Contract Administrator in Melbourne

An established hot dip galvanizing business in Somerton, Victoria, requires the services of an experienced Contract Administrator.

Position Overview

The Contract Administrator will prepare, interpret, maintain and review contracts across the business's customer, project and supply arrangements, ensuring commercial compliance and on-time delivery of galvanized steel to engineering, construction and infrastructure clients. This includes managing contract documentation, assessing and negotiating variations to work orders, administering supplier and service contracts, liaising with customers, engineers and project managers, monitoring contractor performance, and providing contract risk advice to senior management.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and opportunities for performance-based bonuses.
• Career development and growth opportunities.
• Access to health and wellness benefits.
• Employee discounts on meals and company products/services (if applicable).
• Flexible working hours and a supportive work environment.
• Paid time off and sick leave.
• Work in a collaborative and dynamic team.
• Opportunity to demonstrate your contract management and project coordination skills.

Task & Responsibilities

• Contract Management: Prepare, interpret and review supply agreements, project subcontracts, price schedules and terms of trade with fabricators, builders, head contractors and suppliers, ensuring coating specifications, turnaround times, pricing and deliverables are clearly defined and agreed.
• Variation Handling: Assess, price and negotiate variations to work orders and contracts, including additional or changed items, weight differences, rework, blasting, venting and drainage work, and expedited turnaround. Ensure all variations are documented and approved by the relevant parties before work proceeds, and tracked through to invoicing.
• Supplier and Service Contracts: Administer contracts for zinc, acid, flux and other chemicals, waste removal, freight and plant maintenance. Monitor commodity price and rise-and-fall clauses, oversee contractor work on site, and report on variations to contractor work orders.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure contractual arrangements comply with AS/NZS 4680 galvanized coating requirements, customer inspection and test plans, quality hold points, and applicable environmental, work health and safety, and workplace legislation.
• Client and Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the central point of contact for customers, project managers, engineers and suppliers on contract matters. Respond to queries, resolve disputes over scope, quality claims or delays, and maintain clear communication throughout each job.
• Operational Collaboration: Work closely with production, quality, dispatch and estimating staff to ensure jobs are delivered according to contractual obligations, within agreed timeframes and to the required coating standard.
• Reporting: Prepare and maintain reports on contract status, variations, claims, turnaround performance and margins by customer for review by management. Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintain comprehensive records of contracts, work authorisations, variations, approvals, certificates of conformance, coating inspection records and customer correspondence to support audit readiness and dispute resolution.
• Performance and Data Analysis: Collect and analyse data on contract performance, turnaround times, variation trends and customer claims to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Support to Senior Management: Provide advice and recommendations to management on contract risks, pricing, negotiation positions and policy updates, and assist in implementing management decisions across contract and plant operations.

Qualification & Experience

• Qualifications: Diploma or degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Law, or Civil Engineering/Building with contract subjects. At least three years of highly relevant contract administration experience will also be considered in place of formal qualifications.
• Industry Experience: Proven experience in contract administration, preferably in manufacturing, metal fabrication, steel supply, coatings or construction subcontracting.
• Legal and Contract Knowledge: Familiarity with Australian contract principles and standard forms (such as AS 4000 and AS 4902), security of payment claims, compliance requirements and workplace legislation.
• Commercial Understanding: Strong understanding of supply and subcontract agreements, variations to work orders, and commercial claims.
• Technical and Quality Standards: Knowledge of AS/NZS 4680 galvanized coating requirements, ISO 9001 quality systems or inspection and test plans is highly regarded.
• Reporting and Stakeholder Experience: Experience in contract reporting, record-keeping and stakeholder liaison with customers, engineers, project managers and suppliers.
• Software and Systems: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP, job-costing or contract management software.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written communication, negotiation and organisational skills.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse contract and performance data and provide actionable insights to management.

About Company

Work Type: Full time

Salary: $79500-85000

Job Publish: 30-10-2026

Job Expire: 29-11-2026