Sr. Specialist, Contract Management

Description
Mitsubishi Motors of North America, Inc. (MMNA) is looking for a Contract Management & Negotiation Sr. Specialist to make a meaningful difference to our operations, budget, and risk strategies! In this new role, you will have primary responsibility for the management of contracts and other business arrangements for at least two specific operational functions (i.e. Sales Operations, Marketing, Aftersales, Product Planning). This includes management of all business/operational aspects of contracts and agreements, including identifying and analyzing business issues, advising business partners and leadership, and negotiating terms and pricing with vendors and other contracting parties within those functions. The successful candidate must be extremely strategic and analytical, and able to quickly develop a deep understanding of operational goals, processes, and plans, to integrate optimal contracting into the overall business plan.
REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION:We believe that the central purpose of Contract Management is to obtain necessary strategic services as agreed in the contract, also while maximizing value compared to the cost and mitigating risk. This requires a holistic approach, optimizing efficiency and effectiveness of the business relationship, balancing costs and strategy against risks, managing the relationship with third parties, and pushing for continuous improvement in the contracting and negotiation process. The person in this position will perform critical duties, including, but not limited to:

• Facilitating relationships with existing service providers and other contracting parties to maximize goodwill and maintain a reputation for honesty and integrity; proactively managing internal and external expectations regarding the contracting process including negotiation, execution, and requirements.
• Leading negotiations including business terms, third party obligations, performance metrics, and pricing terms for all contracts/agreements in at least two operations functions, from simple to complex.
• Working closely with the Legal Department to ensure contract compliance and conformance to applicable laws, as well as appropriate management of risk; serving as the primary point of contact with the Legal Department for contract drafting and changes.
• Maintaining knowledge of potential / available providers for key services that MMNA regularly sources.
• Leading and executing RFP processes and the preparation of bids, providing process and thoughtful leadership to ensure that the lowest total cost of ownership is achieved with the appropriate level of service and quality.
• Working closely with business partners and Finance to understand applicable operating and capital budgets, and strategic financial goals; assuming responsibility for aspects of contract cost management to ensure that the financial benefits of each contract are defined, agreed, and consistently met or exceeded.
• Ensuring that agreed upon strategic business objectives and deliverables are met and in like with business partners' expectations; analyzing and reporting on charges and costs, resource management, and internal planning.
• Communicating regularly with business partners on the status of contract services; ensuring continuity of critical operating services.
• Researching and presenting recommendations on cost savings or avoidance opportunities; resolving billing discrepancies and service/deliverable/performance issues with service providers, business owners, and Finance.
• Collaborating with business partners and leaders to perform contract postmortems when necessary to drive continuous improvement; developing contracting action plans.

The above list is representative of the critical duties of this position, but is not a complete list of all functions the successful candidate may perform in the role. Additionally, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to work on additional projects with departmental teams on an as-needed basis. The incumbent is expected to work a full-time schedule of 8 hours daily/at least 40 hours per week.
LOCATION OF POSITION:
This position reports to the Franklin, TN headquarters of MMNA, and the successful candidate must live in Tennessee or be willing to move to Tennessee. In accord with MMNA's strong work from home culture, this position can be performed entirely from home with the exception of the occasional team or vendor/RFP meeting. However, again, the successful candidate must live in Tennessee, and we cannot make exceptions. Some minimal domestic travel may be necessary.
SALARY:
The base salary for this position ranges between $85,000 to $100,000. The base salary will be based on a number of factors including the role offered, the individual's job-related knowledge, skills, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all eligible employees which also includes 401k with company match, Mitsubishi Lease Program, and a full range of medical, financial, and other perks and benefits.
QUALIFICATIONS AND DIFFERENTIATORS:

• Bachelor's degree (business discipline preferred) or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Experience supporting vendor management/service provider programs
• Strong project management skills
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts and managing contracting processes
• Experience improving contracting processes and making them more efficient
• Expert in Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Excel and contract lifecycle management tools
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communications (written and oral) skills
• Understanding of legal concepts and risk management related to contracting, as well as standard business terms and conditions
• Accustomed to applying independent judgment, performing under pressure, and meeting deadlines, and working in a fast-paced global environment
• Willingness to learn new things, work in new areas, and thrive in an environment of ambiguity is ideal for this position; as a new role with responsibilities in many areas, the successful candidate must be comfortable assessing Company needs and making recommendations for their own projects and goals
• While this position does not require the candidate to be an attorney or legal professional, this could be an ideal position for an attorney or other legal professional seeking an alternate business-related career path

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, vision
• Wellness program
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Professional growth and development programs, including tuition reimbursement
• Vehicle lease and purchase programs
• Open & collaborative work environment

Click here to learn more about life at MMNA! https://jobs.jobvite.com/mitsubishimotorsna/jobs
The MMC Way:
Our values form the foundation of everything we do. At Mitsubishi Motors NA (MMNA), we are committed to a set of core principles that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions. Our values reflect who we are as a company, how we collaborate, and the impact we aspire to make. These values are what we call the MMC Way:

• Think of Our Customers, Strengthen Trust
• Enrich Society
• Welcome All Facts, Share Difficult News First
• Conduct and Challenge Yourself Professionally
• Respect All, Work as a Broader Team

Diversity and How to Apply:
At MMNA, we embrace the strength that diverse perspectives and experiences bring to our team. Our application process is designed to champion inclusion and equity. We're on the lookout for the ideal fit for each role, valuing skills and experiences over traditional education or specific company backgrounds. Feel encouraged to apply, even if your profile doesn't precisely match the job description. We invite you to delve into a few thought-provoking questions in our application, offering you the opportunity to showcase your unique talents and insights right from the start.
Once you've submitted your application, expect to hear from us within 7 business days. We're committed to keeping you informed about the status of your application, ensuring transparency and open communication throughout the process. We understand that perfection is a journey, and if you ever have questions about your application or the process itself, don't hesitate to reach out to your recruiter.
Mitsubishi Motors is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, excited about collaborating with talented individuals of all identities. We do not discriminate based on identity, aligning with both legal requirements and our commitment to fostering a diverse workplace. Our code of conduct serves as a guiding light for the company we aspire to be, celebrating our differences as the driving force behind a product that serves a global user base.
We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and is prepared to provide reasonable accommodations. If you require such accommodations for the job application or interview process, please email [email protected] with Subject: Application for 'Job Title'.
We hope you will join us on this journey where your dedication aligns with our values, creating an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and meaningful contributions.