Reporting to the National Operations Manager
Position requires a highly experienced Contracts Operation Manager to oversee all contractual and commercial functions within the forklift and material handling business.
The ideal candidate will manage customer contracts (long term rentals with maintenance agreements), lead negotiations, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and protect the company’s commercial interests while maintaining strong customer relationships.
This is a strategic role suited to someone with deep industry knowledge, exceptional attention to detail, and strong leadership capability.
Responsibilities:
Contract Management & Administration:
Draft, review, and manage contracts for forklift sales, long-term rentals, short-term hire, service agreements, and maintenance plans.
Ensure all contracts meet legal, regulatory, and company standards. 
Maintain an accurate schedule of all current contracts, including contract lifecycle and profitability, and identify where any escalations or restructures are necessary.
Commercial & Financial Oversight:
Analyse contract profitability, risk exposure, and performance metrics. 
Drive cost saving on any contract work conducted without compromising on service excellence. 
Provide guidance on pricing structures, escalation clauses, SLAs, and warranty terms. 
Support tender submissions, large-scale bids, and national account proposals
Negotiation & Stakeholder Engagement:
Lead commercial negotiations with customers, suppliers, and OEM partners. 
Serve as the point of escalation for complex or high-value contract disputes. 
Collaborate with sales, operations, finance, and legal teams to ensure contract alignment.
Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensure compliance with health & safety, industry standards, and corporate policies.
Identify and mitigate contractual risks, including equipment liability and service-level obligations. 
Monitor changes in legislation affecting material handling and equipment hire industries.
Leadership & Process Improvement:
Manage a team of Contracts Managers, each responsible for a designated area. 
Mentor and guide junior contract administrators or coordinators.
Develop standardized templates, procedures, and best practices. 
Drive continuous improvements for contract efficiency and accuracy.