Capital Projects Contract and Claims Manager

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2024 revenue of approximately $9.4 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit

The Role

As Capital Projects Contract and Claims Manager, you'll be at the forefront of managing substantial $1 billion capital projects, including those pivotal to our Circular Economy Growth Platform. Situated in Kingsport, Tennessee, and reporting to the Director of Mega Projects Capital Procurement, your expertise will guide the seamless integration of contracts and claims management, focusing on efficient logistics and compliance. Your strategic insight will drive the commercial execution of projects, optimizing processes and fostering collaboration across diverse teams. With a robust background in managing complex projects, you'll thrive in our dynamic, fast-paced environment, ensuring our ambitious goals are met with precision and agility.

Responsibilities

Work with legal, procurement, project management, operations and engineering to maintain existing contracts and enter into new contracts

Manage relationships with Capex suppliers, fabricators, and vendors within the downstream chemicals market.

Oversee project logistics, coordinating with providers such as freight forwarders, break bulk shipping vessels, and heavy haul transportation for over-dimensional cargo.

Ensure compliance with trade regulations, including export and import requirements, particularly from India and China.

Define terms and conditions and ensure that technical scope is contractually embedded to secure risk- and cost-efficiency.

Lead the commercial execution of contracts, including approving payments, allocating and reporting cost, support the Commercial Managers for the budget planning.

Develop, negotiate and execute variations and amendments, including defining related scope and conditions, negotiating cost.

Execute claim management, including defect notification processes, claims preparation, claims coordination in collaboration with the legal department.

Create and maintain overview of contracts and main commercial contractual parameters (, securities, liabilities, etc.) together with the legal team.

Support commercial teams in the optimization of contracts, risks, costs and processes.

Identify risk and opportunities arising out of contracts and pro-actively address them to the risk and opportunity management process.

Ensure strong communication with the cross functional partners and project team.

Collect and spread lessons in capital project supply chain, contracts, and logistics learned across the company.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Law, or a related field.
• Possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in contract and claim management for large capital projects, including roles as EPC / Turnkey Contractor or PMC / Owner, covering stages from project inception to operations.
• Demonstrate strong negotiation and management skills.
• Have experience in EPC projects across a variety of contracts.
• Capable of identifying issues and seeking assistance when necessary.
• Exhibit the ability to work proactively and independently.
• Function as a team player and maintain strong communication with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Experienced in adapting to a hybrid working environment, effectively building and maintaining relationships both virtually and in person.
• Flexibility to accommodate the project work schedule as required.

Who you are

Methodical and organized : You can effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a pressured situation and are known to create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.

Strong communicator : Your spoken and written communication is excellent, and you can influence your internal and external stakeholders coming from varied cultural backgrounds.

Proactive problem solver : You have the ability to anticipate and prevent problems and roadblocks before they occur; effectively working with team members and management to resolve complex problems.

Flexible : You are agile in your approach and in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. You recognize the simultaneous need for rigorous adherence to the process and the flexibility to adapt to inevitable changes along the

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.