Contracts Administrator, Government

Coherent Corp. is looking for a Principal Contracts Administrator to join its Global Legal Department and manage the contracting workflow of its Aerospace & Defense Division located in East Granby. This is an on-site position with opportunity for hybrid-work for the best candidate. 

Primary responsibilities include contract proposal preparation, contract negotiations, contract administration, and customer contract activities to manage assigned contracts in accordance with company policies, legal requirements, and customer specifications. As the primary interface with the customer Contracts Officer, the Principal Contracts Administrator will ensure that contractual obligations are communicated and understood, ensure fulfillment of contract requirements, manage contract changes, be proactive in administering each contract, and maintain historical information.

This role is successful through proactive collaboration with the business unit management staff, corporate finance, supply chain, and other cross functional teams. As many of our applications serve the aerospace and defense markets, the ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in the regulatory nuances of working with U.S. Government prime contractors and Contracting Officers.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Review and process complete sales packages, including review of all required documents, requests for quotations, statements of work, sales contracts, purchase orders, tax status forms, reps and certs, and other supporting documents. 
• Ensure contract compliance for all business pursuits (including but not limited to: ISO9001:2015, AS9100D, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations, and other regulatory requirements).
• Manage the formal contractual customer interface for all customer requests. Propose and coordinate customer facing project-based messaging in coordination with the Project Manager or Opportunity Owner and act as an advocate for the business in contractual negotiations. 
• Develop, implement, maintain, and/or optimize business processes as needed to manage the complete contracting life cycle for external customer sales contracts. 
• Conduct reviews with corporate finance, legal, quality, EH&S, and other representatives when required to minimize the time from order receipt to submission of the booking package to order administration. 
• Develop expertise on Coherent’s Aerospace & Defense Division contractual requirements/contract types, with advanced knowledge of FAR/DFARS requirements and assist or lead in customer contract and price negotiations. 
• Maintain awareness of changes to FAR, DFARS, ITAR, EAR and other applicable government regulations associated with contractual requirements and export controls.
• Define, develop, and implement policies and procedures that enable adequate contract controls and services, including contract records management and reporting. 
• Refer sensitive matters for executive decision-making and use discretion in keeping management informed on a timely basis of key issues impacting business operations.

Education & Experience

• Must be able to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance, active Security Clearance is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in related field such as Business, Finance, or Accounting.  Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience required.
• Experience with U.S. Government contracting.
• CFCM is a plus.
• Experience with U.S. Government close out requirements and requirements concerning the possession and disposition of government property.
• Experience negotiating prime contracts and subcontracts with U.S. Government end users, including experience with a variety of contract types (e.g. firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable, time-and-materials, fixed-price incentive fee, etc.). 
  • Reviewing terms and conditions to address provisions and risks of financial terms, acceptance criteria, delivery requirements, warranty, intellectual property, termination provisions, indemnification, and all other potential risk areas and recommending risk mitigation strategies.
  • Review and process complete sales packages, including review of all required documents, requests for quotations, statements of work, sales contracts, purchase orders, tax status forms, reps and certs, and other supporting documents. 
  • Conduct reviews with corporate finance, legal, quality, EH&S, and other representatives when required to minimize the time from order receipt to submission of the booking package to order administration. 

Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong knowledge of commercial contract law, U.S. Government contracting, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other regulations relevant to transacting with the USG and its prime contractors. 
• Demonstrated aptitude for generating positive business outcomes relating to the sales contracting process, including excellent verbal written communications with both internal and external personnel. 
• Able to coordinate customer facing project-based messaging in coordination with the Project Manager or Opportunity Owner and act as an advocate for the business 
• Excellent communication skills and solid presentation skills are required. 
• Capable of developing and maintaining business processes for contract lifecycle management for external customer and supplier contracts. 
• Must be a motivated leader that is able to help others solve complex issues through motivation, mediation and negotiation. 
• Must have an unassailable commitment to personal and business integrity and ethics, exquisite attention to detail, and the abilities to prioritize and multi-task. 
• Proficiency in MS office, excel, and other modern information technology applications is required. 

Working Conditions

• Ability to work full-time during core business hours in an in-office setting at a Coherent site, however, hybrid work arrangements may be considered.
• Ability to work extended hours (early morning, evening, or weekend), when necessary

Ability to travel 5% domestically.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."