Contracts Administrator

Position Summary

The Sr. Contract Administrator is responsible for administering assigned contracts of moderate scope and complexity to ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations and compliance with customer requirements. This role supports proposal development, contract negotiations, pricing, terms and conditions management, contract performance monitoring, and order management activities.

The position also supports customer communications, demand planning, sales and operations planning (S&OP), portal management, purchase order review, and contract analysis. The ideal candidate will have experience managing commercial and/or government contracts, developing proposals, negotiating contract terms, and supporting aerospace or manufacturing environments.

Reporting Structure

• Individual Contributor Role
• Reports to a Contract Manager or Contract Lead
• No Direct Reports
• Regular interaction with internal stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and customers

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration

• Administer specialized and major contracts by analyzing customer purchase orders, Basic Contract Agreements, and Long-Term Agreements.
• Review contract requirements including pricing, delivery schedules, terms and conditions, and performance obligations.
• Monitor contract compliance and ensure contractual commitments are fulfilled.
• Determine when customer-directed changes fall outside contract scope and support contract modifications as needed.

Proposal Development & Bid Management

• Develop technically and commercially compliant proposal packages for customers.
• Evaluate performance requirements, delivery schedules, labor estimates, material costs, and equipment requirements.
• Coordinate proposal inputs from engineering, operations, finance, and other functional teams.
• Prepare responses to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and other customer solicitations.
• Submit complex proposals in accordance with customer and company requirements.

Contract Negotiation

• Negotiate pricing, terms and conditions, delivery schedules, and other business provisions.
• Ensure contract language aligns with company policies and legal requirements.
• Support resolution of contractual issues and customer concerns.

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary customer contact for assigned contracts.
• Participate in customer meetings and presentations.
• Communicate contract status, requirements, and changes to internal and external stakeholders.

Claims & Issue Resolution

• Investigate and resolve customer claims, complaints, and contract-related issues.
• Gather and analyze information to determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Coordinate with technical, quality, engineering, and business teams as needed.

Order Management & Planning

• Support order entry activities and schedule management.
• Manage customer portals and communications.
• Review and analyze customer purchase orders and contracts.
• Develop demand plans as part of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.

Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and aerospace industry regulations.
• Support export compliance administration and training activities when applicable.
• Protect company data and intellectual property in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze contract data and business information to identify trends and recommend actions.
• Evaluate proposed process, material, or methodology changes.
• Support operational improvements and contract administration best practices.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide guidance and support to less experienced team members.
• Share specialized contract knowledge and best practices.
• Act as a primary contact on high-level projects and assignments.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field required.
• Contract Management certification preferred:
  • NCMA (National Contract Management Association)
  • IACCM (International Association of Commercial Contract Management)
• Certification requirement may be waived for candidates holding a JD or MBA.

Experience

• 2–5 years of progressive contract administration experience.
• Experience managing commercial and/or government contracts.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, and administering contract terms and conditions.
• Proposal development and RFP response experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of contract administration principles, regulations, and industry practices.
• Knowledge of government contracting regulations, when applicable.
• Understanding of legal and regulatory requirements related to contracts.
• Knowledge of export control regulations preferred.
• Ability to analyze and interpret contracts, policies, and procedures.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present information effectively to customers, management, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong customer relationship management skills.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard business software.
• Experience with ERP systems, customer portals, and contract management tools preferred.
• Ability to work with specialized internal and customer systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCMA, IACCM, or similar contract management certification.
• Export Compliance Training Institute (ECTI) training or certification.
• Aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or government contracting experience.
• Experience supporting Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.