Contract Manager

Lonza US•Bend, OR

About The Position

As a member of the Global Capital Sourcing team, the Contracts & Claims Manager is responsible for commercial management of a variety of projects within large and medium greenfield or brownfield CAPEX schemes, with project spend of at least USD 5 million. The role protects contractual rights and entitlements, ensures contractor and company obligations are fulfilled, optimizes value for money and total cost of ownership, reduces contract risks, and supports on-time, quality, in-cost project delivery for growth investments. It mitigates risks arising from contract creation and execution and identifies cost-benefit solutions to complex contractual matters, including negotiating with external stakeholders and consultants and supporting delivery and closeout of negotiations. The role contributes to project procurement execution strategy and manages contracts after tender award. It supports risk mitigation and contracting strategies, contract review and negotiation, cost control implementation, contract execution, changes and extensions, delay and conflict management, guarantees and warranties, and preparation for potential litigation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution. It also oversees claim management, supplier relationships and performance, and communication with internal stakeholders across project management, procurement, SGIE, legal, and finance.

Requirements

Higher commercial education equivalent to a bachelor's degree (BSc/BA) or equivalent; a master's degree (MSc/MBA) is preferred.
Good, thorough technical understanding and knowledge.
Business and financial acumen.
Expertise in contracting strategy and execution, strategic sourcing, and procurement/sourcing for large CAPEX projects.
Strong understanding of construction technology, sequencing, and practices.
Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills.
Demonstrated project management skills.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing sourcing strategies that yielded measurable business results.
Ability to work cross-functionally in project work and project management.
Experience overseeing, sourcing from, or working for EPCMV contractors.
Skills across procurement processes, including commodity management, supplier management, negotiations, contract management, and e-procurement systems.
Research, analysis, and summary recommendation skills.
Strong negotiating and influencing skills at an international level.
Experience managing global internal and external relationships.
Experience with international commercial contracts and agreements.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build business relationships and work in a multifunctional team.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (MSc/MBA) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Support definition of the risk mitigation plan and participate in development of contracting strategies.
Involve the Cost Control Group and ensure implementation of cost-control systems, including progress measurement, remeasurement, bank guarantees, additional items, claims, cash flow, and back-charges.
Analyze contract conditions and assist project management with preparation and execution of contracts.
Participate in review of new tenders and contracts with strategic suppliers.
Support negotiation of major contracts and subcontracts and own final review and document preparation with strategic suppliers.
Ensure relevant Procurement and SGIE processes and standards are followed.
Lead execution of contracts to secure contractual rights and entitlements.
Periodically report contracting plan status and variations to Project and Procurement teams.
Manage the contracting plan during project execution, commissioning, and evaluation, including contractor costs in cooperation with Cost Control.
Prepare summaries of key contractual points, deviations from norms, and identified risks or concerns for Lonza.
Negotiate and agree contract extensions and change requests.
Coordinate change orders, delay management, conflict management, and preparation for potential litigation, arbitration, or ADR, including documentation and timely responses to contractors.
Monitor and safeguard legal rights under contract provisions.
Manage project asset warranties and performance guarantees.
Ensure requirements for contract review are met and coordinate legal counsel involvement as required.
Support arbitration and alternative dispute resolution procedures.
Oversee, manage, direct, and support project commercial teams to optimize project returns.
Identify opportunities for outgoing claims; develop claim strategies; support or prepare notifications and correspondence; and negotiate and settle claims.
Analyze incoming claims; develop defense strategies; support or prepare responses and correspondence; and negotiate and settle claims.
Collect and register claim-related documentation in the company claim repository.
Manage supplier escalations and claims, and develop supplier relationships according to supplier segment expectations.
Support supplier relationship management and reliable, high-quality supply.
Support supplier performance, compliance, and accountability through supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
Participate in periodic commercial audits of main contractors.
Identify and engage internal stakeholders, including Project Management, Global SGIE, Global Procurement, and Corporate Functions, mainly Legal and Finance.
Clarify stakeholder requirements and drive proactive communications.
Perform other duties as assigned.