WL - Contracts Specialist

Fairbanks Morse Defense•Thomaston, CT

2d•$51,000 - $69,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Contract Specialist will assist in managing the entire lifecycle of business agreements, from initial drafting and negotiation to execution and compliance. They act as a liaison between internal and external customers, analyzing risks and ensuring all terms protect the company's interests and meet legal regulations along with supporting financial goals and obligations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
1–3 years of experience in contracts, procurement, supply chain, project administration, or a related business/technical field; highly motivated entry-level candidates with strong aptitude and eagerness to learn will be considered.
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to learn ERP, CRM, and contract management systems.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear business correspondence and contract language.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including maintaining contract files, trackers, and document repositories.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting pre- and post-award administration of purchase orders or contracts (e.g., fixed-price, time-and-materials, or cost-type).
Exposure to government or defense contracting (FAR/DFARS) and/or commercial contracting best practices.
Experience with ERP, MRP, or contract lifecycle management tools.
Prior involvement in proposal support, RFQ/RFP responses, or customer-facing contract discussions.

Responsibilities

Act as a liaison between Legal and customers on terms and conditions, maintaining a repository of negotiated contract language for quick reference and reuse.
Build and maintain trackers for contractual deliverables (e.g., CDRL/SDRL-type schedules) and coordinate preparation and submission of required documentation.
Establish and maintain repositories for supplier quality and contract-related documents, including review history and approvals, to ensure traceability and compliance.
Coordinate the preparation and submission of annual and recurring documentation required by customers (e.g., certifications, reports, compliance documents).
Coordinate Small Business Plan–type documentation and similar customer-required plans in accordance with internal and external requirements.
Support proposal preparation activities, including drafting company overviews, basic technical and management write-ups, and other non-cost sections as needed.
Establish trackers for manpower needs tied to proposals and contracts and collaborate with functional leaders to assess potential overtime and hiring requirements.
Monitor smaller, less complex orders to provide status to customers, and coordinate with Planning, Operations, and other functions when issues arise.
Coordinate receipt and distribution of RFQs, including management of customer portal access and documentation.
Support project schedule management and participate in cross-functional meetings to identify and resolve contract- and schedule-related issues.
Identify and implement improvements to contract-related processes, tools, and methods to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and support business objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned by Management.