We are seeking a strategic and results driven Contracts Manager. The Contracts Manager is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of contracts across commercial, defense, and FAA Part 145 MRO operations. This includes direct oversight of contracts supporting OEM production, afterspanet services, customer returns, and Power By The Hour (PBTH) programs. The role ensures contract and regulatory compliance (i.e. FAR/DFARS, ITAR, EAR, OFAC and FAA), drives consistent execution through standard processes, and holds accountability for people, processes, and procedures within the Contracts function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the negotiation, administration, and close-out of commercial, government, and MRO (Part 145) contracts, subcontracts, NDAs, teaming agreements, and long-term support agreements.
• Manage and support Power By The Hour (PBTH) programs, usage-based maintenance contracts, and sustainment agreements to ensure financial and performance outcomes align with contract terms.
• Partner with Trade Compliance to ensure all export, import, sanctions and boycott regulations are adhered to.
• Oversee the customer returns process, ensuring compliance with contractual warranty terms, turnaround times, root cause evaluations, and financial impact resolution.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, OFAC and FAA Part 145 requirements, while protecting the company from legal and financial exposure.
• Drive standardization and improvement in contract management processes, procedures and return/sales order entry lead times utilizing data and KPI’s, while ensuring consistency, scalability, and audit readiness.
• Lead, coach, and develop contracts staff (if applicable), holding accountability for people performance, cross-functional alignment, and execution of departmental goals.
• Implement and maintain a contract lifecycle management system (CLM) to track terms, obligations, modifications, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with program management, finance, quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer service to align contractual obligations with operational execution.
• Support proposal and bid efforts, including SOW review, risk identification, pricing input, and compliance certification.
• Represent the company in contract negotiations with customers, advocating for low risk while supporting strategic growth.
• Prepare and deliver contract briefings, risk assessments, and status reports to executive leadership and during customer program reviews.
• Coordinate and support customer and regulatory audits (FAA, DCMA, DCAA), ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Champion a culture of compliance, ethical conduct, accountability, fun, and get stuff done, while looking for continuous improvement across all contract-related activities.

• Support customer engagement strategies, including program reviews, proposal development, and growth opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with key customers.
• Support accounting and program management with strategies on aging receivables.
• Support Program Management and Finance for building out of the annual, and strategic plan forecast focused on trending historical data, bookings, backlog, customer intel, and pricing.

• Ensure contract compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, UCC, and FAA regulations; apply regulatory knowledge to protect company interests and reduce risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Law, Contracts, or a related field
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in contract management, including defense, commercial, and FAA Part 145 MRO environments.
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, UCC, ITAR, EAR, and FAA Part 145 regulations.
• Proven experience with PBTH programs, usage-based pricing, service-level contracts, and performance-based logistics (PBL).
• Experience managing customer returns, warranty claims, and repair/exchange agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving people development, team performance, and process ownership.
• Excellent contract negotiation, risk assessment, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with ERP and contract management systems (e.g., Sales Force, Epicor).
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

• Eligibility for U.S. Government security clearance may be required depending on program access

Key Competencies:

Kaman is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other protected characteristics protected by law. Kaman and all its related companies fully endorse equal opportunity for all.

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