Contracts Manager - South Windsor, CT

JOB TITLE: Contracts Manager

LOCATION: Capewell Aerial Systems - South Windsor, CT

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff

POSITION SUMMARY: The Contracts Manager is responsible for the administration of all aspects of Contract Management to ensure legal, regulatory, and ethical compliance while ensuring the interests of the Company are maintained. Within the aerospace and defense environment where Capewell operates, the Contracts Manager will also be responsible for export compliance, negotiation, and document review while leveraging partnered legal resources. This position will also assist in the preparation of proposals for new business opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage Contract full life cycle: Full contract review including the identification of flow downs, Planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract, contract assembly, review legal terms & conditions to ensure compliance, submittal, and tracking through all phases of completion.
• Work with Management leaders on the negotiation of contracts to assure that the company gets the most favorable contract, schedule, and price terms possible.
• Monitor contract performance to ensure that all activity remains within the scope of the contract and identify opportunities for contract changes to Management.
• Collaborate cross functionally inside and outside Capewell (DLA, DCMA, ADEST, etc.) to manage and report on contract status, submissions, deliverables dates, and address potential issues.
• Act as point of contact to external government contracting officers, prime contractors, and subcontractors.
• Assist the Legal department in coordinating and reviewing contractual agreements. Coordinate input from internal stakeholders on business terms.
• Coordinate with the finance and estimating functions to ensure compliance with contract-specific cost accounting requirements, A/P and A/R.
• Responsible for coordination and maintenance of entity registrations in System for Award Management (SAM) and Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS).
• Support and participate in DLA, DCMA and DCAA audits as required, with support from other internal functions.
• Interpret and apply current Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR) Supplement, Agency directives, and local agency purchasing regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ensure company compliance with import/export requirements of goods and services under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Customs regulations, and other trade regulations, while leveraging available legal resources.
• Maintain electronic and hardcopy contract record-keeping systems compliant with internal procedures, customer requirements, and government regulations and law.
• Review business documents (examples: Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA's), Teaming Agreements, Distributor Agreements, License Agreements, Letters of Credit, etc.) and make recommendations to Management.
• Develop procedures and processes for daily search of all government and worldwide websites for potential RFQ's, IFB's and RFP's, with a special emphasis on the company's small business status for developmental and manufacturing opportunities.
• Participation in the preparation and review of proposals to ensure that all contract terms are known and understood and to advise management of potential problems related to the performance of the proposed contract requirements.
• Maintain a safe and clean work area.
• Work cooperatively with other employees to meet department and company goals.
• This position requires personal protective equipment on the shop floor where safety glasses and composite toe safety shoes are required by all.

OTHER DUTIES: Perform additional duties as directed by supervisors or management to support departmental and organizational objectives.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field required. Significant related experience may replace the education requirement.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment (aerospace preferred) or contracting work supporting the aerospace manufacturing industry.
• At least 5 years of experience in government contracting, with detailed working knowledge of FAR, DFAR, SAM, DIBBS, PIEE, DLA, DCMA, DCAA, TINA proposals, etc.
• Detailed working knowledge of U.S. Government aerospace and defense industry contractual and purchasing procedures.
• Experience with ITAR and U.S. Government export control procedures.
• Previous experience in negotiating contract terms.
• Ability to read, understand, and write contracts, agreements, and related business documents.
• Must possess great initiative yet be able to function well as part of a fast-paced, dynamic team.
• Computer and software proficiency (ERP/MRP, CRM, and Microsoft Office Suite).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to fully leverage available internal and external resources in the performance of position responsibilities; highly collaborative skill set is required.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Team Members in this position must be a U.S. Person, as defined by U.S. export control laws.
• Team Members are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• An individual with a disability will be considered qualified for any position that the person can perform the essential function of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. All essential functions incorporated in this description may be subject to reasonable accommodation.
• EOE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or protected veteran status.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position operates in a typical office environment and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position will work primarily in an office environment with a low noise level but may occasionally have exposure to the production floor with moderate to excessive noise.
• This is a full-time, onsite position.
• The work schedule for this position is Monday through Thursday 7:30AM - 5:00PM and every other Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM with a 30-minute lunch break.

This position/job description is for reference and guidance only and is subject to change at any time.

COMPENSATION: The hiring range for this position is $80,000 - $105,000. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. Capewell offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, health savings, flexible spending, and 401 (k) matching.