Specialist, Contracts

Company: South
32 Group Operations Pty. Ltd.

Hermosa, located approximately 75 miles south‑east of Tucson, Arizona, is the only advanced mining project in the United States as of 2023 that could produce two federally designated critical minerals—manganese and zinc—as well as silver and lead. The project has the potential to help power the nation’s clean energy future, strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, grow the local economy, and improve lives in Santa Cruz County and the surrounding community for generations to come.

• Annual short‑term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business.
• When you choose to contribute more into your retirement savings, South
  32 will match it up to a certain percentage.
• South
  32 provides you with 4 weeks paid time off.
• 12 weeks full‑paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks full‑paid parental leave for secondary carers.

The Contracts Specialist will provide owner‑side contracts and procurement support during project construction activities and transition to operations as the project moves into commissioning and operations. This intermediate‑level role will lead and manage the end‑to‑end procurement and contracting activities for construction, equipment, materials and services. All activities are to be conducted in strict accordance with South
32 standards, governance frameworks, and policies and values, ensuring commercial compliance, schedule alignment, cost control, contractor performance, effective contract administration, contract management, and close‑out. This role will be primarily based at the Hermosa Project Site near Patagonia, Arizona, and may work a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Develop and execute contracting and procurement strategies aligned with project scope, schedule, and transition to operations.
• Lead pre‑award contract and procurement activities including RFP/tender preparation and issuance, bid evaluations, clarifications, negotiations, and preparation of award recommendations and approvals in accordance with South
  32 standards and governance requirements.
• Draft contracts and contract‑related documents (approvals, recommendations, reports, presentations etc.) using South
  32 standard forms, supporting approval documentation, governance submissions, and commercial reporting.
• Execute post‑award contract activities including contract execution, purchase order issuance and management, supplier onboarding, pre‑mobilization, and contract mobilization support.
• Administer contracts across the full lifecycle, including invoice validation, change order management, contract amendments, claims support, KPI reporting, record management in Ariba/ERP systems, and contract close‑out.
• Monitor and support contractor and supplier performance through progress meetings, performance reviews, and issue resolution to ensure adherence to contractual obligations and agreed commercial terms.
• Build credibility and effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, influencing alignment to agreed sourcing strategies, commercial approaches, South
  32 values, and Hermosa project objectives.
• Ensure South
  32’s Code of Business Conduct, ethical sourcing principles, and health, safety, environmental, sustainability, and community expectations are communicated to and adhered to by South
  32 and contractors.
• Contribute to the development, embedment, and continuous improvement of contracts and procurement processes and practices.

• Completed Bachelor’s Degree in either Supply Chain, Business Administration, Accounting, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in contract and procurement in construction, mining, or heavy industry, with min 5 years mining specific experience (projects and/or operations) strongly preferred.
• Certifications such as Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified in Supply Management (CSM), or other recognized supply chain certifications considered an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, Aconex, Contract Management/ERP…