SMA America
Why Work at SMA America
At SMA America, we believe in Energy that Changes. Since 1981, we’ve been developing innovative solar technology that simplifies, secures, and enhances the performance of photovoltaic systems — all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clean energy.
But we’re not just transforming power — we’re empowering people.
We’ve built a culture where bold ideas are welcomed, collaboration is second nature, and your career growth truly matters. With our Rocklin, CA headquarters as the hub, we offer a hybrid work model, competitive benefits, and a team‑driven environment where your impact is seen and felt.
Whether you’re a sales expert, service pro, or engineering innovator, if you’re ready to join a purpose‑driven team committed to shaping the future of energy — we’d love to meet you.
Purpose of the Position The Contract Manager is responsible for the management of the contract process and risks in accordance with SMA’s legal and compliance policies, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance. The Contract Manager is an essential and key position with high visibility within the organization and is integral member of the legal department.
Primary Duties / Responsibilities
Assist, strategize with, and advise sales team in developing approaches to successfully pursue and win business; assist in the analysis of profitability of the potential opportunity; assist the bid team and provide advice on the contractual and project risks and coordinate with stakeholders and risk owners including procurement, finance, sales, service, commercial project management and headquarters in analyzing the opportunity and risks.
Manage contract review, analysis and drafting of the terms and conditions and other documents relating to contract process to ensure consistency and completeness of contract terms and exhibits; ensure contract requirements/obligations are in compliance with SMA’s policies and processes, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance; manage the approval process prior to contract signatures and the contract signature process to ensure compliance with SMA’s policies including the approval policies and signature policies.
Manage the contracting process from the bid phase to project execution including creating handover documentation and training, supporting project management and finance by summarizing and tracking key contract terms and risk, assist with project reports and calculations including billing plans, which serve as a basis for decision making and project controls and project profitability.
Serve as key point of contact for legal, sales, finance, commercial project management, procurement, applications engineering, product management, service and other project‑oriented team members related to contract management and processes.
Maintain contracts drafts and ensure the archiving and accessibility of executed contracts.
Provide proactive, strategic and business‑oriented guidance and solutions to internal business teams on corporate initiatives and objectives relating to contract management.
Primarily responsible for negotiations; support development of negotiation strategies and coordinate with the negotiation team on complex contractual issues.
Assist in identification, development and implementation of new contract templates, policies and processes.
Prepare documentation related to contract and project management as a basis for decision making of senior management.
Actively participate in project reviews in support of project execution including supporting project profitability and budget; support project management and quality in interpreting contract requirements and obligations; manage the claims process, proactively identify and manage risk areas.
Provide strategic advice and contribute expertise and experience and proactively manage risk and help develop risk mitigation strategies as well as “lessons learned” to avoid identified project risks.
Support SMA’s business primarily in the U.S., Latin and South America and Canada.
Develop and advance strategies in support of the company’s position and perform complex analyses as needed.
Perform other duties as may be required or assigned.
Required Training (Type / Duration / Field / Additional Training)
Bachelor’s and/or a master’s degree in finance or business administration
Required Relevant Professional Experience (Type / Duration)
A qualification as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) is desirable
Current or past membership in the National Contract Manager’s Association (NCMA) would be a plus
+ 10 years’ work experience with construction projects and project management
+ 10 years’ work experience in contract management in:
Complex project related supply contracts
Master supply agreements
Distributor agreements
Complex multi‑year service and/or Operations & Maintenance (O&M) agreements
National and international sourcing agreement
+ 3 years’ work experience as financial analyst, project controller, or equivalent with a focus on conducting financial evaluations / generating decision proposals would be a strong plus.
Other Specialized Skills
Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking to assess the performance of suppliers against criteria such as conformance to the terms and conditions including quality, cost, reliability, ability to innovate and financial stability.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of staff and management, and, as needed, with client leadership and personnel.
Strong problem‑solving skills and strategic analysis.
Ability to provide proactive and pragmatic advice and a strategic advisor.
Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy required.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Fluency in English both written and verbal is required and proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese (preferred).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), WebEx, and Adobe Acrobat in combination with good general computer skills.
Experience with SAP R/3 is desirable.
Ability to successfully work in multifunctional teams.
Excellent project management skills and time management.
Strong customer orientation both internal and external.
This position may require periodic domestic and international travel.
We Offer
The salary range for this position is $104,000‑134,000 per year, dependent upon experience.
Comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage (including $0 premium options).
Dedicated Hybrid Schedule: In‑Office Tuesday and Thursdays; remote on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
401(k) plan with company match.
Opportunities for professional development and training.
Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
Our EEO Policy We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law. In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
Our Privacy Policy During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third‑party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants’ personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA’s staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. For unsuccessful job applicants, SMA may retain your application for internal records or for future recruitment purposes.
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the “CCPA”). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.
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But we’re not just transforming power — we’re empowering people.
We’ve built a culture where bold ideas are welcomed, collaboration is second nature, and your career growth truly matters. With our Rocklin, CA headquarters as the hub, we offer a hybrid work model, competitive benefits, and a team‑driven environment where your impact is seen and felt.
Whether you’re a sales expert, service pro, or engineering innovator, if you’re ready to join a purpose‑driven team committed to shaping the future of energy — we’d love to meet you.
Purpose of the Position The Contract Manager is responsible for the management of the contract process and risks in accordance with SMA’s legal and compliance policies, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance. The Contract Manager is an essential and key position with high visibility within the organization and is integral member of the legal department.
Primary Duties / Responsibilities
Assist, strategize with, and advise sales team in developing approaches to successfully pursue and win business; assist in the analysis of profitability of the potential opportunity; assist the bid team and provide advice on the contractual and project risks and coordinate with stakeholders and risk owners including procurement, finance, sales, service, commercial project management and headquarters in analyzing the opportunity and risks.
Manage contract review, analysis and drafting of the terms and conditions and other documents relating to contract process to ensure consistency and completeness of contract terms and exhibits; ensure contract requirements/obligations are in compliance with SMA’s policies and processes, risk management processes and commercial contract compliance; manage the approval process prior to contract signatures and the contract signature process to ensure compliance with SMA’s policies including the approval policies and signature policies.
Manage the contracting process from the bid phase to project execution including creating handover documentation and training, supporting project management and finance by summarizing and tracking key contract terms and risk, assist with project reports and calculations including billing plans, which serve as a basis for decision making and project controls and project profitability.
Serve as key point of contact for legal, sales, finance, commercial project management, procurement, applications engineering, product management, service and other project‑oriented team members related to contract management and processes.
Maintain contracts drafts and ensure the archiving and accessibility of executed contracts.
Provide proactive, strategic and business‑oriented guidance and solutions to internal business teams on corporate initiatives and objectives relating to contract management.
Primarily responsible for negotiations; support development of negotiation strategies and coordinate with the negotiation team on complex contractual issues.
Assist in identification, development and implementation of new contract templates, policies and processes.
Prepare documentation related to contract and project management as a basis for decision making of senior management.
Actively participate in project reviews in support of project execution including supporting project profitability and budget; support project management and quality in interpreting contract requirements and obligations; manage the claims process, proactively identify and manage risk areas.
Provide strategic advice and contribute expertise and experience and proactively manage risk and help develop risk mitigation strategies as well as “lessons learned” to avoid identified project risks.
Support SMA’s business primarily in the U.S., Latin and South America and Canada.
Develop and advance strategies in support of the company’s position and perform complex analyses as needed.
Perform other duties as may be required or assigned.
Required Training (Type / Duration / Field / Additional Training)
Bachelor’s and/or a master’s degree in finance or business administration
Required Relevant Professional Experience (Type / Duration)
A qualification as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) is desirable
Current or past membership in the National Contract Manager’s Association (NCMA) would be a plus
+ 10 years’ work experience with construction projects and project management
+ 10 years’ work experience in contract management in:
Complex project related supply contracts
Master supply agreements
Distributor agreements
Complex multi‑year service and/or Operations & Maintenance (O&M) agreements
National and international sourcing agreement
+ 3 years’ work experience as financial analyst, project controller, or equivalent with a focus on conducting financial evaluations / generating decision proposals would be a strong plus.
Other Specialized Skills
Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking to assess the performance of suppliers against criteria such as conformance to the terms and conditions including quality, cost, reliability, ability to innovate and financial stability.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of staff and management, and, as needed, with client leadership and personnel.
Strong problem‑solving skills and strategic analysis.
Ability to provide proactive and pragmatic advice and a strategic advisor.
Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy required.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Fluency in English both written and verbal is required and proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese (preferred).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), WebEx, and Adobe Acrobat in combination with good general computer skills.
Experience with SAP R/3 is desirable.
Ability to successfully work in multifunctional teams.
Excellent project management skills and time management.
Strong customer orientation both internal and external.
This position may require periodic domestic and international travel.
We Offer
The salary range for this position is $104,000‑134,000 per year, dependent upon experience.
Comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage (including $0 premium options).
Dedicated Hybrid Schedule: In‑Office Tuesday and Thursdays; remote on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
401(k) plan with company match.
Opportunities for professional development and training.
Inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
Our EEO Policy We are an equal opportunity employer and we make our employment decisions on the basis of merit and without regard to one’s race, color, creed, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity, religion, marital status, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability (includes HIV/Aids), medical condition (cancer, genetic characteristics), veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by law. In accordance with applicable law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, SMA will attempt to reasonably accommodate qualified applicants with known disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on SMA. Any qualified applicant with a disability who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job for which he or she is applying should identify the accommodation(s) needed in the application.
Our Privacy Policy During your job application or recruitment process with us: (a) SMA may collect your personal information directly from you, such as when you submit your application and resume on our online portal or when you have job interviews with us. We may also obtain your personal information from third parties, including but not limited to your former employers, background or employment check service providers or third‑party recruiters; and, (b) SMA may use or process applicants’ personal information for relevant purposes including but not limited to general communications with you, identity verification, background or employment checks, determination of eligibility, and making hiring decisions. For successful job applicants who become SMA’s staff, we may retain and integrate your personal information collected during the recruitment process into your records at SMA. For unsuccessful job applicants, SMA may retain your application for internal records or for future recruitment purposes.
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights regarding your personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended including by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and its implementing regulations (the “CCPA”). This Company Personnel and Covered Individuals Privacy Notice for California Residents issued by SMA is applicable to you and explains your CCPA rights and our collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.
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