Description
As the Contracts Manager, you will build and lead Locke's contracts function. You will review, redline, and negotiate subcontracts, purchase orders, and terms for precast packages, manage the supplier side of our contracts, write the playbook that sets the standard for how Locke negotiates, and own each contract from first redline through final payment. Working directly with the President, the VP of Sales & Marketing, and the Leadership Team, you will use modern tools, including AI-assisted contract review, so your time goes to judgment calls rather than boilerplate. Success in this role is demonstrated through sound contract terms, clean handoffs to project management and accounting, disciplined change-order, notice, and lien processes, and a team that understands contract fundamentals. As Locke grows, this role grows into leading a team.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
• Review, redline, and negotiate GC and EPC subcontracts, purchase orders, and terms for precast packages ranging from $50K to $5M+.
• Apply Locke's contract playbook and approval process, and know when to bring in outside counsel.
• Hand every signed contract off to project management and accounting with a clear summary and a deadline calendar.
• Own change-order, notice, backcharge, lien, and bond processes through project closeout.
• Draft and maintain Locke's customer terms.
• Draft and maintain Locke's PO terms and conditions, master supply agreement, and services/equipment agreement.
• Review vendor-paper agreements, leases, and freight contracts.
• Flow customer requirements down to suppliers where needed, including warranty, schedule, and insurance.
• Build and continuously improve Locke's contract playbook, templates, and approval process.
• Train estimators, sales, project managers, and AR on contract fundamentals.
• Partner with the President, VP of Sales & Marketing, and Leadership Team on contract risk, negotiating positions, and escalations.
• Use AI-assisted contract review and other modern tools to speed up review and keep the focus on judgment calls.
SUCCESSFUL RESULTS:
Key Result Area #1 - Contract Review and Negotiation:
Successful Result: Secure contracts on the right terms by negotiating from a clear, consistent position and escalating the right issues at the right time.
• Review, redline, and negotiate subcontracts, purchase orders, and terms, with strong command of indemnity, liquidated damages, payment terms, flow-downs, warranty, and insurance provisions.
• Apply Locke's playbook and approval process consistently, and hold a position while using good judgment on when to escalate.
• Bring in outside counsel when a contract or issue calls for it.
Key Result Area #2 - Contract Administration and Handoff:
• Hand every signed contract off to project management and accounting with a clear summary and a deadline calendar.
• Own change-order, notice, backcharge, lien, and bond processes through closeout, in line with Texas lien, bond, and prompt-pay requirements.
• Track contract deadlines and obligations so notices and claims are handled on time.
Key Result Area #3 - Supplier-Side Contracts and Flow-Downs:
• Draft and maintain Locke's PO terms and conditions, master supply agreement, and services/equipment agreement.
• Review vendor-paper agreements, leases, and freight contracts.
• Flow customer requirements down to suppliers where needed, including warranty, schedule, and insurance.
Key Result Area #4 - Contracts Function, Training, and Partnership:
• Write and maintain Locke's contract playbook, negotiating standards, approval process, and customer terms, and use AI-assisted contract review to improve speed and consistency.
• Train estimators, sales, project managers, and AR on contract fundamentals.
• Work directly with the President, VP of Sales & Marketing, and Leadership Team on contract risk and negotiating positions, and build the foundation to grow the contracts function into a team as Locke grows.
WHAT YOU BRING:
• 5+ years negotiating construction subcontracts at a specialty subcontractor, GC, or EPC firm.
• Strong command of indemnity, liquidated damages, payment terms, flow-downs, warranty, and insurance provisions.
• Working knowledge of Texas lien, bond, and prompt-pay requirements.
• Confidence to hold a position, and good judgment about when to escalate.
• Ability to build processes and standards, and to train and influence colleagues across Sales, Estimating, Project Management, and Accounting.
• Comfort using modern tools, including AI-assisted contract review.
• Industrial/EPC or manufacturing experience is a plus. A law degree is not required.
