Contract Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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From seasoned professionals to undergraduate co-ops, our team members enjoy seeing the impact of their contributions every day. Are you ready for an exciting new opportunity? We're always searching for amazing people!

Position: Contract Manager

Location: West Chester, OH

Job Id: 2095

# of Openings: 1

Contract Manager Legal Department | West Chester, OH | Full-Time

Trew is seeking a Contract Manager to support the Legal Department in managing commercial contracts across the company. As Trew continues to scale rapidly, this role will play a critical role in owning the full contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiation support, execution, compliance, and renewals, alongside a team of in-house attorneys. The ideal candidate combines strong contract management experience with a practical, business focused approach to risk management in a fast growing environment.

Contract Drafting, Review & Negotiation: Draft, review, and redline a high volume of commercial contracts including subcontractor agreements, master service agreements, purchase orders, NDAs, vendor quotes and contracts, customer agreements, service arrangements, and statements of work. Support negotiation of contract terms in coordination with the Legal Department, ensuring alignment with company risk tolerance, insurance requirements, and standard and fallback positions. Maintain and update the company’s standard contract templates, playbooks, and fallback positions as the organization’s contracting needs evolve. Identify and elevate non-standard terms, unusual risk allocations, and provisions requiring legal review.

Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle: intake, drafting, approval routing, execution, storage, obligation tracking, renewal, and termination. Manage and continue development of existing contract management system to track all active agreements, key dates, milestones, and deliverables. Monitor contract expiration and renewal dates and proactively initiate renewal or termination processes in advance of deadlines. Ensure executed contracts are properly filed, indexed, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.

Support company growth initiatives, including onboarding new vendors and subcontractors, supporting new geographies and service lines, and coordinating contract related activities with Finance and Strategic Sourcing.

Monitor compliance with contractual obligations across the organization, including insurance requirements, indemnification and liability provisions, bonding requirements, regulatory conditions, and occasional government contracting requirements. Track and report on contract related risks, disputes, claims, and compliance matters in coordination with in-house attorneys. Support internal stakeholders in understanding contractual obligations and ensure operational teams are aware of key terms, compliance requirements, and performance obligations affecting their work. Identify and elevate nonstandard contract provisions, regulatory risks, and government compliance issues requiring legal review.

Serve as the primary point of contact for contract-related matters, working closely with Legal, Sales, Project Management, Strategic Sourcing, Finance, HR, customers, and vendors. Prepare contract summaries and status reports for leadership as needed.

Manage the contracting complexities associated with Trew’s subcontractor relationships across project-based installation and service work. Address surety bond requirements, mechanics’ lien processes, prevailing wage contract provisions, and subcontractor compliance documentation. Coordinate with project management on flow-down terms, change orders, and subcontractor performance issues.

• Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certificate, J.D., or other advanced degree preferred. Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or similar professional certification is preferred. Specific certifications are not required if substantial independent experience can be demonstrated.
• 5–10 years of progressive contract management experience in a corporate legal department, law firm, government contracting, or comparable in-house environment, with demonstrated experience managing a high volume of commercial contracts across multiple contract types (services, procurement, construction/installation, technology).
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of contract law fundamentals, including indemnification, limitation of liability, insurance, warranty, termination, and assignment provisions. Experience with subcontractor agreements and construction-adjacent contracts, particularly flow-down requirements from customer specifications to vendors, is strongly preferred.
• Experience with contract management systems and tools (e.g., Agiloft or similar platforms). Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint).
• Experience in the material handling, automation, engineering, manufacturing, construction, or industrial services industry is strongly preferred. Familiarity with surety bonds, mechanics’ lien processes, and subcontractor management in a project-based business.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal provisions into practical guidance for business stakeholders.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Spanish is a strong plus given the company’s expanding operations in Mexico and Latin America.

Minimal travel (0-5%) to support business relationships and negotiations as requested by leadership.

This is primarily a desk-based role requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use. The position may require occasional travel to project sites, customer locations, or vendor offices for meetings, contract negotiations, and stakeholder engagement. While primarily office-based, mobility within the office and manufacturing facility may be required for collaboration with colleagues across departments.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Ability to traverse office, manufacturing facilities, and customer sites as needed.

Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.