What skills does a contract manager need?

A contract manager needs 28 essential skills including project management principles, procurement lifecycle, morality, procurement legislation, teamwork principles. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace contract manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for contract manager is 81/100 (very high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2619

contract manager

Contract managers oversee the respect of awarded contracts to ensure that services are delivered as foreseen and that each step of the delivery is properly documented. They act as the main point of contact for suppliers on contractual matters and report back to their leadership. They implement financial and operational controls and ensure compliance with all reporting requirements.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (28)

project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.procurement lifecycleprocurement lifecycleThe procurement lifecycle includes the various phases from planning and pre-publication to post-award and contract management.moralitymoralityThe principles and beliefs derived from a code of conduct, accepted by a large group of people, that make the distinction between what is right and wrong behaviour.procurement legislationprocurement legislationThe procurement legislation at national and European level, as well as adjacent areas of law and their implications for public procurement.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.organisational structureorganisational structureFramework of the different departments within the organisation, as well its people, their roles and responsibilities.supplier managementsupplier managementThe methods and techniques to ensure that external services and configuration items, which are necessary for the service delivery, are available as requested and as agreed at the service level.communication principlescommunication principlesThe set of commonly shared principles in regards with communication such as active listening, establish rapport, adjusting the register, and respecting the intervention of others.cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.manage relationships with stakeholdersmanage relationships with stakeholdersCreate and maintain solid internal and external relations with stakeholders at operational level based on mutual trust and credibility in order to achieve organisational goals. Ensure organisational s...develop performance orientation in public administrationdevelop performance orientation in public administrationFocus efforts and prioritise work to deliver value for money, in line with public service guidelines and policies, in order to achieve cost savings and strategic and sustainable goals, proactively ide...implement risk management in procurementimplement risk management in procurementIdentify the different types of risks in public procurement processes and apply mitigation measure and internal control and audit processes. Adopt a proactive approach to protect the interests of the ...maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.adapt to changing situationsadapt to changing situationsChange approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.implement sustainable procurementimplement sustainable procurementIncorporate strategic public policy goals into procurement procedures, such as green public procurement (GPP) and socially responsible public procurement (SRPP). Contribute to reducing the environment...use communication techniquesuse communication techniquesApply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...negotiate improvement with suppliersnegotiate improvement with suppliersBuild a good relation with suppliers in order to improve knowledge and quality of supply.implement procurement of innovationimplement procurement of innovationDevelop innovation procurement strategies to drive innovation from the demand side, considering forward-looking and alternative solutions that involve either buying the process of innovation or buying...apply certification and payment proceduresapply certification and payment proceduresApply the verification principles and the financial control framework which ensure that the relevant supplies, services or works are delivered in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contra...manage procurement planningmanage procurement planningDevelop and implement procurement planning that translate the policy choices of the organisation into where and how public procurement should be used to cost-effectively purchase the required supplies...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...negotiate supplier arrangementsnegotiate supplier arrangementsReach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.adhere to organisational code of ethicsadhere to organisational code of ethicsAdhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness.keep up-to-date with regulationskeep up-to-date with regulationsMaintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.manage contract disputesmanage contract disputesMonitor issues that arise between the parties involved in a contract and provide solutions in order to avoid lawsuits.negotiate buying conditionsnegotiate buying conditionsNegotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.

Optional (2)

e-procuremente-procurementThe functioning and methods used to manage electronic purchases.use e-procurementuse e-procurementUse digital procurement technologies and e-procurement applications and tools in order to reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and strengthen transparency and accountability of procuremen...