Woodward’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Commitment

At Woodward, no matter where you are from, your physical appearance, or how you identify, you deserve the opportunity to reach your greatest potential. We are on a journey to achieve this as an organization and want to work closely with our members to set the right path.

We humbly acknowledge this will be an imperfect journey. Yet, we are steadfastly committed to embracing the power of diverse people, perspectives, and experiences for our current members, attracting the best talent across our communities, and creating an inclusive and rewarding workplaces for all.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

Estimated annual base pay:  $120,888 (minimum) - $153,600 (midpoint) - $184,320 (maximum)

All members included in cash bonus opportunity.

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)

Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members  

12 paid holidays, including floating holidays. 

Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire

Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave. 

Paid parental leave.

Adoption Assistance  

Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits. 

Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life 

Member referral bonus 

Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending 

Voluntary benefits, including:  

Home / Auto Insurance discounts 

Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave 

Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re a Contract Operations Manager, we have an exciting opportunity for you. This position has the primary responsibility of customer interface over contract life cycle, establishing contractual framework where applicable, and for the administration of claims management.

What You Will Be Doing 

Position to sit in Santa Clarita / also open in these locations:

Santa Clarita, CA. $122,880 (min) $153,600 (mid) $184,320 (max)

Fort Collins, CO. $111,680 (min) $139,600 (mid) $167,520 (max)

Zeeland, MI. $111,680 (min) $139,600 (mid) $167,520 (max)

Rockford, IL. $111,680 (min) $139,600 (mid) $167,520 (max)

Niles, IL. $111,680 (min) $139,600 (mid) $167,520 (max)

Contract Negotiations  

Responsible for customer interface over contract life cycle for US Government prime and subcontracts

Supports the customer proposal process as needed

Ensures that all relevant flow-down terms and conditions, both internally and throughout the Company’s supply chain are considered, addressed, and disseminated

Reviews customer contract drafts and executes under the established proposal pricing strategies and cost targets

Leads and ensures timely commercial review of contracts, including functional reviews of commercial terms, and generally ensures compliance with the Contract Review Policy and other corporate guidelines

Ensures that commercial terms align with business, commercial, operational, and supply chain objectives and initiatives

Identifies compliance risks and consults with the applicable stakeholders to determine approach (e.g., non-standard Global Trade Compliance terms and conditions)

Responsible for negotiating pricing and contractual framework for both OEM and repair, maintenance, overhaul and service agreements

Assists the Director of Legal with drafting, revising and negotiating contracts and terms in accordance with commercial negotiations and strategy, and in alignment with deal CTQs (“Critical to Quality”) and business strategy

Implements change management re-contracting activities and identifies opportunities for continuous improvementIdentifies new business opportunities with existing customers

Creates awareness of, and understands, potential business at risk

Supports initiatives and activities to ensure compliance with regulatory or customer specific requirements (i.e., import/export, licenses, proprietary information, FAA, IC, etc.)

Develops and establishes processes to monitor internal and external commissions agreements, rebates and licensing

Assists Director of Legal with reviewing FAR/DFARS clauses to ensure language is aligned with approved and/or standard approach

Assists Director of Legal with commerciality assertions, determinations and associated price reasonableness throughout the negotiation process

Contract Management

Manages contracts, with the support of the Contract Management Coordinator, to ensure:

compliance with Woodward’s obligations and enforcement of Woodward’s rights, such as design changes and associated assertions, pricing (including price escalation/de-escalation, volume-based pricing, rebates, commodity-sensitive pricing, etc.), liquidated damages, payment and payment terms, measuring actual performance against contractually stipulated metrics, and the like appropriate measures are taken with regard to contractual triggers and events such as milestones (development, production delivery, etc.), price expiration, product phase changes, contract expiration or termination, etc. timely and disciplined administration, execution and enforcement of all contractual rights and obligations and coordinates with internal stakeholders as appropriate (e.g., PLC process adherence, coordination with the program management office on scope and requirements changes) proper maintenance of agreements within Woodward’s Contract Management System to ensure all contracts and relevant information are timely and accurately maintained in the system

Responsible for the engagement with applicable company and external stakeholders to ensure legal and regulatory compliance, including government contracting, FAA regulations, DOT requirements, trade compliance, etc.

Responsible for the strategy and approach for monitoring internal and external commissions agreements, rebates and license.

What We Are Looking For 

US – bachelor's degree in arts/sciences (BA/BS) required.

2-5 years' Experience in commercial role, preferably in contract administration, commercial operations, and/or sales required.

2-5 years' Experience directly, or indirectly leading teams required.

2-5 years' Experience in related industry preferred.

10% Travel for customer negotiations and to other Woodward sites for team meetings

Functional Expertise

Extensive experience negotiating and managing US Government contracts at the prime and subcontract level.  This is a requirement for consideration.

Solid business acumen and understanding of Woodward markets and products

Understanding of commercial terms and industry standards

Strong negotiation skills

Strong knowledge of contract drafting, including language implications

Experience in managing existing contracts to ensure compliance and enforcement of rights

Solid background and capabilities in customer engagement and management

Managing and Measuring Performance

Experience in customer claims management and supportGoal and results orientedEstablishes clear directions and objectivesDistributes and lays out work appropriately and in a well-organized mannerBrings out the best in people by maintaining clear communication and two-way dialogueClearly and comfortably delegatesBroadly shares responsibility and accountabilityTrusts people to performMonitors process, progress and results

Building High-Performing Teams

Helps foster a culture of inclusion and engagement that inspires Woodward team members to act in a way that values the strengths and differences of our global membershipEffective relationship managementIs a people builder; develops a motivated workforceSolid organizational savvyAbility to identify and use available resources

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

EO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veterans 

Contract Management  

Manages contracts to ensure:compliance with Woodward’s obligations and enforcement of Woodward’s rights, such as design changes and associated assertions, pricing (including price escalation/de-escalation, volume-based pricing, rebates, commodity-sensitive pricing, etc.), liquidated damages, payment and payment terms, measuring actual performance against contractually stipulated metrics, and the likeappropriate measures are taken with regard to contractual triggers and events such as milestones (development, production delivery, etc.), price expiration, product phase changes, contract expiration or termination, etc.timely and disciplined administration, execution and enforcement of all contractual rights and obligations and coordinates with internal stakeholders as appropriate (e.g., PLC process adherence, coordination with the program management office on scope and requirements changes)proper maintenance of agreements within Woodward’s Contract Management System to ensure all contracts and relevant information are timely and accurately maintained in the systemResponsible for the engagement with applicable company and external stakeholders to ensure legal and regulatory compliance, including government contracting, FAA regulations, DOT requirements, trade compliance, etc.