What does a subcontracts manager do?
The job of a subcontract manager is to develop and negotiate subcontracts, arrange payments, and analyze sales records. You will be responsible for evaluating employee performance and monitoring supply changes using your contract management skills and administrative expertise. Other duties include overseeing the agreement between subcontractors and your company, researching and evaluating supplies, and monitoring the shipment of goods. This role will also require you to participate in bidder's conferences and seminars, develop subcontract terms and conditions, and oversee the hiring of purchasing clerks and buyers.
Subcontracts manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real subcontracts manager resumes:
- Manage CPFF and FFP subcontracts - including classify subcontracts.
- Negotiate and manage several large dollar, high visibility DOD subcontracts.
- Manage administrative support, handle payroll, develop company policies and procedures manual.
- Formulate organizational and operational plans, grants, contracts and procedures for achieving Medicaid program goals.
- Collect cross-functional data, prepare presentation material, lead executive meetings and coordinate logistics in Asia and San Diego.
- Perform strategic sourcing and supplier management for DOD subcontracts and services through negotiations and contract and spend management techniques.
- Ensure that all contracts are compliant with public law policies, company business procedures, and import/export regulations (ITAR).
- Coordinate ITAR reviews/actions of document distribution to subcontractors.
- Authore and develop RFP documents for subcontract activities.
- Ensure compliance with RFP requirements while adhering to company policy and establish practices to mitigate risks accordingly.
- Collect cross-functional data, prepare presentation material, lead executive meetings and coordinate logistics in Asia and San Diego.
- Coordinate personnel and payroll transactions and prepared/submit appropriate paperwork.
- Create applicable cost models for assign commodities and ensure that commodity meets or exceeds the necessary delivery performance.
Subcontracts manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Subcontracts Managers are proficient in Program Management, Price Analysis, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Negotiating skills.
We break down the percentage of Subcontracts Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Program Management, 8%
Collaborated with all business units to drive consistent subcontracting and maintain a strong focus on program management and performance-based supplier relationships.
- Price Analysis, 7%
Leveraged cost and price analysis experience with domestic and international suppliers, referencing Commercial Contracts Terms and Conditions.
- Project Management, 6%
Supported Construction Management Team to facilitate all communication with Construction Supplier and global Project Management Supplier.
- Supplier Performance, 6%
Managed compliance with all corporate/public law requirements, policies/procedures, import/export regulations and supplier performance.
- Purchase Orders, 5%
Formed cross-functional team to construct standardized policies and procedures for the entire division governing all purchase order and long-term agreement activity.
- Government Regulations, 4%
Ensured subcontracts were in accordance with legal requirements, customer specifications and government regulations.
Most subcontracts managers use their skills in "program management," "price analysis," and "project management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential subcontracts manager responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a subcontracts manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what subcontracts managers do because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a subcontracts manager resume shows how subcontracts managers use analytical skills: "analyze prime contract requirements to determine applicability to subcontractors including far/dfar and ucc regulations. "
Math skills. Many subcontracts manager duties rely on math skills. "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must possess math skills," so a subcontracts manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways subcontracts manager responsibilities rely on math skills: "issued adjusting entries, evaluated budgets and trends, and produced quantitative/qualitative reports for executive management. "
Negotiating skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of subcontracts managers is negotiating skills. This skill is critical to many everyday subcontracts manager duties, as "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "experienced in drafting rfps, negotiating subcontracts and managing subcontractor performance provide cost and price analysis techniques. "
The three companies that hire the most subcontracts managers are:
- Raytheon Technologies48 subcontracts managers jobs
- Deloitte29 subcontracts managers jobs
- Lockheed Martin17 subcontracts managers jobs
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Compare different subcontracts managers
Subcontracts manager vs. Director, procurement
The responsibilities of a procurement director revolve around ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of supplies within the company, developing procurement strategies for optimal services and operations, assessing risks, and overseeing the implementation of new policies and regulations in the company. It is essential to coordinate with analysts to identify areas with potential opportunities or those needing improvements. Moreover, a director, procurement may directly communicate with stakeholders or higher-ranking officials, participate in recruiting new members of the workforce, and create programs for profit growth and significant results.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a subcontracts manager are more likely to require skills like "program management," "project management," "government regulations," and "dod." On the other hand, a job as a director, procurement requires skills like "continuous improvement," "logistics," "customer service," and "lean manufacturing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors, procurement really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $148,169. Comparatively, subcontracts managers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,361.directors, procurement tend to reach similar levels of education than subcontracts managers. In fact, directors, procurement are 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Subcontracts manager vs. Manager of purchasing & materials
A director of purchasing oversees the procedures related to buying resources and supplies, directing operations from planning to execution while adhering to standards and company policies. They primarily perform research and assessments to understand project needs in terms of price, quality, and delivery time. They also identify ideal suppliers, negotiate deals, and build positive business relationships. Additionally, a director of purchasing has the authority to make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities among staff, oversee employment procedures within the department, and solve issues and concerns when any arise.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real subcontracts manager resumes. While subcontracts manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "program management," "price analysis," "project management," and "government regulations," managers of purchasing & materials use skills like "inventory control," "logistics," "r," and "materials management."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managers of purchasing & materials tend to reach lower levels of education than subcontracts managers. In fact, they're 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Subcontracts manager vs. Director of purchasing
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from subcontracts manager resumes include skills like "program management," "project management," "government regulations," and "dod," whereas a director of purchasing is more likely to list skills in "supply chain," "product development," "vendor relations," and "logistics. "
Directors of purchasing earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $119,626. Subcontracts managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $99,361.Most directors of purchasing achieve a lower degree level compared to subcontracts managers. For example, they're 7.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Subcontracts manager vs. Supply officer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between subcontracts managers and supply officers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a subcontracts manager might have more use for skills like "program management," "price analysis," "project management," and "supplier performance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of supply officers require skills like "logistics support," "financial management," "food service," and "inventory control. "
In general, supply officers hold lower degree levels compared to subcontracts managers. Supply officers are 7.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of subcontracts manager
Updated January 8, 2025
