{"id":3880201,"url":"https://alion.io/job/nj-transit-lead-contract-specialist","title":"Lead Contract Specialist","company":{"id":1762265,"name":"NJ TRANSIT","domain":"njtransit.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/njtransit","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Oracle","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":5,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":12,"computed_at":"2026-11-12T10:38:37Z"}},"role":"Legal","role_family":"Legal","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"contractor","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Newark, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":90000,"max":155000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":155000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":false},{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":false},{"name":"Oracle ERP","optional":false},{"name":"Outlook","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-06T15:25:42Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-06","last_verified_at":"2026-11-13T08:16:18Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":7,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":7},"description":"Move Forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you’ll join us in transforming the third-largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets our customers to their destinations on time- and we’re looking to hire talented folks with a commitment to excellence.\nSummary\nLeads and executes procurements under the direction of Procurement & Logistics Department management. Interact professionally with executive level stakeholders and management.\nSolicitation Management Responsibilities\n1. Solicitations assigned to Lead Contract Specialists typically are large sized procurements; very large volume procurements across a category; category-wide solicitations; or significant activities within a mega-project solicitation.\n2. Works with stakeholders to develop procurement category strategies for more routine type procurements.\n3. Researches and conforms specifications for services, goods, or equipment for Solicitations (Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs)).\n4. Reviews the proposed specifications, contract awards, change orders and amendments including justification memoranda for conformance with applicable regulations and consistency with procurement process of other contract specialists on the team. Coordinates review of IFB and RFP packages by appropriate departments, advises project manager of review results.\n5. Conducts bid and proposal processes. Establishes and maintains procurement schedules. Performs prequalification appraisals. Coordinates technical evaluation committees. Distributes bid and proposal packages, and communicates with vendors, contractors and consultants. Tabulates bids and proposals.\n6. Reviews, analyzes, and appraises bids and proposals. Performs cost and price analyses. Negotiates scopes of service, direct and indirect costs, fees, and terms and conditions. Prepares Cost Analysis and Negotiation documentation and recommends contract award.\n7. Tracks procurements through the Board process to contract award. Prepares Procurement fact sheets for Board Liaison.\n8. Coordinates contract approval and execution process.\n9. Issues Purchase Orders (POs) against Requisitions in support of procurements or for stand-alone small purchases.\n10. Assures that all required documents, representations, and certifications are properly executed and attached to Pos and associated files as required.\nContract Management Responsibilities\n1. Tracks expiration dates of current contracts and updates specifications to re-procure in a timely manner.\n2. Reviews, analyzes, and appraises contract changes, disputes and claims in accordance with Federal, State and NJTRANSIT procurement rules and regulations. Evaluates entitlement and conducts cost analyses. Negotiates change orders and claim settlements. Assembles and prepares justification documentation and recommends execution of contract amendments.\n3. Issues changes to POs against Requisitions in support of changes.\n4. Performs contract administration in conformance with FTA and State regulations. Interprets contract terms and conditions, maintains documentation, and coordinates issues with appropriate departments. Monitors contract performance and compliance with terms and conditions. Performs closeout of contracts.\n5. Tracks change orders through the Board process to execution.\nSystems of Record Responsibilities\n6. Performs all duties within the currently approved systems of record or, where manual processes are employed, properly maintains documents in conformance with document control policies.\n7. Provides feedback and input on planned or new systems.\nTraining Responsibilities\n8. Remain current on all required training.\n9. Create a development plan for your career.\n10. Seeks out and gains training to increase proficiency in procurement, procurement categories, or other appropriate topics.\n11. Coaches and advises others in the conduct of procurements and subsequent contract administration.\nLeadership Responsibilities\n12. Develops expertise in the requirements of one or more procurement categories such as IT, capital project, professional services and/or rolling stock purchase or rolling stock spare parts\n13. Supervise others’ work in the execution of certain larger procurements.\n14. Provides advice to the leadership of the Procurement & Logistics Department within the areas of expertise and assignment.\nOther Responsibilities\n15. Plans, tracks, reports on work activities with the end result being professional, transparent, efficient execution of duties.\n16. Provides both proactive and prompt responsive customer service to client departments on their procurements.\n17. Develops and maintains professional working relationships with key business partners to fully understand business needs, plan for future work, advise on engagement with procurement, and mitigate interdepartmental problems.\n18. Leads and organizes customer service meetings for clients within the team’s portfolios. Runs reports to track the team’s progress in order to ensure deliverables and timelines are met.\n19. Performs other duties as assigned by Procurement Leadership.\nEducation, Experience and Qualifications\nBachelor's degree and 8 years of related experience.\nOne year of closely related work experience can be substituted for each year of education required.\nMaster's Degree, Professional License, or Certification.\nThe degree(s) must be in Business, Public Administration, Law, Engineering, Economics, IT or\nrelated degree.\n3 years of experience within the procurement category identified for this position if applicable.\nGovernment sector experience preferred.\nKnowledge and Skills\nTechnology - Must be able to work proficiently in the following Systems of Record: ECMS, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Access Databases, Excel Spreadsheets, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Teams), Adobe, Oracle ERP, Kronos, Bid Express, and other systems in use or under development. Systems may change over time.\nCommunication\nMust be able to understand active listening and have excellent written and verbal communication skills required.\n\nMust be able to develop and deliver professional presentations.\n\nLeadership - Must have experience interacting with executive leadership.\nProcurement\nMust be able to adhere to KPIs.\n\nMust have experience with scheduling and cost analysis.\n\nMust have experience with Strategic Sourcingor Supplier Relationship Management or government procurement.\n\nMust be experienced in Contract Writing and Negotiations.\n\nMust understand the regulatory and statutory basis for public procurements.\nAt NJ Transit, you will enjoy a competitive salary and excellent benefits package:\nComprehensive Family Health Insurance - Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision\n\nFlexible Spending Account\n\nLife Insurance\n\nPaid Leave\n\nTuition Assistance\n\nPre-Tax Commuter Benefits Plan\n\nRetirement Plans\n\n401(a) - Retirement plan with a 6% employer contribution\n\n401(k) - Retirement saving plan with up to an 3% company match\n\n457(b) - Deferred Savings Plan\n\nNJ TRANSIT is an\nEqual Opportunity Employer.\nJob Location\nCity: Newark\nState: NJ\nSalary Range: $90,000 - $155,000\n Solicitation Management ResponsibilitiesSolicitations assigned to Lead Contract Specialists typically are large sized procurements; very large volume procurements across a category; category-wide solicitations; or significant activities within a mega-project solicitation.\nWorks with stakeholders to develop procurement category strategies for more routine type procurements.\nResearches and conforms specifications for services, goods, or equipment for Solicitations (Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations for Bids (IFBs)).\nReviews the proposed specifications, contract awards, change orders and amendments including justification memoranda for conformance with applicable regulations and consistency with procurement process of other contract specialists on the team. Coordinates review of IFB and RFP packages by appropriate departments, advises project manager of review results.\nConducts bid and proposal processes. Establishes and maintains procurement schedules. Performs prequalification appraisals. Coordinates technical evaluation committees. Distributes bid and proposal packages, and communicates with vendors, contractors and consultants. Tabulates bids and proposals.\nReviews, analyzes, and appraises bids and proposals. Performs cost and price analyses. Negotiates scopes of service, direct and indirect costs, fees, and terms and conditions. Prepares Cost Analysis and Negotiation documentation and recommends contract award.\nTracks procurements through the Board process to contract award. Prepares Procurement fact sheets for Board Liaison.\nCoordinates contract approval and execution process.\nIssues Purchase Orders (POs) against Requisitions in support of procurements or for stand-alone small purchases.\nAssures that all required documents, representations, and certifications are properly executed and attached to Pos and associated files as required.\n\nContract Management ResponsibilitiesTracks expiration dates of current contracts and updates specifications to re-procure in a timely manner.\nReviews, analyzes, and appraises contract changes, disputes and claims in accordance with Federal, State and NJTRANSIT procurement rules and regulations. Evaluates entitlement and conducts cost analyses. Negotiates change orders and claim settlements. Assembles and prepares justification documentation and recommends execution of contract amendments.\nIssues changes to POs against Requisitions in support of changes.\nPerforms contract administration in conformance with FTA and State regulations. Interprets contract terms and conditions, maintains documentation, and coordinates issues with appropriate departments. Monitors contract performance and compliance with terms and conditions. Performs closeout of contracts.\nTracks change orders through the Board process to execution.\n\nSystems of Record ResponsibilitiesPerforms all duties within the currently approved systems of record or, where manual processes are employed, properly maintains documents in conformance with document control policies.\nProvides feedback and input on planned or new systems.\n\nTraining ResponsibilitiesRemain current on all required training.\nCreate a development plan for your career.\nSeeks out and gains training to increase proficiency in procurement, procurement categories, or other appropriate topics.\nCoaches and advises others in the conduct of procurements and subsequent contract administration.\n\nLeadership ResponsibilitiesDevelops expertise in the requirements of one or more procurement categories such as IT, capital project, professional services and/or rolling stock purchase or rolling stock spare parts\nSupervise others’ work in the execution of certain larger procurements.\nProvides advice to the leadership of the Procurement & Logistics Department within the areas of expertise and assignment.\n\nOther ResponsibilitiesPlans, tracks, reports on work activities with the end result being professional, transparent, efficient execution of duties.\nProvides both proactive and prompt responsive customer service to client departments on their procurements.\nDevelops and maintains professional working relationships with key business partners to fully understand business needs, plan for future work, advise on engagement with procurement, and mitigate interdepartmental problems.\nLeads and organizes customer service meetings for clients within the team’s portfolios. Runs reports to track the team’s progress in order to ensure deliverables and timelines are met.\nPerforms other duties as assigned by Procurement Leadership\n\n Bachelors degree and 8 years of related experience or any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience\nMasters degree, Professional License, or Certification preferred.\nThe degree(s) must be in Business, Public Administration, Law, Engineering, Economics, IT or related degree area.\n3 years of experi...","description_format":"text","description_chars":13040,"description_truncated":true,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Health insurance","Life insurance","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Public Transport","Rail Transport"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-06T17:49:22Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":85,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.896,"p_room":0.945,"age_days":5,"expected_fill_days":12,"reasons":["conf:2","velocity","win:mid"],"computed_at":"2026-11-12T10:38:37Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":155000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/nj-transit-lead-contract-specialist","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/nj-transit-lead-contract-specialist.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-13T20:38:40Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":41151,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-14T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1762265},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1762265"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fnj-transit-lead-contract-specialist"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"free","price":{"credits":0,"usd":0},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fnj-transit-lead-contract-specialist"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fnj-transit-lead-contract-specialist"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/nj-transit-lead-contract-specialist\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fnj-transit-lead-contract-specialist"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3880201}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"njtransit.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3880201},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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