Senior Contracts Administrator

About the role

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence, and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected, and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries.

Responsibilities

• Contract Administration & Lifecycle Management
• Administer assigned government and commercial contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle, including proposal review, contract award, execution, modification, and closeout.
• Review customer purchase orders, contracts, and contractual documents to identify key requirements, deliverables, risks, and compliance obligations.
• Analyze contract terms and conditions and develop recommendations consistent with company policies and business objectives.
• Monitor contract funding status, limitations, periods of performance, deliverables, reporting requirements, and customer obligations.
• Manage contract modifications, option exercises, extensions, and other contractual actions.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready contract files and records in accordance with company procedures and customer requirements.
• Contract Review & Negotiation
• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a variety of contractual agreements.
• Review customer terms and conditions, assess contractual and business risks, and develop recommendations for management approval.
• Lead negotiations of routine to moderately complex contractual terms and conditions within delegated authority limits.
• Identify contractual risks, ambiguities, and non-standard provisions and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Proposal & Business Support
• Support the preparation and review of government proposal submissions, including representations and certifications, cost and pricing documentation, and compliance with Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements when applicable.
• Coverage of customer solicitations to identify contractual requirements, compliance obligations, pricing considerations, and business risks.
• Coordinate with Program Management, Finance, Business Development, and Operations during proposal preparation, pricing activities, and contract negotiations.
• Prepare contractual correspondence, notifications, and customer communications.
• Compliance & Regulatory Support
• Interpret and apply FAR, DFARS, agency supplements, and company policies in support of assigned programs.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, customer requirements, and internal procedures throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Support compliance with export regulations, including ITAR and EAR requirements.
• Review and implement contractual flow-down requirements to suppliers and subcontractors as applicable.
• Monitor contract performance against key contractual requirements and identify corrective actions when necessary.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, DCAA reviews, DCMA inquiries, CPSR reviews, and other compliance assessments through documentation preparation and contract file management.
• Customer & Program Support
• Serve as the primary contractual point of contact for assigned customers, Contracting Officers, buyers, and authorized customer representatives.
• Develop and maintain productive customer relationships to facilitate effective contract administration and issue resolution.
• Advise Program Managers and internal stakeholders regarding contractual obligations, scope changes, customer requests, funding limitations, contractual risks, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in customer meetings, program reviews, and contract discussions as the contractual representative.
• Cookordination with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Trade Compliance to resolve contractual issues and support customer requirements.
• Data Management & Reporting
• Review and enter customer purchase orders into the ERP system, ensuring accuracy and alignment with contractual requirements.
• Maintain contract tracking systems, databases, funding reports, and reporting tools.
• Prepare contract summaries, funding reports, status updates, and management reports.
• Monitor contract performance metrics and support reporting requirements as requested by management or customers.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to contracts processes, procedures, templates, and systems.
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to Contracts Administrators and other team members.
• Share best practices related to contract administration, compliance, customer communications, and negotiation strategies.
• Support departmental initiatives and contribute to the development of efficient contract management processes.
• Assist in developing and maintaining standardized contract administration procedures and tools.
• Planning & Decision-Making
• Work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Prioritize workload to support customer requirements, contractual obligations, and business objectives.
• Exercise sound judgment in identifying contractual risks, business impacts, and matters requiring management review or escalation.
• Develop recommendations and solutions for routine contractual issues and customer requests.
• Communication & Teamwork
• Demonstrate excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Collaborate effectively across Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Business Development, and Trade Compliance functions.
• Contribute to team objectives while fostering a collaborative and customer-focused work environment.
• Provide guidance and support to junior team members while promoting knowledge sharing and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Contracts Management, Legal Studies, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in contract administration, government contracting, commercial contracting, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and negotiating contractual terms and conditions.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, contract types, contract lifecycle management, and government contracting principles.
• Experience administering various contract types, including Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Reimbursable, Time-and-Materials (T&M), IDIQ, or similar contract vehicles.
• Experience supporting government proposal activities, including cost and pricing submissions and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (formerly TINA) requirements.
• Familiarity with ITAR and EAR requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ERP/business systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting both government and commercial contracts.
• Familiarity with DCAA, DCMA, CPSR, or customer audit environments.

Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.
• In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $104,000 - $130,000 annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.
• We offer medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off.
• Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrate our workplace culture.
• Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans.