Role Overview. The Senior Commercial Contracts Manager is a senior, enterprise-level commercial leader responsible for managing and governing high-value, strategically critical contracts that support Duke Energy’s largest material, equipment, and services suppliers. This role plays a pivotal part in ensuring supplier performance, commercial compliance, and value realization across a complex, multi-site operating environment. Serving as the primary commercial interface between Duke Energy and one of its largest material suppliers, this position works extensively across distribution centers, generation facilities, and operations centers to ensure contracts are executed in a manner that supports reliability, cost effectiveness, and operational performance. The role carries both strategic and operational accountabilities, including direct oversight of supplier performance and leadership of a large contingent workforce. Responsibilities Strategic Commercial Contract Leadership. Provide senior-level commercial leadership for services, equipment supply, and material contracts, ensuring alignment to contractual obligations, business objectives, and enterprise risk standards. Interpret, assess, and enforce complex commercial agreements, including pricing structures, incentives, penalties, service levels, and non-commercial contractual requirements. Own commercial contract governance throughout contract execution, proactively identifying and mitigating risk, gaps, or misalignment. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management. Act as the commercial single point of contact for a strategically important, enterprise-wide material supplier. Establish, monitor, and enforce supplier performance expectations, including cost, service levels, compliance, and continuous improvement commitments. Lead structured performance reviews, corrective action planning, and value-capture initiatives. Manage commercial alignment across multiple distribution centers, generation sites, and operations centers, balancing local needs with enterprise objectives. Provide oversight and leadership for approximately 34 contract workers, ensuring effective resource utilization, compliance, and performance consistency. Change Management, Claims & Dispute Resolution. Lead commercial evaluation and governance of contract changes, claims, change orders, and disputes. Coordinate resolution efforts by partnering with Legal, Risk Management, Supply Chain leadership, and senior Business Unit stakeholders. Ensure all commercial decisions are well-documented, contractually sound, and aligned with Duke Energy’s financial and operational priorities. Procurement, Category & Business Partnership. Apply a strong understanding of procurement and category management principles to support sourcing strategies and long-term supplier value. Partner closely with category managers, sourcing teams, and operational leaders to ensure commercial agreements enable supply assurance, flexibility, and cost discipline. Provide commercial insights that influence sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and contract structures. Transformation & Continuous Improvement. Bring a transformation mindset to commercial contract management by identifying opportunities for process improvement, simplification, and cost savings. Leverage data, performance trends, and operational feedback to recommend enhancements to commercial frameworks, governance models, and supplier engagement approaches. Champion continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and enhance collaboration across internal teams and suppliers. Collaboration & Leadership. Operate effectively in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment involving Operations, Generation, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, Risk Management, and senior leadership. Foster strong working relationships built on trust, accountability, and clear communication. Serve as a role model for commercial discipline, professional judgment, and enterprise thinking. What Success Looks Like in This Role. Suppliers consistently meet or exceed contractual and performance expectations. Commercial risks are identified early and actively managed. Contracts deliver measurable value, not just compliance. Stakeholders view this role as a trusted commercial advisor and partner. Opportunities for efficiency, improvement, and savings are actively surfaced and pursued. Required/ Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, OR Business 5 years related work experience. In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 5 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/ GED AND 9 year(s) related work experience. Desired Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management. Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and/or Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM)Additional Preferred Qualifications. Strong working knowledge of Business Unit Partner Operations. Demonstrated knowledge of Commercial Contract Management. Demonstrated knowledge of Sourcing and Commercial Risk areas. CPM and/or CPIM certification. Vendor management & process improvement experience. Management experience. Specific Requirements. Bachelors 5 yrs experience ORAssociates 7 yrs experience ORHS/ GED 9 yrs experience 5 years of demonstrated work experience (Project Management, Sourcing, Commercial Contract Management, etc.)Demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence internal business partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated effective planning/organizational skills. Demonstrated effective problem solving/analytical skills.