Program Manager Contract Jobs in Gadsden, AL (NOW HIRING)

Job Purpose
The U.S. Government Contracts Manager supports sales through the identification, mitigation, and resolution of U.S. Government contracts and associated risks within Caterpillar's Rail Division in alignment with compliance objectives. The U.S. Government Contracts Manager will perform periodic assessments of the compliance program as well as the performance on U.S. Government contracts to ensure both the program and the contract requirements are being met. The role will not only support all levels of Rail Division personnel but will also interact with external customers including the U.S. Federal Government, U.S. State & Local Government, transit authorities and their contractors.
In this role, you'll be at the forefront of interpreting these evolving regulations and translating them into actionable compliance strategies that enable Progress Rail to successfully deliver on government contracts while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and operational excellence.
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company's products are in operation across more than 100 countries-powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail-they are making history every day.
Education / Training
• Bachelor's degree required in one of the following fields: Business Administration, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
Key Job Elements
Regulatory Interpretation & Compliance Analysis
• Interpret Federal Regulations: Analyze and provide expert guidance on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), FRA grant requirements, FTA Buy America standards (49 CFR Part 661), FHWA domestic content rules, and related federal, state, and local government procurement regulations.
• Conduct Regulatory Research: Research emerging compliance issues, track legislative and regulatory changes, and formulate evidence-based recommendations to senior management on compliance strategies and risk mitigation.
• Domestic Content Program Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert on domestic content requirements under FRA, FTA, and FHWA programs, including percentage thresholds, component origin determination, and waiver processes.
Contract Review & Risk Management
• Review Solicitations and Contracts: Examine requests for proposals (RFPs), solicitations, contracts, delivery orders, purchase orders, and related documentation to identify compliance requirements, regulatory obligations, and potential risks.
• Provide Risk Analyses: Deliver comprehensive risk assessments that evaluate regulatory, financial, and operational exposure, proposing practical mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Support Contract Negotiations: Partner with commercial teams, legal counsel, finance, and customers to negotiate terms that ensure clarity and compliance with applicable government requirements throughout contract execution
Compliance Program Management
• Perform Compliance Assessments: Conduct periodic audits and assessments of Progress Rail's government contracts compliance program and contract performance to verify adherence to regulatory requirements and internal standards.
• Manage DBE Compliance Program: Provide leadership and coordination for the implementation of Progress Rail's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Compliance Program across business segments, ensuring alignment with USDOT requirements.
• Maintain SAM Registration: Actively manage and review certifications required to maintain the System for Award Management (SAM) database for applicable Progress Rail business units, coordinating with functional business owners.
• Oversee Regulatory Filings: Take ownership of all regulatory filings and reporting required for contract performance, including FRA quarterly progress reports, federal financial reports (SF-425), and final performance reports.
Advisory & Training
• Serve as Division-Wide Resource: Act as the go-to expert for highly specialized government contracts matters, providing guidance to managers, supervisors, account managers, program managers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Develop and Deliver Training: Create and conduct training programs in collaboration with Legal Services for stakeholders across Supply Chain, Sales, Human Resources, and Finance on their roles in government contract tendering, procurement, and execution.
• Provide Innovative Solutions: Offer creative, practical approaches to complex contracting challenges throughout all phases of the U.S. government contract lifecycle.
Strategic Partnership & Industry Engagement
• Drive Growth Strategy: Play an instrumental role in developing and executing strategies to grow Progress Rail's U.S. government business compliantly and sustainably.
• Support Process Improvement: Work with business and functional stakeholders to continuously improve processes related to government contracting, maintaining regular coordination with legal department
Qualifications and Experience
Technical Knowledge & Skills
• Regulatory Expertise: Solid domain knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and experience with equivalent state and local government regulations; familiarity with FRA, FTA, and FHWA requirements strongly preferred.
• Legal Research Skills: Demonstrated ability to research complex compliance issues, interpret applicable regulations and statutes, analyze legal and regulatory documents, and formulate clear, actionable recommendations to management.
• Policy Development Experience: Proven track record developing policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Interpersonal Excellence: Exceptional interpersonal skills, high integrity, and sound judgment required to handle confidential matters, influence stakeholders, and represent Progress Rail before government agencies, customers, and external parties.
• Communication Proficiency: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex regulatory language into clear business guidance and communicate effectively with all organizational levels-from frontline staff to senior executives.
• Professional Ethics: Unwavering commitment to personal and professional ethics and integrity.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We're looking for a detail-oriented professional who thrives at the intersection of legal analysis and operational implementation. You might be:
• A paralegal or legal professional with experience in contract law, regulatory compliance, or government practice areas who wants to step into a management role with broader operational impact
• A government contracts specialist seeking to deepen expertise in transportation infrastructure and domestic content compliance
• A compliance or audit professional with experience interpreting regulations and building control frameworks in complex environments
• A procurement or supply chain professional with government contracting experience who wants to specialize in regulatory compliance and risk management
What unites successful candidates: the ability to read and interpret dense regulatory language, conduct thorough research, think critically about compliance risks, and communicate complex requirements in ways that enable business teams to act with confidence.
Essential and Physical Activities Functions
• Strength - Must be able to lift 40 lbs;
• Motion - The position is primarily in an office setting requiring sitting at the desk the majority of the day;
Vision/Hearing Requirements - May spend long periods of time in front of computer screen;
• Work Environment- Will spend the majority of time in office environment, although exposed occasionally
to plant facilities requiring exposure to hot and cold environments along with noise exposure;
• Emotional Demands - Must have good communications skills;
• Safety - Not a safety sensitive position but does requires the use of PPE when in a production
environment.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
• Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.