The Supply Chain Senior Contract Specialist leads the development, negotiation, execution, and management of complex supply chain contracts across Connecticut Children's and its affiliates. As a subject matter expert in healthcare contracting and strategic sourcing, this role drives value in supplier agreements while ensuring compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements. Working in partnership with Supply Chain leadership, clinical stakeholders, legal counsel, and vendors, this role advances sourcing initiatives, strengthens contract lifecycle practices, and supports cost optimization. The Senior Contract Specialist also identifies opportunities for supply standardization, utilization efficiency, and expense reduction to support operational and clinical priorities.
Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children's offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.
At Connecticut Children's, treating children isn't just our job - it's our passion. As a leading children's health system experiencing steady growth, we're excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children's health and well-being as one team.
Education and/or Experience Required:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field
- Experience:
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in supply chain contracting, strategic sourcing, procurement, or healthcare vendor negotiations.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating complex vendor agreements and managing contract lifecycle processes.
Education and/or Experience Preferred:
- Education: Master's degree in business or related field
- Experience:
- Experience in healthcare supply chain operations
- Experience working with GPO contracting structures (Vizient or similar)
License and/or Certification Required:
License and/or Certification Preferred:
- Certified Materials & Resource Professional (CMRP).
- Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM).
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge:
- Advanced knowledge of healthcare supply chain contracting practices, including contract lifecycle management, pricing structures, and supplier negotiations.
- Knowledge of procurement systems, contract management tools, and supply chain data analytics platforms.
- Understanding of healthcare regulatory requirements, contract compliance standards, and vendor management practices.
- Knowledge of group purchasing organization (GPO) structures and contract optimization strategies.
Skills:
- Advanced vendor negotiation and contract drafting skills, including complex and high-value agreements.
- Strong analytical and financial modeling skills to support sourcing strategies and cost optimization.
- Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Ability to synthesize market data, utilization trends, and financial insights to support decision-making.
Abilities:
- Interpret and apply complex legal, financial, and operational contract language.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with clinical, operational, legal, finance, and supply chain stakeholders.
- Evaluate sourcing opportunities and translate data insights into strategic contracting decisions.
- Able to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- Exercise sound judgment and problem-solving in negotiations and vendor-related matters.
Contract Development & Negotiation-50%
- Lead negotiation and administration of complex vendor agreements, including supply contracts, service agreements, capital equipment contracts, and statements of work.
- Analyze contract terms to evaluate financial, operational, and legal impact.
- Partner with legal counsel to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
- Structure agreements to include appropriate protections, service levels, pricing models, escalation provisions, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Serve as the primary liaison among vendors, Supply Chain, legal, and internal stakeholders to drive timely contract execution.
Strategic Sourcing, Value Analysis & Cost Optimization-25%
- Support sourcing initiatives through market research, benchmarking, and financial analysis to identify savings opportunities.
- Lead RFP/RFQ development and facilitate vendor evaluation and selection processes.
- Synthesize bid data and guide structured decision-making with clinical and operational stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for supply standardization using utilization and spend insights.
- Apply understanding of healthcare supply chain economics and GPO structures to inform sourcing strategies and contract decisions.
- Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders and Value Analysis teams to evaluate product and service alternatives.
- Facilitate discussions on product standardization and new product introductions.
- Support product conversion initiatives aligned with GPO and sourcing strategies.
- Contribute to departmental cost reduction strategies and execution plans.
Contract Lifecycle Management, Analytics & Performance Monitoring-15%
- Maintain contract repository integrity, ensuring accurate documentation and execution.
- Monitor vendor performance and contract compliance, addressing discrepancies as needed.
- Proactively manage renewals, amendments, and expirations.
- Partner with procurement and analytics teams to ensure pricing accuracy and adherence to negotiated terms.
- Leverage supply chain systems and analytics tools to evaluate utilization trends, vendor performance, and cost drivers.
- Develop reporting and dashboards to monitor contract compliance and financial outcomes.
- Track and communicate savings achieved through sourcing and contract optimization efforts.
Vendor Relationship Management & Stakeholder Support-10%
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with vendors, suppliers, and group purchasing organizations.
- Hold vendors accountable to contractual commitments related to service, pricing, and performance.
- Resolve contract-related issues and commercial disputes effectively.
- Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on contracting processes and procurement best practices.
Performs Other Duties as Assigned
Contract Development & Negotiation-50%
- Lead negotiation and administration of complex vendor agreements, including supply contracts, service agreements, capital equipment contracts, and statements of work.
- Analyze contract terms to evaluate financial, operational, and legal impact.
- Partner with legal counsel to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
- Structure agreements to include appropriate protections, service levels, pricing models, escalation provisions, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Serve as the primary liaison among vendors, Supply Chain, legal, and internal stakeholders to drive timely contract execution.
Strategic Sourcing, Value Analysis & Cost Optimization-25%
- Support sourcing initiatives through market research, benchmarking, and financial analysis to identify savings opportunities.
- Lead RFP/RFQ development and facilitate vendor evaluation and selection processes.
- Synthesize bid data and guide structured decision-making with clinical and operational stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for supply standardization using utilization and spend insights.
- Apply understanding of healthcare supply chain economics and GPO structures to inform sourcing strategies and contract decisions.
- Collaborate with clinical and operational leaders and Value Analysis teams to evaluate product and service alternatives.
- Facilitate discussions on product standardization and new product introductions.
- Support product conversion initiatives aligned with GPO and sourcing strategies.
- Contribute to departmental cost reduction strategies and execution plans.
Contract Lifecycle Management, Analytics & Performance Monitoring-15%
- Maintain contract repository integrity, ensuring accurate documentation and execution.
- Monitor vendor performance and contract compliance, addressing discrepancies as needed.
- Proactively manage renewals, amendments, and expirations.
- Partner with procurement and analytics teams to ensure pricing accuracy and adherence to negotiated terms.
- Leverage supply chain systems and analytics tools to evaluate utilization trends, vendor performance, and cost drivers.
- Develop reporting and dashboards to monitor contract compliance and financial outcomes.
- Track and communicate savings achieved through sourcing and contract optimization efforts.
Vendor Relationship Management & Stakeholder Support-10%
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with vendors, suppliers, and group purchasing organizations.
- Hold vendors accountable to contractual commitments related to service, pricing, and performance.
- Resolve contract-related issues and commercial disputes effectively.
- Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on contracting processes and procurement best practices.
Performs Other Duties as Assigned