical problem-solving

Job description

APM TerminalsWhere global trade meets innovation

Step into the engine room of global commerce. At APM Terminals Elizabeth, you’ll be at the center of one of the busiest port complexes in North America. Every container you touch keeps freight moving through the Port of New York C New Jersey, supporting critical supply chains across the East Coast and beyond.

This is a place where speed, scale, and precision come together. You’ll collaborate with high- performing teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where safety and operational excellence are the top priorities. Here, your impact is immediate—and global.

Why you’ll love it here

• Be part of a major gateway on the U.S. East Coast
• Experience high-volume, complex terminal operations
• Work with driven teams in a fast-moving environment
• Continuous improvement mindset – where curiosity is encouraged, root-cause problem solving is valued, and making things better every day is part of how we win

Appetizer

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a mindset of always improving — observing how work happens, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We constantly look for smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating. If you thrive in environments where people value learning and are committed to continuously improve daily operations, join us and be apart of our journey.

What We Can Offer

At APMT Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement is driven by Lean principles, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

• Work on a landmark capital infrastructure project that supports the growth and modernization of a major port operation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Procurement, Engineering, Construction, Finance, Legal, and Project Controls, gaining exposure to complex project delivery environments.

• Develop your commercial, contractual, and project management expertise through hands-on involvement across the full contract lifecycle.

• Benefit from a culture that values continuous learning, operational excellence, and professional growth while supporting a balanced and collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities

As a Contract Specialist, you will support the administration and management of consultancy, construction, equipment, technology, and service contracts throughout project execution. Working closely with the Contract Manager, you will help protect the project's contractual and commercial interests through disciplined contract administration, commercial reporting, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder coordination.

• Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, milestones, and deliverables.

• Maintain accurate contract records, correspondence, notices, registers, and administration systems to support audit readiness and governance requirements.

• Coordinate change management activities, including variations, compensation events, claims tracking, and contractual notice requirements.

• Support payment administration by reviewing contractor payment applications, maintaining contract value records, and assisting with forecasting activities.

• Prepare weekly and monthly commercial and contract performance reports to support project decision-making.

• Monitor contractual compliance, identify potential commercial risks, and support mitigation and audit activities.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support tender evaluations, contract awards, contract execution, and project delivery objectives.

What We Are Looking For

• Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a strong mindset of continuous improvement – someone who is naturally curious, committed to solving problems at the root, and driven to make things better every day

• 5+ years of experience in contract administration, contract management, commercial management, claims management, or contract advisory roles supporting major capital projects.

• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, transportation, industrial, marine, port, or energy projects within complex project delivery environments.

• Strong knowledge of contract administration, change management, claims processes, commercial reporting, payment administration, and contract governance practices.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple contracts and stakeholder interfaces while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and document control discipline.

• Excellent communication, analytical problem-solving, planning, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced project environment.

Salary: $108K - $115K
Location: Elizabeth, NJ / 5 days in office

Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

APM Terminals is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities who are applying for positions in the U.S. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.