Contracts Manager − Commercial Contracts

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.
Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Paralegal/Contracts Manager with a strong background in contract administration and risk assessment. The ideal candidate will have 8–10 years of progressive experience in contract management and a proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate material contractual risks. This role requires deep expertise in general contract matters, including contract formation, negotiation, and management , as well as a keen eye for detail and strong business judgment.

Draft, review, and help negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including vendor, sales, service, technology, licensing, and nondisclosure agreements.
Identify potential risks associated with contracts, develop mitigation strategies, and work with the legal team to address any issues or disputes.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (sales, procurement, finance, and operations) to align contractual terms with business objectives.
Maintain contract templates, clause libraries, and standard negotiation playbooks to ensure consistency and compliance with company policies and desired business outcomes.
Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle, from initial draft through execution, renewal, or termination.
Track and monitor contract obligations, deadlines, and renewal dates using contract management systems.
Coordinate with legal staff.

Bachelor’s degree required; Experience: 8–10 years of experience in contract management, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior or lead role.
Experience in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts, including understanding of contract law and legal principles.
Demonstrated expertise in identifying and managing complex contractual risks, particularly in indemnification, liability limitations, and intellectual property rights.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey legal and business risks to non-legal stakeholders.
High level of attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously and prioritize tasks efficiently.
Proficiency in contract management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience in contract management and administration.
Familiarity with Salesforce and contract management software.
Familiarity with Uniform Commercial Code.
Strong understanding of the manufacturing industry and supply chain processes, including negotiating contracts with suppliers of raw materials, components or other necessary goods, and for the acquisition and maintenance of manufacturing equipment.
Familiarity with sales agreements, material purchase agreements, service agreements, and construction contracts, and contracts for the sale of goods produced by a manufacturer.
Familiarity with IT contracting, including in the areas of software licensing, cloud services, and professional services.
Familiarity with international contract law and cross-border transactions.
Project management experience or certification (e.g., PMP).

Base pay is only part of our total compensation package, which also includes an attractive annual discretionary bonus and robust suite of employee benefits for which you are eligible to participate in starting on your first day of employment.

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:
~ Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
~ Medical, dental and vision starting day one
~Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
~ Bundle of joy benefit (year's worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
~ First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.