Manager, Contracts

 Reference Number : 972 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $102 816 - $127 008

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 09/04/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

VIA Rail is a forward-looking organization currently undergoing a profound transformation. Our growth and remarkable results over the past two years have led us to reflect on our long-term positioning. We have a full slate of ongoing and upcoming projects that will help us realize our 2030 vision: “To be a smart choice for travelers.” These changes will impact all our divisions, including train fleet renewal, reservation system redesign, and modernization of maintenance centers, stations, and infrastructure. It is in this context that we have created a Contract Manager position dedicated to the success of procurement initiatives within the fleet renewal program.

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager of LDRE Procurement, the LDRE Contract Manager is responsible for managing the contractual aspects of agreements related to the purchase of rolling stock equipment for Long-Distance, Regional, and Remote (LDRE) acquisitions. This includes negotiating changes with the selected supplier, preparing amendments, ensuring compliance with contractual terms, and resolving or supporting the resolution of commercial issues. The role requires close collaboration with the supplier’s commercial/contractual team and high-level internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, procurement, IT, and project teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead negotiations, recommendations, record-keeping, tracking, and change management related to the LDRE acquisition contract;

• Collaborate closely with legal and procurement specialists to draft documents and submit them for approval;

• Serve as the key contact between internal stakeholders and third parties to ensure timely review and approval of change orders and preparation of contract amendments;

• Act as the direct interface with the supplier’s commercial/contractual team to monitor contract milestones and negotiate changes;

• Draft and review correspondence and/or agreements to ensure alignment with contractual terms and conditions;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and suppliers by understanding their requirements and recommending best practices;

• Monitor supplier progress and performance; propose business solutions when necessary;

• Frequently forecast supplier progress and present updates to stakeholders;

• Maintain correspondence, documentation, and amendments related to contracts;

• Resolve contract-related issues and scope-related problems;

• Establish, in collaboration with the warranty manager, processes for managing claims during the warranty period, based on contract requirements;

• Develop resolution strategies aligned with contractual terms and best practices;

• Analyze and report on specific risks associated with contracts;

• Communicate and present contract-related information to stakeholders;

• Assist in resolving issues related to invoices, payments, etc., ensuring internal policies and procedures for accounting, administration, and governance are applied and followed;

• Work closely with the document management specialist to ensure all contract-related documents, correspondence, and materials are accurate and up to date;

• Collaborate with project teams to ensure goods or services meet contractual requirements;

• Ensure supplier compliance with contractual obligations;

• Participate in internal/external audits as needed;

• Ensure proper transition of goods/services to operational teams.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Law, or a related field. An MBA is considered an asset;

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience, including eight (8) years as a major contract manager;

• Experience in the rolling stock or construction industry and certification such as CPCM™, CFCM™, CCCM™, or CCMA™ is a significant asset;

• Experience in procurement using an integrated management system such as Oracle is an asset.

Competencies:

• Deep understanding of contracts, contract governance, contractual language, and contract lifecycle;

• Skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, understanding their needs, and recommending best practices;

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to understand technological, legal, and financial implications;

• Advanced understanding of contract structures and documentation;

• Superior reading, writing, language, and presentation skills;

• Excellent persuasion, negotiation, judgment, and leadership abilities;

• Exceptional attention to detail and a talent for accuracy and precision;

• Strong ethics and professional integrity;

• Ability to engage in open discussions on topics of organizational interest;

• High degree of initiative, along with strong organizational, planning, and leadership skills;

• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative spirit with colleagues;

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and document management systems.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

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