Manager - Commercial & Contracts - Manufacturing - LLB/LLM (5-10 yrs)

Job Overview:

The Commercial and Contracts Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end management of commercial contracts, tenders, and bids within the organization.

This role involves reviewing, evaluating, drafting, and negotiating contracts while mitigating risks, providing legal advice, and ensuring that all commercial agreements comply with statutory and international trade laws.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of commercial law, particularly in a manufacturing context, and possess the ability to proactively identify and manage legal and commercial risks.

Key Responsibilities:

- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, client contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and service-level agreements (SLAs).

- Review tender documentation, prepare proposals, and ensure that contracts align with organizational goals and legal requirements.

- Ensure compliance with company policies, statutory regulations, and international trade laws during contract execution.

- Lead and manage contract reviews and negotiations with clients, suppliers, and third parties.

- Analyze and assess the commercial and legal risks associated with contracts and advise internal teams on appropriate mitigation strategies.

- Conduct risk assessments for tender submissions and propose strategies to mitigate financial, legal, or operational risks.

- Identify areas of potential non-compliance, including tax, cost, or legal risks, and implement proactive strategies to address these issues.

- Lead the review and preparation of tender submissions, ensuring compliance with client requirements and legal frameworks.

- Develop commercial and legal strategies for tenders to improve the likelihood of successful bids.

- Liaise with internal stakeholders (procurement, finance, operations, etc.) to gather the necessary information for bid preparation.

- Provide advice on legal matters relating to commercial contracts, ensuring all documents are in compliance with statutory and international trade laws.

- Ensure the organization complies with foreign trade norms, international regulations, and applicable industry standards.

- Stay updated on changes in commercial law, tax law, and relevant regulations that may impact contract terms.

- Provide guidance on cost management, tax implications, and legal matters affecting commercial contracts and business transactions.

- Advise the senior management and other business units on commercial strategies, ensuring the best possible commercial outcomes for the company.

- Support the finance and legal teams by analyzing cost structures and identifying areas for financial optimization within contracts.

- Work closely with the senior leadership, procurement, legal, and operations teams to ensure the successful execution of contracts and agreements.

- Maintain strong relationships with external partners, suppliers, and legal advisors to facilitate smooth negotiations and contract management.

- Provide training and guidance to other departments on contractual matters and legal requirements.

- Prepare and maintain accurate records of all contract-related documents, including agreements, amendments, and correspondence.

- Prepare regular reports for senior management detailing key contract and tender statuses, issues, and risks.

- Keep detailed records of contract performance, compliance, and potential areas for improvement.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Education:

- LLB, LLM degree from a recognized institution.

- A combination of legal and commercial qualifications is preferred.

Professional Experience:

- 5-10 years of experience in commercial contract management, preferably in the manufacturing industry.

- Proven experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial contracts, tenders, and bids.

- Hands-on experience with statutory laws, international trade laws, and foreign trade norms