Contracts Manager

Start your career as an Contracts Manager (Projects) at Vopak and contribute to social themes such as energy security and energy transition. We offer you a working environment that is safe and pleasant and where equality, diversity and satisfaction are of paramount importance.

As an Contracts Manager (Projects) you will build together with all your colleagues in South Africa on our ambition to be the best in Port at leading locations. Vopak South Africa is a growing company and major investments have been made. As an Contracts Manager (Projects) you will join our motivated team in South Africa at Vopak South Africa to optimize the use of the infrastructure and contribute to a culture of being proud to work for this growing company.

Ready to develop yourself and make a positive impact? Improve the world and start as an Contracts Manager (Projects) at Vopak.

What will you do as an Contracts Manager (Projects)?

The Contracts Manager (Projects) is a critical, dedicated local role responsible for the end-to-end contractual and project management of Vopak South Africa's major capital and sustaining expenditure projects (CapEx).

At Vopak, we're building the future of new energy. This requires substantial and complex investments. As our Contracts Manager (Projects), you'll be the expert who ensures that every project is completed on time, within budget, and without unforeseen legal risks. Your role is crucial to the predictability and success of our capital projects. You'll manage the entire contracting process.

What do we offer you?

• A market-based salary that is commensurate to your knowledge & experience, coupled with attractive bonuses

• Relevant and competitively placed allowances

• Various growth & developmental opportunities

• Disability & Risk Insurance that is fully subsidized by the company

• Group Medical Aid where Vopak pays 50% of the nominal costs

• Excellent Retirement Scheme funding through our Group scheme retirement fund

• Wellness Agenda that authentically connects and cares for our people and promotes work/life balance

• Great working environment & a diverse and inclusive culture

What do we expect from you as a Contracts Manager (Projects)?

• Bachelors of Engineering degree, BCom, or a Legal degree

• A strong commercial background with hands-on construction experience in project procurement and an analytical, data-driven approach, coupled with over 10 years of contracting experience, preferably in the oil & gas sector

• 10+ years' experience on capital projects at a Project Procurement Manager level

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in contracting, preferably in the oil & gas sector

• Excellent knowledge of and experience with FIDIC formats

• Knowledge of and experience with Claims, Arbitration and DAB procedures

• In-depth experience developing complex contracting strategies, including EPC, PC, Construct Only, and Sustaining Capex.

• Experience in Fidic Silver and Red book

• Demonstrable expertise in successfully negotiating and concluding large, capital-intensive contracts

• A keen eye for detail and a proven ability to identify and mitigate contractual risks

• Experience leading tender processes, from market research to bid evaluation

• Strong communication and influencing skills to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders

• Solid hands-on experience with the conducting of tenders and evaluation of tenders;

• Strong negotiation, influencing, collaboration and partnering skills;

• Demonstrate an ability to effectively plan work and manage time efficiently in accomplishing role responsibilities

• Innovative, intuitive with ability to anticipate and interpret complex issues impacting on functional areas

• Fluent in English (written and verbal)

• Must have experience working in a project organisation, preferably with a stage gate model

• Understands local BBBEE charters and requirements and has experience managing such with stakeholders.

• Must be able to move around Southern Africa based on the location of the project

• Outline Project Complexity and value.

Alignment with Culture Pillars:

1. Trust

2. Collaboration

3. Courage

What can you expect from your employee experience?

• You are going to experience that we care & dare: We are empathetic. We know when to lead and know when to let others lead. We attract, grow and coach future leaders.

• We aim to communicate in a clear & authentic way. We solicit feedback, ask and listen, learn and unlearn.

• You will grow with your team: Whatever our role, we support business, in a thoughtful way, to create value for our teams and our clients. We embrace new ways of working applying digitalization to provide solutions.

• We lead the We: We have a passion for winning and growing as a team. We inspire people to deliver a joint performance. We create an inclusive environment where different thoughts, generations, cultures and experiences are valued and encouraged.

Your core responsibilities are:

• Strategy: Develop the contracting strategy for assigned projects (e.g., EPC, PC, Construct only and Sustaining Capex projects) and submit it to the tender committee for approval.

• Planning: Define the Contract Execution Plans and conduct thorough market research with engineering firms and contractors.

• Prequalify contractors and conduct RFIs, including handling NDAs.

• Prepare and oversee tenders in line with the defined strategies.

• You'll lead the evaluation of bids (technical and commercial) against the established criteria.

• Negotiation: In close collaboration with the project manager, develop the negotiation strategy and conduct contract negotiations.

• Management: Manage the entire contract lifecycle: from formalizing the award to detailed administration, including managing financial guarantees (e.g., performance-based fees).

• Provide the project team with a clear Conditions Summary at contract closing, outlining risks, interfaces, and management tools.

• Advise and support project teams on contract compliance, variations, and claim procedures.

• Ensure that disputes are handled in the best interests of Vopak and advise on risk mitigation strategies.

• Develop and maintain tools to ensure best practices in contracting.

• Organize the transfer of contractual knowledge within the organization and participate in project audits focusing on contractual performance.

• Manage the sourcing and contracting plan during project execution (Execution, Commissioning and Evaluation Stages).

• Administers, documents and maintains all contracts, coordinating and aligning with the Sourcing & Procurement Manager on maintenance contracts of the project assets;

• Monitor the contractor's cost and schedule reporting requirements during the Execution and Commissioning Stage.

• Inform all Project Team members of contractual obligations and procedures (key project members need a copy of the contract), and adequately manage and follow up on contract procedures.

• Ensure compliance with the change management process.

• Monitor and safeguard Vopak's legal rights according to the contract's provisions.

• Close-out contracts during Commissioning Stage.

• Manage the warranty and performance guarantees of the project assets up to the close-out of the project and hand these over to the Maintenance Manager.

Local Reporting Structure & Global Alignment:

• Report directly to the Sourcing & Procurement Manager in South Africa.

• Work closely with the Global Senior Contracting Manager to facilitate a structured transfer of strategic procurement knowledge and contract management best practices to the South African team.

• Contribute to the global contracting management policies & procedures and internal knowledge transfer

Want to start as a Contracts Manager (Projects) at Vopak?

Are you ready to share your vision and contribute to Vopak South Africa? Then start as a Contracts Manager (Projects) and apply now