Plant Operations Contract Manager

CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 300 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ 11,000 people and operate in more than 55 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact. 

What does that mean for you? You’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere, and small enough to get you there sooner. You’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work-life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.

Job Description

Position Purpose

The Plant Operations Contract Manager has the responsibility to properly manage a contracts portfolio for the 50+ Third Party Plant Contractors in our 300+ Site Active Network.  Scope includes the overall facilitation, maintenance, and daily management of Third Party Plant Operations Contracts.  In addition, the Plant Operations Contract Manager provides strategic insights during Contract Renewal phases and is considered a key support role for proper / accurate negotiations with our 3PL Partners.  Part of these strategic insights include pricing terms, inflation analysis, continuous improvement terms, and other key clause acceptance. This role also supports the North American Gatekeeper for SAP on items related to Plant Code Administration responsibilities – such as plant code set up, plant profile master data, and core Strategic Operations Standard Operating Procedures & Processes within US Plant Operations relating to SAP Gatekeeper / admin scope.  Gatekeeper Responsibilities support over 1,200 US Based end users (345 Active Facilities) within our NA supply Chain Teams

Full Responsibility for the execution of contract process from beginning to end between CHEP Internal Teams (Legal and Plant Ops) and third-party operations vendors, while providing key insights and information to all parties involved, including CHEP Operations, APE and Finance.

The position also ensures that all contractual set-up & amendment processes are compliant with the Brambles Regional Authority Matrix and Internal Audit Recommendations.  This Role has direct contact & a working relationship with our Legal & Counsel Teams and is considered a Business-Critical Entity within the Supply Chain Operations Team.

Major/Key Accountabilities

• Responsibility to properly manage the contracts portfolio and all associated processes.   

• Role leads individuals responsible for SAP Gatekeeping / Plant Code Admin for the North America Business Unit (Over 1,200 users and over 345 Active Facilities) – Ensures all UAT Testing is complete for development needs, training, and field support to entire NA Supply Chain Field Teams amongst numerous functions (IT, PSM, Ops, O&L teams)
• Critical Contact & liaison with our CHEP Legal Counsel & Operations VP’s to support Strategic Negotiations on Future Pricing Terms, Insurance Terms, Liability Coverage Aspects – Is the key contact for knowledge-based questions and intel about each 3PL contract
• Daily maintenance & contractual processes within the Plant Contract Management System and administration on all Operations 3rd party agreements.
• Spearhead the development of policies, processes, and training documents that govern the contract management process and provide guidance on contract terms and the assessment of contract proposals
• Liaise with Legal regarding all CHEP plant contracts, Ensure compliance to agreed contract language, and that appropriate authority is given for new contracts and/or contract amendments
• Provide ownership and accurate reporting and guidance to all stakeholders for CHEP-to-third party contract processes from start to finish
• Act as liaison to APE Finance for validation and/or clarification of CHEP-to-third party contract rate setup and requirements
• Act as liaison to CHEP Plant Stock Management for CHEP-to-third-party plant creation and setup processes
• Provide support and guidance to CHEP Field Ops Reps and Managers regarding CHEP-to-third party contract processes and flows
• Maintain and provide accurate and complete document repository for all CHEP-to-third party contract documents and rate sheets
• Work to mitigate and reduce the necessity of accrual for CHEP-to-third party contracts through timely execution of contract process
• Work to continually reduce cycle time for contract creation process
• Develop and lead content during executive level CHEP-to-third party contract approvers meetings.
• Provide controls & standards to ensure third party Contract and System rates are aligned and are corrected as needed, including monitoring for rate changes
• Ability to lead, organize and report out on projects / work streams assigned.
• Responsible for maintenance and updating of Plant Profiles vital for multiple internal CHEP systems including plant network hierarchy.
• Implementation of improvements to current operational processes while driving consistency amongst the supply chain teams.
• Provide accurate ad hoc analysis for Operations and Supply Chain partners.
• Participates in the collection and coordination of market research and expert guidance to assist senior leaders in solution development, contract strategies, and cost-saving opportunities

Measures

• Reduction of Contract Creation Cycle Time
• Reduction of Contract Accruals
• Accuracy and alignment of Contract and System rates
• Internal Customer Satisfaction
• Work stream ownership and completion according to timelines.
• Accuracy, quality and timeliness of delivered reporting and analysis

Authority/ Decision Making

• Influence on CHEP US Supply Chain/Operations teams to execute on operational strategy.

• Process change recommendations and decision support for Strategic Operations

Key contacts

Internal:              

• Plant Operations team (VP, Directors, Managers)

• Ops Finance Team (VP, Directors, Managers)

• Legal (VP, Director)

• Business Operations and Finance teams (VP, Directors, Managers)

External:

• Senior Leadership of our Plant Operations 3rd party management groups

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• BS in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics or equivalent experience

Desirable Qualifications

MBA, Master of legal studies, Six Sigma Green Belt

Experience

• 7+ year’s applicable experience, including all aspects of contract & master data management (i.e. validation, interpretation, analysis, data maintenance, report creation, process compliance, providing solutions and recommendations, and project management). 
• 5+ Years working amongst Legal Counsel Teams, Strategic level contract Negotiations with top third-party operations providers, liaison work directly with legal team members on a routine basis

Skills and Knowledge

• Expertise in Legal Contract Language / Amendment Terminology
• Expertise working with Legal Counsel Teams & Strategic Negotiation Tactics
• Proficiency with Amendment Red-Lining and Term Change, Version Controls, and  Documentation Policies
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel and Visio skills
• Proficiency in Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools preferred
• Excellent project management, time management, and organization skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to learn complex tools and concepts quickly
• High attention to detail and accuracy with ability to report details in clear, concise summary for management
• Understanding of Supply Chain and Operations Activity & Process Flows
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills

Languages

Essential

English

Desirable

N/A

Preferred Education

Preferred Level of Work Experience

Remote Type

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential. This means harnessing the unique skills and experience that each individual brings and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Individuals fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as Brambles or CHEP representatives have scheduled interviews and offered fraudulent employment opportunities with the intent to commit identity theft or solicit money. Brambles and CHEP never conduct interviews via online chat or request money as a term of employment. If you have a question as to the legitimacy of an interview or job offer, please contact us at recruitment@brambles.com.