From designing circuits to managing projects to deciphering contracts
I began my career as an engineer and progressed to a technical lead role. After completing my part-time MBA, I transitioned into more strategic roles, including Product Management, where I defined product road-maps and delivered them to end customers. Along the way, I gained experience in Project Management and tender bidding. While managing projects and bids, I developed a keen interest in contracts and gradually gained expertise in contract management, as well as handling commercial and procurement-related matters. My strong technical and project management background has been invaluable in delivering contract management for highly technical projects, allowing me to effectively communicate with Project Managers, Financial Controllers, Planners, and technical teams.
I ensure that Alstom's interests and rights are protected.
I oversee and manage all contractual matters to safeguard Alstom's interests. I provide consultation and advice to the project team on issues related to scope disputes, potential delays, and claims. Among our achievements, our team secured approval for an Extension of Time exceeding 600 days, preventing significant LADs and securing acceptance of a sizeable cost claim. We successfully handled and mitigated other stakeholder claims against Alstom and revitalized dormant claims to enhance the overall gross margin. Additionally, I am recognised as a trainer for the APAC region, responsible for training colleagues on contractual matters.
Expecting a new surprise or challenge.
In such projects, you always have to be on your toes, staying alert to new challenges that arise and quickly finding ways to manage and mitigate issues. It's essential to work proactively, building both offensive and defensive cases. Sometimes, thinking outside the box is necessary to navigate deep waters and reach the end goal. This involves digging deep into resources and insights from colleagues to identify and implement the best strategy moving forward.
Never be too proud or shy to ask and learn.
You achieve the best results when you can leverage and assimilate inputs from all parties and extract experience from your work partners. Don't reinvent the wheel if it already exists. Instead, innovate and improvise the approach to produce the best results.
Secured a critical Extension of Time, enabling cost avoidance of LADs.
I have successfully managed claims from vendors and clients, building strong cases for rejecting non-valid claims and rigorously questioning and managing valid claims to ensure their accuracy. I have also developed cases for delays caused by vendors and initiated notifications of step-in or reservation of rights due to vendors' inability to deliver complete solutions. My contract management experience includes reviewing and proposing contract clauses, as well as identifying key contract and technical terms in relation to contractual correspondence.
