Job Description

The Contract Manager is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of supplier contracts - from negotiation and execution through to performance monitoring, compliance, and renewal. The role ensures that contractual agreements support the company's strategic objectives while protecting its commercial, legal, and operational interests.
As the primary point of contact for supplier-facing contractual matters, the Contract Manager works closely with the Supply Chain team and partners extensively with the Legal function to ensure contracts are clear, enforceable, and effectively managed. The role requires strong commercial acumen, legal awareness, and problem-solving skills to mitigate risks, resolve disputes, and maximise value.
This position is ideally suited for a detail-oriented, commercially minded professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to strengthening contractual governance, building robust supplier relationships, and supporting long-term business resilience.
Key Accountabilities
1. Contract Lifecycle Management

• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, execution, and administration of supplier contracts and T&C's across all phases of the lifecycle.
• Ensure that contracts and T&C's are clear, enforceable, and aligned with company policies, compliance requirements, and strategic objectives.
• Maintain accurate records of contract documents, amendments, and correspondence to support governance and audit readiness.
• Proactively manage contract renewals, expirations, and terminations to avoid commercial or operational risk.

2. Supplier Contract Governance

• Act as the primary point of contact for supplier-facing contractual matters within Supply Chain Management.
• Ensure suppliers understand and adhere to contractual obligations, including delivery, quality, compliance, and performance commitments.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance against contractual terms, escalating issues where required.
• Support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities by ensuring contractual frameworks underpin effective performance monitoring and collaboration.

3. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Legal team to ensure contracts are compliant with applicable law and company risk management standards.
• Work with Supply Chain colleagues, Program teams, Finance, and Engineering to ensure contract terms and/or T&C's reflect business needs and deliver operational value.
• Provide contract-related guidance, training, and support to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Act as a trusted advisor, helping stakeholders balance risk, cost, and operational priorities through effective contractual solutions.

4. Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial, operational, and legal risks within supplier contracts and T&C's.
• Ensure adherence to Export Control, ITAR/EAR, anti-bribery, data protection, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Support audits, compliance checks, and reporting requirements related to supplier contracts and T&C's.
• Develop and maintain risk registers and ensure high-risk suppliers are subject to enhanced monitoring and controls.

5. Continuous Improvement and Reporting

• Contribute to the development of standardised contract templates, playbooks, and best practices for the SCM function.
• Drive process efficiency and governance improvements in contract management activities and provide training and support where required.
• Provide regular updates and reporting to SCM leadership on contract status, supplier compliance, risks, and opportunities.
• Support strategic initiatives (e.g., in-country value, localisation, or supplier development programmes) through contract design and execution.

Experience / Knowledge / Qualification
Qualifications:
Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Business, Supply Chain or related field.
• Professional contract management qualification (e.g. WorldCC/IACCM Contract & Commercial Management, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) with contract modules, or similar recognised UK/International certification).
• Strong grounding in contract law, with knowledge of English law and international contracting standards
• Minimum of 5-8 years' experience in contract negotiation and management within a complex organisation.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law (LLB/LLM) with focus on commercial/contracts.
• Legal practice background with exposure to drafting and reviewing supplier-facing contracts.
• Advanced certifications in commercial/contract law (e.g. UK PGCert in Commercial & Contract Law, Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx), or similar).

Knowledge

• 7+ years' experience in contract management, with a strong focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and terms & conditions in a supply chain/procurement, supplier-facing environment.
• Proven ability to manage the full contract lifecycle, from negotiation and execution through to performance management, compliance, and renewal/close-out.
• Strong understanding of commercial and legal principles, including risk allocation, indemnities, warranties, liability, and remedies.
• Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation with suppliers, securing favourable commercial and operational outcomes.
• Familiarity with working in complex, regulated industries (Defence, Aerospace, Engineering, or similar).
• Knowledge of export control regulations, compliance requirements, and governance frameworks is highly desirable.
• Experience collaborating with Legal teams and other internal stakeholders to resolve contractual issues and ensure alignment with company policy.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and contract management tools (e.g. SAP Ariba).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear and enforceable contractual language.
• Experience in fast-paced or start-up environments desirable, with the ability to establish structure and governance where required.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Information

• The role may also require National and International travel where directed by the leadership team or governed by operational demands.
• Friday, working from home (WFH).

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Employment Type: Full-time
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Skills Required