About Zeeco:
Zeeco is a global leader in designing and manufacturing advanced combustion and environmental solutions for the petroleum, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, LNG, power, and industrial process sectors. Our product portfolio includes ultra-low emission burners, vapor recovery units (VRUs), flare systems, thermal oxidizers, hazardous waste incinerators, fired heaters, and other engineered process equipment.
Headquartered near Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA), Zeeco operates one of the world's largest combustion research and testing facilities alongside a state-of-the-art manufacturing campus. With engineering, manufacturing, and service operations across the globe, Zeeco delivers innovative, reliable, and sustainable solutions to customers worldwide.
At Zeeco, we foster innovation, technical excellence, and continuous professional growth. Employees are given opportunities to work on challenging global projects while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
Position Overview:
Zeeco is seeking an experienced Contracts Engineer to manage end-to-end procurement and contract administration activities for fabrication and allied industrial services supporting project execution.
The role requires strong techno-commercial expertise in procurement, contract management, vendor development, and commercial negotiations. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing qualified service providers, administering contracts, ensuring timely execution of services, and supporting cost-effective project delivery while maintaining compliance with company standards and contractual obligations.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement & Contract Management:
Manage the complete procurement lifecycle for fabrication and industrial service contracts, including:
Fabrication services
Blasting and painting services
Packaging and logistics
Equipment rental (cranes, rolling, forming, bending, and other specialized machinery)
Transportation and logistics services
Industrial manpower supply contracts
Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer service contracts in accordance with project specifications, company procedures, and commercial requirements.
Ensure contractual compliance with technical specifications, commercial terms, statutory regulations, and internal procurement policies.
Coordinate with Engineering, Planning, Projects, Manufacturing, QA/QC, and Finance teams throughout the procurement cycle.
Monitor contract execution to ensure adherence to agreed scope, timelines, commercial terms, and quality expectations.
Vendor Development & Supplier Management:
Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop local and regional vendors to strengthen the approved supplier base.
Conduct vendor capability assessments covering:
Technical competency
Manufacturing capability
Financial stability
Quality systems
Infrastructure and resource availability
Delivery performance
Maintain and continuously update the Approved Vendor List (AVL).
Monitor vendor performance through key performance indicators including quality, delivery, cost competitiveness, responsiveness, safety, and contractual compliance.
Drive continuous vendor performance improvement initiatives and establish long-term strategic supplier relationships.
RFQ & Tendering Process:
Review Purchase Requisitions (PRs) and service requirements received from Project, Planning, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams.
Clarify technical scope, commercial requirements, and execution methodology with internal stakeholders before floating enquiries.
Prepare and issue Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to qualified vendors.
Obtain competitive quotations while ensuring complete compliance with technical and commercial requirements.
Perform comprehensive techno-commercial evaluations of vendor quotations.
Prepare detailed comparative statements and recommendation reports.
Analyze cost structures, pricing trends, and procurement opportunities to achieve cost optimization without compromising quality or delivery commitments.
Commercial Negotiation & Order Finalization:
Lead commercial negotiations with vendors covering:
Pricing
Payment terms
Delivery schedules
Liquidated Damages (LD) clauses
Warranty obligations
Taxes and duties
Commercial risks
Contractual obligations
Finalize contract terms in alignment with company objectives, project schedules, and risk mitigation requirements.
Prepare and issue Purchase Orders (POs), Service Orders, and Work Orders after obtaining all required internal approvals.
Ensure contractual documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with organizational procurement standards.
Order Execution, Expediting & Contract Administration:
Monitor vendor progress to ensure timely execution of contracted services in accordance with project schedules.
Coordinate with QA/QC, Projects, Planning, Manufacturing, Stores, and Engineering teams to resolve execution-related issues.
Track service completion milestones and ensure compliance with contractual deliverables.
Manage contract variations, deviations, change orders, claims, and commercial correspondence throughout project execution.
Support timely resolution of contractual disputes while protecting company interests.
Documentation, Compliance & Cost Control:
Maintain complete procurement documentation, contract records, commercial correspondence, and historical cost databases.
Develop and maintain vendor performance records for future procurement decisions.
Maintain cost benchmarking data to support strategic sourcing initiatives and commercial negotiations.
Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, statutory regulations, and audit requirements.
Support internal and external audits by providing complete procurement and contract documentation.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
5 to 12 years of relevant experience in procurement and contract management within the Oil & Gas, Fired Equipment, Process Equipment, EPC, Heavy Engineering, or Manufacturing sectors.
Strong understanding of fabrication processes, welding, machining, surface preparation, coating systems, heavy equipment handling, and industrial service procurement.
Proven experience in managing high-value service contracts and project-based procurement activities.
Hands-on experience in vendor sourcing, qualification, development, and performance management.
Strong knowledge of contract drafting, interpretation, and contract administration.
Thorough understanding of commercial terms and conditions, including Incoterms, payment terms, Liquidated Damages (LD) clauses, warranty clauses, retention provisions, and contractual risk management.
Experience in techno-commercial evaluation, cost analysis, and commercial benchmarking.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to prioritize multiple procurement activities and work effectively under project-driven schedules.
Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for procurement reporting and commercial analysis.
