Contracts and Proposals Manager

Job Title: Contracts & Proposals Manager, US

Location: Salem, NH

Purpose of Position:

This role is an integral part of Team Wendy Ceradyne's (TWC) legal and contractual support for our business development efforts, with a particular focus on our contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD). This role will also support Team Wendy (DoD non-Contract) Customer Service, Sourcing, and Future/Engineering teams with contract or subcontract development or review as needed. The Contracts & Proposals (C&P) Manager is responsible for working with program managers in managing all US military contracts and any other significant contracts or agreements requiring additional contractual oversight. They will be the primary administrative point of contact for all contracts under their responsibility. The C&P Manager will need to be knowledgeable about the details and benefits of contracts types and terms, as well as potential disadvantages, and will be responsible for proactively managing and negotiating contracts for the benefit of TWC, Team Wendy, and their customers. They will negotiate, analyze and prepare contracts for the sale, purchase, or distribution of products and services as requested by the internal business development customers. They will support the development and submission of compliant and accurate proposals and will be responsible for coordinating all RFP/contract reviews before and after award. Additionally, the C&P Manager ensures that we honor our agreements and contracts requirements by providing general compliance oversight and collaborating with program and project managers to oversee contract performance. They’re involved in every aspect of contract administration including managing, negotiating, supporting and executing contracts. Additionally, they will provide initial drafting of nondisclosure, teaming, subcontract, distribution, and other agreements and supporting negotiating terms as appropriate.

The C&P Manager will also provide backup for the US trade compliance program. They will support the Trade Compliance Administrator to

ensure compliance with domestic and international shipping requirements, custom regulations and US import and export laws and regulatory requirements. The C&P manager will be a backup for Avon's trade compliance administrator(s) by being available to provide advice on and execute the filing of license applications and licensed shipments coordinating with customer service and logistics when the administrators are not available (e.g., vacation).

While formally a TWC role, the C&P Manager will support and assist the General Counsel with routine legal administrative assistance matters.

Essential duties and/or Functions: (Essential Functions/basic job duties that must be able to be performed with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Writing, evaluating, negotiating and executing various contracts and subcontracts covering a range of transactions, including all types of DoD and federal contracts, state and local procurements, and commercial and government funded R&D programs

• Communicating and presenting information to stakeholders regarding contract performance of government contracts, contract law, risks, and compliance issues

• Strong capability to assess terms and conductions to protect business interests including production liability and warranty and protection of company's intellectual property

• Utilize strong commercial skills with the ability to balance legal requirements with commercial priorities

• Proactively initiate, as needed, and negotiate claims, manage contractual changes and resolve disputes or conflict resolution with customers and subcontractors

• Collaborate with the Program Manager on RFP/RFQ response and proposal preparations, and lead associated customer communications, assigned proposal volumes, and contract reviews.

• Creating and maintaining relationships with customers and key business partners and an understanding of our related industries

• Maintaining contractual records including correspondence, negotiation notes, and other documentation related to contracts

• Monitoring contracts and moving forward with close-out, extension or renewal of contracts

• Problem-solving contract-related issues and work with team members, particularly the Program Managers to ensure contract compliance

• Prepare monthly reports and make presentations at meetings

• Support audits and monitor, prepare and submit assigned compliance registrations and reports (e.g. SAM, CPARS, etc.)

• Responsible for and adherence to procurement department operating procedures and government regulations under the FARs and DFARs, as well as state and local procurement regulations

• Support the US and UK trade compliance teams as needed with specific requirement to provide backup to the US trade compliance administrator.

• Prepare reports and make presentations to stakeholders

• Responsible for and adherence to functional operating procedures and applicable regulations

• Ensure compliance with the company's work health and safety policies, standards and procedures

Required Minimum Qualifications: (Minimum/Basic level of qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of the position, i.e. education,

licensure or any measurable and job-related experience):

• Superior reading, writing, and presentation skills: must have a mastery of language. Great spelling, punctuation and grammar count, as well as the ability to write succinctly, persuasively and boil complex ideas down into simple explanations

• Effective communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills including passing on knowledge and understanding in 1-on-1 and training situations

• Exceptional attention to detail, and talent for accuracy and precision

• Critical thinking skills and the ability to research, analyze, and interpret contracts for legal and financial implications

• Deep understanding of contracts, contract governance, contractual language and the contract lifecycle

• Demonstrated high levels of integrity and accountability

• Time Management: Customer requirements and responses are often on a deadline. Being able to respond with time in mind is key

• Project organization and ability to multi-task since multiple efforts may be worked at the same time. Staying organized is essential

• Demonstrated ability to apply arithmetic concepts such as fractions, ratios and proportions to real scenarios

• High commercial acumen and a record of confidence dealing with middle managers through to decision makers

• A pro-active self-starter who can operate both individually and as part of a team

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, independent when appropriate

• Customer focused for both internal department needs and external customer/market awareness

• Experience using scheduling and software programs with Microsoft Office365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.

Preferred/Desired Skills or Experiences: (Characteristics/Skills/Experiences that are not required but are preferred):

• A bachelor’s degree is required.

• Certification by the the National Contract Management Association is desired.

• 5+ years previous relevant experience within a Military, Federal or First Responder focused company is preferred

• Knowledge and experience of working on government and military proposals and resulting for US and ROW customers, demonstrating a sound knowledge of general RFP requirements and proposal expectations for DoD required, but with other major military organizations as well preferred

Internal Relationships:

All departments particularly business development, sales, program management, proposal support, sourcing, R&D/futures, and senior management

External Relationships:

Government and commercial customers, suppliers and subcontractors, business partners, and regulatory agencies

Required Training:

Candidate or position holder is expected to have the skills and prior knowledge to perform the essential duties. Training would then focus on company specific products, customers, standard agreements, policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct, approval thresholds, Contract Review, etc.