Senior Contracts Administrator(Aerospace/Defense)

Senior Contracts Administrator

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Position Type: Contract Administration
Industry: Aerospace / Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Administrator to manage contracts of moderate scope and complexity, ensuring fulfillment of contractual obligations, compliance with applicable regulations, and effective customer relationships.

This position is responsible for administering contracts, evaluating contractual requirements, developing and submitting proposals, negotiating pricing and terms, monitoring contract performance, and resolving contract-related issues.

The Senior Contracts Administrator will also support order management, customer purchase order reviews, contract analysis, demand planning, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in contract administration, proposal development, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance within an aerospace, manufacturing, or similarly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration & Management

• Administer specialized and major contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, company policies, and applicable regulations.

• Review and analyze customer purchase orders, Basic Contract Agreements, and Long-Term Agreements.

• Evaluate contract requirements, including delivery schedules, pricing, terms and conditions, and performance obligations.

• Monitor contract performance and identify potential risks, compliance issues, or required amendments.

• Determine when customer-directed changes fall outside the original contractual scope.

• Coordinate contract amendments, extensions, and modifications as necessary.

• Maintain accurate contract documentation and ensure compliance with established administrative procedures.

Proposal Development & Bid Management

• Determine customer contractual requirements for new products, engineering designs, system hardware, and specialized assignments.

• Develop technically and commercially compliant proposal packages for major customers.

• Coordinate the bid process by identifying requirements and gathering input from internal departments.

• Prepare responses to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) of varying complexity.

• Review material requirements, testing specifications, delivery schedules, and estimated costs.

• Evaluate material, equipment, and labor-hour estimates to support proposal development.

• Prepare, review, and submit complex proposals in accordance with customer and contractual requirements.

Contract Negotiations & Compliance

• Negotiate contract pricing, terms and conditions, delivery schedules, and other commercial requirements.

• Ensure negotiated agreements comply with legal requirements, company policies, and applicable regulations.

• Review contract provisions to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with organizational objectives.

• Identify contractual risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and aerospace industry regulations.

• Support compliance with government contracting requirements, when applicable.

• May assist with export compliance administration and training to ensure company data and intellectual property meet regulatory requirements.

Order Management & Customer Support

• Support order management activities, including limited order entry and order modifications.

• Review and analyze customer purchase orders and contractual documentation.

• Coordinate schedule changes and maintain customer portal information.

• Develop and maintain demand plans supporting Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).

• Communicate with customers regarding order status, delivery requirements, and contract-related inquiries.

• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure customer requirements are understood and fulfilled.

Contract Performance & Issue Resolution

• Monitor contractual performance against established delivery schedules, pricing agreements, and performance requirements.

• Investigate and resolve customer claims, complaints, and contractual disputes.

• Collect and analyze relevant information to determine appropriate resolutions.

• Collaborate with engineering, quality, operations, and other departments to resolve technical or commercial issues.

• Evaluate proposed changes to methods, materials, and contractual requirements.

• Analyze business data and recommend improvements to contract administration processes.

Customer Relations & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers regarding assigned contracts.

• Participate in customer meetings, presentations, and contract discussions.

• Respond to complex customer inquiries and regulatory requests.

• Communicate contract requirements and updates to internal stakeholders and management.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to support contract execution and customer satisfaction.

• Provide guidance and specialized knowledge to other contract administrators and business team members.

• Train and mentor less experienced employees, as needed.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related discipline.

• Typically requires 6+ years of progressive experience in contract administration, contract management, or a related function.

• Thorough understanding of contract administration principles, industry practices, policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Experience managing contracts of moderate to high complexity.

• Demonstrated experience with contract negotiations, proposal development, and customer contract management.