Commercial & Contracts Officer in Portsmouth

Are you an experienced Commercial & Contracts Officer looking for a role where you can make a real difference? As a Commercial & Contracts Officer, you will support ongoing projects and ensure that delivery teams have the commercial support needed to manage risks as projects mature. The role will also involve customer-fronting activities and will support other areas of the business as required, working closely with Project Managers and the In-Service Support Team to drive obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all Agreements e.g. Non-Disclosure, Sales/Purchasing, Consulting, Licensing, Master, Sub-contracts and other similar forms of legal agreements are drafted, negotiated and agreed in accordance with CMS2 requirements and processes and follow the CMS2 approval process.
• Provide contract management expertise to the Project Management, In-Service Support and Engineering teams.
• Develop and implement procedures for contract management and administration in compliance with company policy.
• Support contract handover from the Sales team including preparation of contract summary documentation and obligation tracking tools.
• Providing commercial guidance to the delivery team at meetings making them aware of obligations.
• Ensure all new contracts are logged onto the company databases, ensuring CMS2 are regularly advised of contract awards.
• Provide reporting and support to the Head of Commercial.
• Serve as the point of contact for customers on contractual matters.
• Act as “middleman” between employees and customers, ensuring timely review and approval/reconciliation of variations.
• Hold regular commercial reviews and provide guidance on contract matters to Project management teams ensuring Project Managers and operational staff are aware of the commercial implications of contract matters.
• Ensure the Head of Commercial is aware of all commercial risks and report the status of any ongoing action plans.
• Maintain contractual records and documentation of all contract correspondence.
• Provide support to the bid process, including end to end review of all proposals to ensure risks are identified, understood and mitigated.
• Ensure all bids issued comply with the CMS2 approvals processes.
• Work with Project Managers to identify, draft and agree change notes in line with contract requirements, maintaining a detailed change log for each contract.
• Act as a point of contact for any contractual disputes, including LDs, late payments, warranty claims etc. Escalate to the appropriate senior management.
• Ensure that terminated/expired contracts are properly exited and all ongoing obligations are fully identified and understood.

General activities:

• Carry out any other ad-hoc duties as required to support the needs of the business.
• Follow company procedures, standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain continuous professional development to ensure knowledge is up to date.
• Act as an ambassador for the company in all interactions with customers and the public.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• At least 3 years’ experience working in a commercial role.
• Comfortable negotiating face to face with customers.
• Risk management including application and interpretation of contract terms for relevant business environment.
• Strong understanding of legal terms and conditions, and good drafting skills.
• Have a good understanding of MoD commercial practises including Defence Conditions (DEFCONS) and the Single Source Regulations.

Desirable:

• Computer literate in all Microsoft packages.
• Worked for a defence supplier.
• Knowledge and experience of working with MoD tendering processes.
• Tender support.

Role travel requirements: Some travel to other Science Group offices in the UK may occasionally be required.

Other requirements:

• Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK.
• Candidates must have passed UK security clearance to Security Check level or be able to obtain this level.
• To gain SC clearance you will normally have had to have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.
• Candidates must be able to obtain a basic security check which will normally require you to have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years.

Benefits

At CMS2 we believe in rewarding our people and supporting their wellbeing. Alongside our competitive salaries we offer a comprehensive benefits package including, Company Profit Share Scheme, Generous Holiday Allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, 24 Hour access to GP and Mental Health support along with access to hundreds of high street discounts and more. As a business our people are our biggest asset, and we aim to nurture and develop our staff to achieve their full potential.