Contract Manager

Toll Group

About Toll Group

At Toll, we do more than just logistics - we move the businesses that move the world. Our 16,000 team members can help solve any logistics, transport, or supply chain challenge – big or small. We have been supporting our customers for more than 130 years. Today, we support more than 20,000 customers worldwide with 500 sites in 27 markets, and a forwarding network spanning 150 countries. We are proudly part of Japan Post — www.tollgroup.com

Position Title : Contract Manager – Defence Theatre Logistics – Government and Defence

Division: Finance – G&D

Function: Theatre Supply Chain

Loc ation: Melbourne

Reports to: Direct report - Senior Manager Commercial & Contract DTL

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Contract Manager - Defence Theatre Logistics (DTL) is responsible for leading the commercial and contractual management of the Defence Theatre Logistics portfolio, ensuring contractual obligations are achieved, commercial risks are effectively managed, and customer outcomes are delivered.

Working closely with operational, finance, procurement, legal and Defence stakeholders, the role provides commercial leadership across contract governance, customer engagement, pricing support, contract performance, risk management and change control activities. The role is accountable for maintaining robust commercial governance, supporting profitable and sustainable contract delivery, and ensuring compliance with Commonwealth and Defence contractual requirements.

The position plays a key role in strengthening customer relationships, supporting commercial decision-making, leading contract negotiations and variations, and identifying opportunities to improve contract performance, governance and overall contract health across the portfolio.

Success in the role will be demonstrated through strong contract compliance, effective management of commercial and contractual risks, successful customer engagement, timely delivery of contract changes and variations, and the achievement of sustainable commercial outcomes aligned to Defence Theatre Logistics objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DECISIONS/ LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

Commercial & Contract Leadership

Lead the commercial and contractual management of the DTL portfolio, ensuring contractual obligations, commercial outcomes and customer commitments are achieved.
Partner with operational leaders to translate contractual requirements into practical delivery outcomes.
Support profitable and sustainable contract delivery through effective commercial governance, risk management and decision-making.
Provide commercial advice and recommendations to support operational and strategic decisions.
Identify commercial opportunities and improvement initiatives that enhance contract value, performance and customer outcomes.

Contract Governance & Performance

- Lead contract management activities across the DTL portfolio, including governance calendars, obligations management, formal notices, deliverables tracking and contract records.
- Maintain commercial governance frameworks, ensuring contractual obligations, approvals, delegations, compliance requirements and reporting commitments are monitored and actioned.
- Monitor contract performance and contractual compliance, identifying emerging issues and implementing corrective actions where required.
Maintain accurate contract data, registers and documentary records to support audits, reviews and governance activities.
Promote disciplined contract management practices and provide guidance across contract administration and delivery activities.

Commercial Compliance, Pricing & Reporting

Support contractual compliance across DTL contracts, including performance obligations, milestones, reporting requirements, notices and contractual deliverables.
Provide commercial and pricing support for contract changes, proposals, customer requests and internal decision-making.
Prepare and coordinate commercial reports, dashboards and briefing material for governance forums, customer reviews and leadership reporting.
Monitor commercial performance and identify risks to contract delivery, profitability or compliance.
Support development of business cases, commercial assessments and customer proposals.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Develop and maintain strong relationships with Defence customers and key internal stakeholders.
Lead or support customer governance forums, contract reviews and performance discussions.
Coordinate formal contractual correspondence, approvals, departures and commercial communications.
Support or lead negotiations relating to contract changes, customer requests, subcontractor matters and commercial issues within delegated authority.
Work collaboratively across operations, finance, procurement and legal teams to achieve commercially sound outcomes.

Contract Change, Risk & Continuous Improvement

Manage contract variations, extensions, waivers and change proposals, including commercial assessment, pricing support, approvals and implementation.

Identify, assess and manage commercial and contractual risks, implementing mitigation strategies in partnership with stakeholders.

Support dispute avoidance and resolution through proactive contract management and customer engagement.
Identify opportunities to improve contract governance, reporting efficiency, compliance and commercial performance.
Contribute to the development of commercial processes, templates and controls that improve consistency across the DTL portfolio.

ASDEFCON & Defence Contracting

Apply practical knowledge of ASDEFCON templates and Defence contracting principles to support compliant contract administration, risk management and customer engagement.
Ensure contract management activities align with Commonwealth and Defence policy requirements, security obligations and internal governance frameworks.
Support subcontractor and supplier commercial arrangements, ensuring appropriate head contract flow-down obligations and risk controls are maintained.

Leadership & Team Contribution

Act as a trusted commercial advisor to operational leaders across the DTL portfolio.
Provide leadership and guidance across contract governance, commercial discipline and risk management activities.
Coach and support team members and stakeholders on contractual obligations, governance requirements and sound commercial practice.
Promote accountability, proactive issue management and a strong customer-focused culture.

PRE-REQUISITES

Technical Skills

Strong contract management capability, including contract interpretation, governance, obligations management, contract change and risk management.
Demonstrated experience supporting or leading contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance customer, operational and commercial outcomes.
Experience in pricing support, commercial analysis and preparation of contract change proposals and business cases.
Strong written communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Experience preparing governance reporting, executive briefings and commercial submissions.
Working knowledge of ASDEFCON, Defence contracting frameworks and Commonwealth procurement requirements.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability.

Experience

Minimum 5 years' experience in contract management, commercial management or related disciplines.
Experience within Defence, Government or highly regulated environments preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing complex service delivery contracts and contractual risk.
Experience supporting customer negotiations, contract changes and governance forums.
Experience working with operational, finance, procurement, legal and customer stakeholders.

Qualifications Required

Degree qualified in Business, Commerce, Law, Procurement or related discipline.
Formal training or demonstrated experience in contract management, ASDEFCON, Defence contracting or procurement highly regarded.

ESSENTIAL PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Strong commercial judgement and business acumen.
Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
Strong customer focus and relationship management capability.
High attention to detail and governance discipline.
Proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
Strong communication and negotiation skills.
Resilient, adaptable and outcome focused.
Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to continuous improvement.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Senior Manager Commercial & Contracts
Defence Theatre Logistics Operations Leadership
Finance & Commercial Teams
Procurement
Legal
Government & Defence Leadership Team

External

Commonwealth of Australia / Defence Customers
Suppliers and Subcontractors
Industry Partners
External Advisors and Auditors

No. of Direct Reports: TBC (Potential 1)

What moves you?

At Toll, you can help play a vital role in delivering what matters. From food, fuel, medicine and rescue services, we keep businesses and communities thriving. Every day brings change. We see that as an opportunity. To be curious. To ask the right questions. And build meaningful connections. Because finding new ways to solve problems is what we do. With a bold vision to expand our global reach, our 16,000+ people bring a passion for progress. We collaborate in friendly, caring teams, supported by approachable leaders who give us the autonomy to quickly make decisions with impact. Learn and grow with industry-leading training, alongside talented experts. Feel empowered to take on diverse challenges and new responsibilities to move you, our customers, and our world further.

Are you excited about this role but are concerned you don’t meet all the requirements? If you have similar skills and are willing to learn then we encourage you to apply anyway. We know that some people hesitate to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Toll, we value a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re interested in this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly then please talk to us – you may be just the right candidate for this or other roles we have coming up.

At Toll everyone is welcome including those of all ages, ethnicities, genders and abilities.

To find out more about us visit www.careers.tollgroup.com

You must be entitled to work in Australia and be prepared to undertake pre-employment checks including a criminal history check and medical.