Job Title: Contracts Manager / Senior Manager Legal & Contracts

Role Overview;

- We are seeking a highly skilled and independent Contracts Manager / Senior Manager to oversee, draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts within the dairy sector.

- The role requires strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work with minimal supervision while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Contract Drafting, Review & Negotiation:

- Draft, review, and negotiate contractual documents to ensure clarity, risk mitigation, and compliance with applicable laws.

- Independently handle diverse contract types including B2B contracts, rental agreements, logistics and warehouse agreements, supply and service agreements, cross-border trade agreements, manpower contracts, NDAs, authorization letters, and termination notices.

- Lead negotiations with vendors, service providers, and other stakeholders to secure favorable terms and safeguard company interests.

2. Contract Execution & Administration:

- Ensure smooth execution of contracts by coordinating approvals, maintaining documentation, and monitoring adherence to contractual obligations.

- Support end-to-end lifecycle management of contracts, from initiation to renewal/termination.

3. Contract Database & Systems Management:

- Maintain an accurate, centralized repository of contracts with effective tracking of renewals, deadlines, and compliance requirements.

- Implement and manage contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools, digital signing platforms, and reporting systems.

4. Stakeholder Management:

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Commercial, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, HR, Finance, etc.) to gather inputs, clarify terms, and align contracts with business needs.

- Act as a single point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on contractual matters.

5. Compliance, Risk & Dispute Management:

- Ensure all contracts comply with relevant Indian laws, dairy industry regulations, and organizational policies.

- Identify, assess, and mitigate potential contractual risks, escalating key concerns to senior management.

- Provide support in dispute resolution and act as liaison between internal teams and counterparties.

6. Reporting & Process Improvement:

- Prepare dashboards and periodic reports for management on contract status, performance, and compliance.

- Continuously improve contract management processes, tools, templates, and negotiation strategies.

Skills & Qualifications:

- Bachelor's/Master's degree in Law.

- 8-12 years of experience in contract management, preferably in FMCG/Dairy/Food industry.

- Strong knowledge of contract law, commercial agreements, and relevant regulatory frameworks (domestic & international).

- Proven ability to independently negotiate, draft, and close complex contracts with vendors and third parties.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with CLM tools is an advantage.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.

- Analytical thinker with the ability to identify risks and propose practical solutions.

- Strong organizational and multitasking skills; ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

- Team player with the ability to also work independently and handle confidential information with discretion.

- High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability