Job Description

Job Purpose

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) is seeking an experienced Sr. Manager, Contracts & Customer Support for our Emerging Markets & Technology Segment. This role will be located at our Rochester, New Hampshire location. This individual will report directly to the Sr. Director, Contracts & Proposals. This individual will be responsible for overseeing a team of two contracts professionals, collectively working with them to manage all proposal and contract management duties for our Emerging Markets & Technology Segment.

This position requires a candidate who brings to the table the expertise to analyze, draft and negotiate strategic, long-term R&D agreements, as well as large dollar, long-term customer and partnership agreements, with a unique ability to understand and mitigate significant Intellectual Property and commercial risk factors. It also requires strong contracting experience from within a manufacturing environment, along with U.S. Defense industry experience and the ability to obtain a security clearance with the U.S. Government.

Job Responsibilities

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following values: Safety, Fact Based, Accountable, Respectful, Persistence and Ethical. Put Safety first at all times, never compromise on safety for the obtainment of other objectives. Responsible for health and safety of themselves and coworkers.

• Ensuring that safety is first at all times, never compromise on safety for the obtainment of other objectives. Responsible for health and safety of themselves and coworkers.
• Develops positive relationships with future and current external customers
• Builds strong relationships with internal customers
• Effectively team with key business leaders to achieve the goals and objectives of the business
• Streamlines contracts-related processes and procedures, determine departmental priorities and set direction for the future of the department in support of the business
• Directly manages personnel, makes staffing selections and assignments, and supervises work produced to ensure consistent high-quality performance
• Provides training and development for personnel assigned
• Serves as contractual expert to the business area managed.
• Drives cross-functional collaboration and learning in regard to Contracts Management.
• Represents the company in contractual communications with the customer, both written and oral.
• Analyzes and leads contract activities for complex proposals for U.S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts, identifying related business risks
• Reviews cost data and other detailed information to assure that bids are fully compliant to any applicable commercial or U.S. Government requirements.
• Ensures that any exceptions to customer’s requirements are clearly spelled out in all proposals.
• Assures that proposals clearly define the scope of work to be performed and are in compliance with any applicable U.S. Government or foreign laws/regulations and Albany policies.
• Coordinates proposal approvals with the appropriate management level.
• Provides follow-up support and participates with customers in proposal reviews. Assists Government/customer representatives in their fact-finding review and audit of the proposal supporting data.
• Provides guidance to management regarding proposed contract liability, terms and conditions and compatibility with established company practices.
• Leads company negotiation teams for large and complex proposals for U.S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts.
• Ensures that the contract document precisely reflects the terms of the negotiated agreement.
• Oversees administration of complex contractual activities in support of S. Government and commercial aerospace contracts.
• Issues authorizations of expenditure of funds for contracts or orders and changes thereto.
• Manages contract compliance activities throughout the life of the contract.
• Monitors funding and delivery status during term of agreement.
• Maintains contract value used in all quarterly financial reporting.
• Manages all change activity. Submits and negotiates all changes and claims with the customer.
• Initiates necessary actions to expedite customer acceptance and payment.
• Advises management of possible problems and notifies customer after coordinating with appropriate departments.
• Administers contract closure by coordinating with operating departments to assure proper disposition of Government or customer property and informs management of any potential liabilities.
• Maintains official records file as required by company policy, contract terms, FAR and other Government regulations or law.
• Drafts and negotiates various types of agreements, such as technical collaboration agreements, teaming agreements, consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, proposals, purchase orders, contracts and subcontracts.
• Coordinates effectively with Legal and other functions as required.
• Assures the Company Intellectual Property and proprietary rights in data are protected.
• Provides and/or obtains legal advice regarding contracts as required.
• Performs other associated departmental duties as assigned, including but not limited to departmental policy development, department representation on committees, recommendations for improvement and contractual presentations.

Supervisory responsibility Yes

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing their work group including but not limited to: formal evaluations/performance management as set out by the organization, recruitment and developing

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field is required. MBA, JD and/or CPCM preferred.
• 7+ years relevant work experience including a minimum of 5 years in large dollar contract management is required.
• Defense industry experience and manufacturing experience are required.
• Interest and aptitude to manage a small team of direct reports is required. Past experience directly/indirectly managing direct or project reports is a plus.
• Ability to obtain a Security Clearance is required.
• Experience understanding Intellectual Property and other key terms and conditions in order to analyze, draft and negotiate long term R&D and commercial agreements is required.
• Excellent leadership and teambuilding skills with solid business astuteness.
• Experience advising and communicating with senior management.
• Sound knowledge of commercial and U.S. Government contracting principles and regulations.
• Thorough understanding of complex contractual terms and conditions.
• Extensive negotiations experience.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Practiced oral and written communication skills.
• Proven capability to develop new and creative approaches in negotiating and managing contracts.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50% (domestic and international).

Working Conditions

Office environment, duties performed indoors, moderate to quiet noise and comfortable temperatures. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental condition levels. Ability to work 24/7 schedule and be available as business situations require. Some may be able to do part of their work remotely. Travel may be required up to 25%.

Physical requirements

Occasionally positions self to move an office item >10 lbs.

Frequently move about the production floor and office area to attend meetings or trainings

Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 75% of the time

Frequently operates a computer, enters data into systems, verifies information, etc…