Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office
Job Description
Join our team as a Contracts & Tender Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where you'll contribute to our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. In this position, you will lead and manage contract management activities for revenue-generating commercial and government-related contracts across our operations, while also providing leadership and direction to the contracts management team.
You’ll review, negotiate, and draft various commercial agreements while providing expert guidance on contractual risk to cross-functional teams. In addition, you will support the development of team capability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives across the function. Your responsibilities will include supporting RFP/RFQ responses, managing third-party channel relationships, and implementing process improvements through template standardisation and playbook development.
This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring contractual compliance while facilitating business growth. You’ll collaborate with legal, finance, sales, and business leadership teams to optimise contract processes, support commercial objectives, and maintain strong customer relationships.
Thermo Fisher Scientific recently announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its microbiology business to Astorg, a leading pan-European private equity firm with deep expertise in healthcare, focused on a select set of subsectors, including pharmaceutical services and technology, medtech and related services, life science tools and diagnostics.
This decision follows a thoughtful evaluation as part of Thermo Fisher’s ongoing business strategy to actively manage and strengthen our portfolio.
We expect the transaction will be completed in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals. Until the transaction is complete, Thermo Fisher will continue to operate the business.
If you join the microbiology business prior to the close of the transaction, your employment is expected to transition to Astorg.
For more information, please review:
Thermo Fisher’s press release
Key Responsibilities
Lead and develop a high-performing contracts management team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Provide coaching, mentoring, and guidance to team members to support professional development and succession planning
Support workload prioritisation and resource allocation across contract and tender activities
Review, negotiate, draft, and manage a broad range of commercial and government-related contracts
Provide expert guidance and risk assessment on contractual matters to cross-functional stakeholders
Support RFP/RFQ responses and contract negotiations for complex commercial opportunities
Drive consistency in contracting practices through leadership of standardisation initiatives and best practice sharing
Lead process improvement activities including template development, playbook creation, and workflow optimisation
Partner with cross-functional leaders to align contract strategy with broader commercial objectives
Identify opportunities to improve team efficiency, scalability, and customer experience
Act as a senior point of escalation for complex contractual and commercial matters
Champion a culture of customer focus, operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement
Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and third-party partners
Requirements
Advanced Degree plus 6 years of experience, or Bachelor’s Degree plus 8 years of experience in commercial and government contracts management, including contract negotiations and RFP activities
Preferred Fields of Study: Business, Law, or related field
Advanced certifications in contract management preferred
Advanced knowledge of federal and state contracting processes, including FAR compliance
Demonstrated experience managing complex, high-value international contracts
Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, or mentoring teams within a commercial, contracts, or operational environment
Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrix organisation
Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop others
Experience managing competing priorities whilst supporting team engagement and performance
Ability to drive organisational change and process improvement initiatives through effective leadership
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels
Strong analytical and risk assessment capabilities
Excellent project management and organisational skills
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
Experience with contract lifecycle management systems and Salesforce preferred
Ability to support international business needs
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
Knowledge of export compliance and international trade regulations
Demonstrated professional integrity and sound business judgment
Ability to succeed in a diverse, collaborative environment
Experience in life sciences or scientific instruments industry preferred
BENEFITS
We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!
