Contract Specialist jobs
The value of watertight contracts cannot be overestimated in procurement. Any company that produces things relies entirely on the suppliers literally coming up with the goods exactly as determined by the factory’s production speed and warehousing capacities. Good contracts make sure both parties to the deal have understood their responsibilities and are confident that they can meet their requirements on time and on budget.
The contract specialist will be employed by the buyer to ensure that the procurement process runs as smoothly and as efficiently as possibly. The way to achieve this is for the contract specialist to be involved with as much of the contract-making process as possible, from bidding to negotiating to drafting to signing off. Because he or she is an expert in the field of contracts, errors should be kept to a minimum and the contracts themselves should be better drafted and more likely to be agreed upon sooner.
Since there are many thousands of pages of law, both domestic and international, regarding the sourcing, importation, payment for and transporting of goods, experience in the specific area in which the employer deals would be of great benefit. An expert in contracts for one particular product or material might not be the best person to deal with another.
For these reasons, a skilled contract specialist in a busy procurement operation is a valued member of the team.
The skills required
The eye for detail that you’d expect of a solicitor is a key requirement of the contract specialist. They should be able to analyse any proposed deal and flag up any areas that have the potential for conflict in the short or long term, and correct these elements of the draft without ignoring the effect they might have elsewhere.
The contract specialist is on the front line of protecting the employer’s interests, so trustworthy and reliable individuals will do well. However, since a procure and supply contract is supposed to be to the benefit of both parties, the good contract specialist will always look at the deal from the supplier’s viewpoint, too; identifying stumbling blocks at an early stage will prevent costly and time-consuming redrafts.
Important personal attributes will be analytical skills and a good command of English (or other languages when dealing internationally). Many employers will demand the minimum of a business degree, but good experience of drafting contracts can stand applicants in good stead.
Contract Specialist Jobs in Redditch
Redditch is a moderately populated Worcestershire town situated about 12 miles (20 km) south of the centre of Birmingham. Worcester is the same distance to the west and Leamington Spa is over to the west, and the whole town is surrounded from west to north to east by a curve made up of the M5, M42 and M40. The town’s population is around 80,000.
The town is historically noted as being the manufacturing base for needles, and at one point 90 per cent of the world’s needled could trace its journey back to Redditch. The industry has largely gone away now, replaced by a multitude of small manufacturing businesses. However the needle-making heritage lives on in the shape of the National Needle Museum, which tussles with Keswick’s pencil museum for the top spot on most tourists’ must-visit-before-I-die lists.
Redditch became a new town after the Second World War, and much of the old buildings and infrastructure was demolished to make way for a more modern, planned town. The town has a few notable residents in the world of business. Motoring and cycling retailer and windscreen wiper blade fitter Halford’s has its headquarters in the town, as does the engineering company GKN (formerly Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds), which can trace its history back to the 1700s. There’s also a major shopping centre, Kingfisher, which is responsible for creating a lot of local jobs. With such a diversity in Redditch and great links to major cities, it’s little surprise that Contract Specialist jobs appear in our inbox from time to time.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or are simply looking for more job fulfilment, there could well be an employer who’s looking for the skills you have. At any given time, Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so wherever you live, or plan to live, we are well placed to find work that suits your skills.
We were founded by specialists in the logistics, supply chain and procurement trade, and our consultants are also drawn from these backgrounds, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for. In fact, employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates, so if you’re in procurement, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Contract Specialist for your business or find you a job as a Contract Specialist then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
Contact us