Lead Contract Specialist

Move Forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you’ll join us in transforming the third‑largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets our customers to their destinations on time and are looking to hire talented folks with a commitment to excellence.

Leads and executes procurements under the direction of Procurement & Logistics Department management. Interacts professionally with executive level stakeholders and management.

• Solicitations assigned to Lead Contract Specialists typically are large sized procurements; very large volume procurements across a category; category-wide solicitations; or significant activities within a mega-project solicitation.
• Works with stakeholders to develop procurement category strategies for more routine type procurements.
• Researches and conforms specifications for services, goods, or equipment for Solicitations (Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs)).
• Reviews the proposed specifications, contract awards, change orders and amendments including justification memoranda for conformance with applicable regulations and consistency with procurement process of other contract specialists on the team. Coordinates review of IFB and RFP packages by appropriate departments, advises project manager of review results.
• Conducts bid and proposal processes. Establishes and maintains procurement schedules. Performs prequalification appraisals. Coordinates technical evaluation committees. Distributes bid and proposal packages, and communicates with vendors, contractors and consultants. Tabulates bids and proposals.
• Reviews, analyzes, and appraises bids and proposals. Performs cost and price analyses. Negotiates scopes of service, direct and indirect costs, fees, and terms and conditions. Prepares Cost Analysis and Negotiation documentation and recommends contract award.
• Tracks procurements through the Board process to contract award. Prepares Procurement fact sheets for Board Liaison.
• Coordinates contract approval and execution process.
• Issues Purchase Orders (POs) against Requisition s in support of procurements or for stand‑alone small purchases.
• Assures that all required documents, representations, and certifications are properly executed and attached to POs and associated files as required.

• Tracks expiration dates of current contracts and updates specifications to re‑procure in a timely manner.
• Reviews, analyzes, and appraises contract changes, disputes and claims in accordance with Federal, State and NJTRANSIT procurement rules and regulations. Evaluates entitlement and conducts cost analyses. Negotiates change orders and claim settlements. Assembles and prepares justification documentation and recommends execution of contract amendments.
• Issues changes to POs against Requisition s in support of changes.
• Performs contract administration in conformance with FTA and State regulations. Interprets contract terms and conditions, maintains documentation, and coordinates issues with appropriate departments. Monitors contract performance and compliance with terms and conditions. Performs closeout of contracts.
• Tracks change orders through the Board process to execution.

• Performs all duties within the currently approved systems of record or, where manual processes are employed, properly maintains documents in conformance with document control policies.
• Provides feedback and input on planned or new systems.

• Remain current on all required training.
• Create a development plan for your career.
• Seek out and gain training to increase proficiency in procurement, procurement categories, or other appropriate topics.
• Coach and advise others in the conduct of procurements and subsequent contract administration.

• Develop expertise in the requirements of one or more procurement categories such as IT, capital project, professional services and/or rolling stock purchase or rolling stock spare parts.
• Supervise others’ work in the execution of certain larger procurements.
• Provide advice to the…