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 Sussex
Sussex, a historic county in the south-east of England, is situated on the Channel coast and shares borders with Surrey, Kent and Hampshire.
It's also home to a number of large settlements - including Chichester, Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Eastbourne, Crawley and Bognor Regis - and offers a range of opportunities for those seeking Contract Specialist jobs.
Historically, the region has been known for agriculture and fishing, while the seaside resort towns were popular destinations for tourists, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
These days, tourism continues to play an important part in the local economy. Brighton, for example, is a favourite getaway for Londoners seeking a bit of sunshine and sea air on the weekends, while visitors from around the world come to see the Royal Pavilion and the pleasure pier.
Of course, there's much more to the region than leisure activities. For instance, Sussex has a strong hold on the financial industry, with credit card giant American Express having its European headquarters here.
The Thales Group, known for manufacturing electrical systems for the aerospace, security and defence markets also has a facility in Sussex.
Other companies in the area include The Body Shop, Doosan Babcock Energy and WesternGeco. Fischer yachts are built in Sussex and Nature's Way Foods produces pre-packaged salads and fruit. Meanwhile, various airlines have offices in the region, such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Thomson Airways.
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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.
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