Contracts Manager

Company Summary :

Cad Railway Industries Ltd was founded in 1968 headquartered in Montreal. We take pride on being North America’s leader of full-service solutions in the freight, passenger and commuter rail industries in Canada, the United States and offshore.

Cad Railway has other facilities in Calgary, Lethbridge (under Caltrax banner) and has recently been selected by the ONxpress Transportation Partners association to provide all legacy fleet maintenance services for the Metrolinx rail fleet of approximately 1000 bi-level coaches and 90 locomotives.

Cad Rwailway’s delivery team will operate and maintain Metrolinx’s rail maintenance facilities in Etobicoke and Whitby, as well as in multiple overnight along with mid-day light servicing facilities located across the Metrolinx train service area.

Summary of the role :

The Contracts Manager will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing all aspects of the contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance with legal and organizational standards.

This position requires strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with various departments to mitigate risks and optimize contractual agreements.

Core Accountabilities :

Contract Lifecycle Management :

• Lead the end-to-end management of contracts, from initiation through negotiation, execution, and closeout.
• Develop and maintain a centralized repository for all contracts, ensuring accurate and up-to-date documentation.

Contract Review and Negotiation :

• Conduct thorough reviews of contract terms, identifying potential risks and proposing modifications to protect the organization's interests.
• Negotiate terms and conditions with Contracting Authorities, vendors, and partners to achieve favorable outcomes while maintaining positive relationships.

Compliance and Risk Management :

• Ensure contracts adhere to legal requirements, organizational policies, and industry standards.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with contracts and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.

Collaboration and Communication :

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, Reliability and Maintenance Engineering, and operations, to gather input and ensure alignment on contractual terms.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to address inquiries, provide clarification on contract terms, and facilitate successful contract execution.

Contract Administration :

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the main Project Agreement
• Track and monitor key contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations to ensure compliance.
• Handle contract modifications, extensions, and amendments as necessary.

Vendor and Client Relations :

• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with vendors and clients, serving as the primary point of contact for contractual matters.
• Address issues and disputes related to contracts in a timely and professional manner.

Continuous Improvement :

Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements in contract management, recommending and implementing enhancements to streamline workflows.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in business, law, or a related field; advanced degree or legal certification is a plus.
• 3 to 7 years of proven experience as a Contracts Manager or in a similar role, with a solid understanding of contract law and legal principles.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in contract management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice to have :

• Experience working in an unionized environment
• Familiarity with other industries such as Aerospace
• Experience working in the rail industry with a comprehensive knowledge of rail equipment

Cad Railway Industries Ltd. provides an equal opportunity as an employer and we are dedicated to continue to preserve a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for every individual- no matter of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion and disability status.