Job Title: Contract Manager
Industry: Mining
Department: Commercial / Contracts / Supply Chain
Location: Tanzania / Mine Site
Reports To: Commercial Manager / Supply Chain Manager / Project Director
Employment Type: Full-Time

1. Job Purpose

The Contract Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of contracts supporting mining operations, projects, construction, maintenance, equipment, logistics and professional services. The role ensures contracts are competitively sourced, commercially sound, properly administered and delivered in line with agreed scope, cost, schedule, quality, HSE requirements and applicable company and regulatory standards.

2. Key Responsibilities

Contract Management & Administration

• Manage the full contract lifecycle from sourcing and award through execution, amendment, renewal, close-out and archiving.
• Draft, review and administer contracts, service agreements, construction contracts, purchase/service orders, framework agreements and consultancy agreements.
• Ensure contract terms clearly define scope, deliverables, pricing, payment terms, liabilities, warranties, insurance, performance requirements and termination provisions.
• Maintain accurate contract registers, correspondence, amendments, guarantees, insurance records, approvals and key contractual dates.
• Monitor contractual obligations, milestones, expiry dates, renewals and deliverables, and issue timely notices where required.

Tendering & Commercial Evaluation

• Coordinate or support RFQs, RFPs and tender processes, including preparation of commercial documentation and bidder clarifications.
• Participate in technical and commercial bid evaluations and prepare commercial comparison and recommendation reports.
• Lead or support negotiations with contractors and suppliers to achieve competitive pricing, balanced risk allocation and suitable commercial terms.
• Prepare contract award recommendations in accordance with company approval and delegation-of-authority requirements.

Contractor Performance Management

• Monitor contractor performance against scope, KPIs, service levels, schedules, budgets, quality and HSE requirements.
• Conduct regular contractor performance reviews with contract owners and key stakeholders.
• Identify underperformance and ensure corrective action plans are agreed, documented and followed through.
• Support contractor mobilization, site access, induction, ongoing compliance and demobilization.

Cost, Variations & Claims Management

• Monitor contract expenditure, commitments and forecasts against approved contract values and budgets.
• Review invoices, payment applications, milestone claims and supporting documentation prior to approval.
• Evaluate variation requests, change orders, extensions, additional works and commercial impacts before recommendation for approval.
• Manage contractor claims, contractual notices and disputes; maintain adequate records to protect the company’s contractual position.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, value improvement and stronger commercial outcomes.

Compliance, Governance & Local Content

• Ensure contracts comply with company procurement procedures, ethical standards, approval requirements and applicable laws and regulations.
• Support compliance with applicable Tanzanian mining and local content requirements, including participation of qualified local suppliers and service providers.
• Ensure contractors maintain required licenses, permits, insurance, tax/statutory registrations and other contractual documentation.
• Support internal, external and regulatory audits by maintaining complete and traceable contract records.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• Work closely with Mining Operations, Projects, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HSE, HR and other departments.
• Provide practical contractual and commercial advice to management and contract owners.
• Prepare periodic contract status reports covering expenditure, variations, claims, contractor performance, expiry dates, key risks and required actions.
• Escalate significant commercial, contractual, compliance or contractor-performance risks in a timely manner.

3. Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, Procurement & Supply Chain, Commercial Management, Engineering, Law, Business Administration, Finance or a related field.
• Professional certification or membership in CIPS, RICS, World Commerce & Contracting, Project Management or an equivalent professional body is an advantage.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline is an added advantage.

4. Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience in contracts, commercial management, procurement or project contracting, with at least 3 years in a senior contract's role.
• Previous experience in the mining industry is strongly preferred; experience in oil & gas, energy, construction, infrastructure or heavy industry may also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-value service, construction, supply and/or project contracts.
• Strong experience in tendering, contract negotiation, contract administration, variations, claims, contractor performance and commercial risk management.
• Experience working in Tanzania, East Africa or remote mine-site environments is an advantage.

5. Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of contract administration, commercial principles, procurement and tendering processes.
• Ability to review contractual terms, scopes of work, pricing schedules, specifications and commercial submissions.
• Strong negotiation, cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, claims and variation-management skills.
• Understanding of HSE, contractor governance and compliance requirements within an operational mining environment.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint; experience with ERP/procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle or similar is desirable.

6. Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness	• Negotiation & influencing
• Analytical thinking	• Attention to detail
• Planning & organization	• Stakeholder management
• Problem solving	• Decision making
• Integrity & professionalism	• Clear written & verbal communication
• Risk awareness	• Ability to work under pressure

7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Contracts awarded and renewed within agreed timelines and approved budgets.
• Contractor performance against agreed KPIs, service levels, HSE and quality requirements.
• Effective control of variations, claims, cost overruns and commercial exposure.
• Accuracy and timeliness of contract reporting, forecasting and record keeping.
• Compliance with procurement, contract governance and applicable local content requirements.
• Commercial savings, value improvements and timely closure of contractual issues.

8. Working Conditions

• Regular travel to mine sites, contractor facilities and project locations may be required.
• The role may involve working in remote operational environments and adherence to all site HSE, medical, security and access requirements.
• Additional hours may occasionally be required during shutdowns, major tender evaluations, negotiations or urgent operational activities.

9. Authority & Accountability

The Contract Manager is accountable for ensuring contracts under their responsibility are commercially sound, properly administered and effectively controlled throughout their lifecycle. Within the company’s Delegation of Authority, the role may recommend contract awards, variations, payment approvals, extensions, corrective actions, suspension or termination, and escalate significant commercial or contractual risks to management.