Contracts Specialist

Business and Functional Purpose

A proudly Australian company, Santos is a leading supplier of natural gas, a fuel for the future, providing cleaner energy to improve the lives of people in Australia and Asia. Having merged with Oil Search, the combination creates a diversified portfolio of high quality, long-life, low-cost assets across Australia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Alaska with significant growth optionality. It will also create greater alignment in PNG supporting key projects and deliver new jobs and support the local economy. Santos is already Australia's biggest domestic gas supplier, a leading Asia-Pacific LNG supplier and aims to be a world-leading clean fuels company, achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. Santos will grow its clean fuels capability as customer demand evolves for zero-emissions LNG, hydrogen and other products through carbon capture and storage, nature-based offsets, energy efficiency and use of renewables in its operations. Recognised for its disciplined, low-cost operating model, Santos is resilient throughout the commodity price cycle. The Supply Chain & Operations Support discipline formulates, negotiates, administers and terminates contracts between OSA and third-party suppliers in accordance with best practices and business needs, additionally providing governance and oversight of contracting arrangements to maximise financial and operational performance and minimise risk.

Position Purpose

The Contracts Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day management of the complete end-to-end contract management process. This role is specifically focused on procurement interface management, strategy, and execution. The Contracts Specialist works closely with the function leaders, as well as other key stakeholders to ensure optimal selection of contractors and manage the delivery of outcomes to support OSA's contract requirements in a timely manner.

• Provide procurement oversight and contract support.
• Agree and implement standardization, sparing and respective supplier relationship strategies.
• Support contracting objectives and strategies within SAP.
• Execute sourcing strategies for Company related to material needs for Santos framework agreements & price books.
• Ensure best value for purchases and long-term total cost of ownership.
• Develop strategies to optimize third party spend.
• All facets of contract formation and contract management including drafting, interpretation, negotiation, contract review, and administration of complex customer agreements.
• Provide independent and objective contract evaluation as well as experienced advice and guidance to various functions, as applicable.
• Roll out final contracts to advise internal stakeholders of contractual rights and obligations and providing interpretation of terms and conditions.
• Use continuous improvement methodologies to drive process improvement and/or efficiencies.
• Collaborate with various teams and functions, ensuring organizational effectiveness and standardization.
• Support the maximization of cost targets and cash flow while minimizing risk in the negotiation of contracts.
• Contribute to the development of strong working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring provision of top-class service and high customer satisfaction.
• Adherence to Company Process & Procedures.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required

Formal Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree or equivalent in an appropriate field.

Skills / Technical competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of contracting principles, theories and concepts.
• Experience in oil and gas.
• Knowledge of and experience with lump sum, unit rate, reimbursable contracting including experience of managing FEED, EPC, EPCM contractors.
• Strong contractor management and contracts administration knowledge and experience.
• Proficient in oral and written communications.
• Effective interpersonal skills required to interact at all levels of seniority.

Experience:

• At least 8 years' broad experience in contracts, purchasing or legal disciplines.