Commercial & Contracts Director

At STELIA North America, we are offering the opportunity for a career that is out of this world! We are looking for a dynamic leader to join our Team in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. An affiliate of the Airbus Group of Companies, STELIA is an aerospace and defence company specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of composite components and assemblies. Headquartered in Lunenburg, NS, and with a site in Mirabel, QC, we operate more than 150,000 sq feet of facilities dedicated to operations, manufacturing and administration.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Commercial & Contracts Director assesses and mitigates risk for the organization by reviewing, negotiating, and preparing contracts and commercial documentation for STELIA. They will conduct extensive research to ensure the contract’s language is compliant and to detect any potential risks the company could face if they sign the contract. The Director regularly checks on current contracts to ensure the company and customer remain compliant and follow the terms listed in their contract. They respond to contract negotiation, bids, and proposals, review all contracts to ensure they comply with all company policies, regulations, and laws, and analyze potential risks of signing certain contracts.

In this role, you will:

Pre-contract:

• Comprehensively review draft contracts and Terms & Conditions (“T&Cs”) in Requests for Proposal and Quotes
• Deliver compliance matrices and negotiation strategies against draft contracts / T&Cs
• Identify and facilitate the mitigation of commercial risks and exposures to penalties and input into pricing processes
• Co-lead (with Programs Dept) customer negotiations and contract acceptance
• Ensure formalisation and execution of all agreements between Stelia North America and customers in contract acceptance and/or updates

Contract Delivery:

• Ensure Business Segment Directors and assigned Program Managers have detailed knowledge of, and are managing to, their formal program contracts
• Ensure risks of contractual breach and/or potential penalties are known in a timely manner
• Diligently pursue (with Programs Dept) instances of scope creep or requirement changes, and formalise through Contract Change Proposals and associated pricing
• Negotiate (with Programs Dept) price adjustments allowed for within contracts, or when market conditions cause required revision
• Support Business segment Directors in compliance declarations

Supply Chain:

• Partner with Director Supply Chain to achieve long-term agreements with Stelia North America’s most significant suppliers
• Develop and enforce commercial position to reduce price and delivery risk from suppliers; preferably flowing down contractual obligations and periods of performance
• Where relevant flow supply chain risks back to customers especially where customers mandate supply sources and/or control pricing
• Support Supply Chain Director in flow through of customer requests including the flow down of (Defense) Federal Aviation Regulations

Strategy & Compliance:

• Manage Export Control and Technology Access Agreement processes
• Manage company and project-specific insurances as well as building and equipment leases
• Support the development and maintenance of business risk analysis and Business Continuity Plan development in partnership with applicable department leaders.
• Co-own (with Business Segment Directors) preparation and presentation of Gate reviews for major business opportunities – presented to STENA ExCom and to Airbus Atlantic
• Assist in the enforcement of delegation of authorities’ processes

You have:

• 8-10 years’ experience working in commercial/contracts administration, preferably in the aerospace, defense, or composites manufacturing industries
• 2-3 years’ proven experience negotiating complex contracts with a variety of shareholders in both public and private sector
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related area from a recognized post secondary institution
• Exposure to Export Control programs and Technology Access Agreements
• Demonstrated success identifying and mitigating risks across all levels and scopes of the organization
• Experience leading and facilitating effective results through cross functional teams
• Experience drafting and negotiating client and supplier agreements, purchase agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
• A dynamic communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Well developed ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Knowledge of contract law and government regulations as they relate to commercial and contracts functions, as well as export control;
• High level of capability with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

At STELIA North America, we know our people are our greatest asset. We welcome anyone who is passionate, positive, team oriented, improvement focused, and willing to grow and develop their career. If you join us, you will find an environment that is challenging and rewarding, and a culture that is flexible, inclusive, and welcoming.

We offer competitive total rewards package including:

• Comprehensive Flexible Benefits including Health and Dental, Health Care Spending Account

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Life Insurance • Dependent Life Insurance • Company Matched Pension Plan • Group RRSP • Group TFSA • Paid Personal Days • 12 Company Holidays

• Employee Family Assistance Program • Out of Country Travel Insurance • Shares Purchase Plan • Free on-site parking • Employee Social Events • Learning & Development Programs