Senior support for the contractual and commercial choices that determine risk, cost and execution, without the overhead of a large consultancy.
Email to Arrange an Introductory CallThe contractual choices with the greatest effect on a project are often made long before execution begins: before FID, when budgets are lean and specialist capacity is scarce, or in mid-sized projects that carry major-project complexity without the team to match.
In operational MRO environments the challenge is different. Not new structures, but sharper ones: maintenance and procurement aligned around a strategy that works in practice.
Three situations in which early, well-founded contractual choices pay off most.
Supporting investment teams in defining contract strategy, packaging, procurement approach and commercial principles before execution risk is embedded.
Helping project organisations strengthen contract structures, commercial alignment and tender execution during critical project phases.
Assessing maintenance contracts, supplier models and governance to improve operational performance and long-term collaboration.
Objective advice focused solely on the interests of your organisation.
More than 30 years of contracting and procurement experience across technically complex projects and operational environments.
From a single strategic review or practical strategy workshop to interim support within your project team.
Independent contract strategy and procurement advisor with more than 30 years of experience in contracting, tendering, commercial negotiations and contract governance. You work directly with him, from the first conversation to the final recommendation.
Get to know Ernst →Examples of contracting and procurement challenges Ernst has worked on, as advisor and in senior in-house roles.
An industrial innovation environment in which technology developers, scale-ups and industrial partners run pilot and demonstration projects side by side needed one framework allowing multiple organisations to operate safely, efficiently and in compliance with applicable regulations.
Designed the contractual framework, governance model and operating principles, working closely with executive management, legal counsel, engineering and permitting specialists.
Construction of an advanced plant converting plastic waste into circular pyrolysis oil, based on a new technology, required a contracting approach suited to a first-of-a-kind project.
Developed and executed the contracting strategy for construction, managed the contract processes and led tendering and contractor engagement.
Mechanical maintenance at multiple Dutch tank terminals ran on contracts that did not steer on performance or cost efficiency.
Renewed the mechanical contracts into performance- and cost-efficiency-driven unit-rate contracts, set up MRO strategies across disciplines, and implemented a contractor and supplier management programme based on contract KPIs.
“He brings all the skills that you need to the table: knowledge, negotiation skills and pragmatism. Moreover he has extensive network in the project execution market in The Netherlands.”
“Ernst’s contribution as procurement manager was critical to the success of the project. He combines strategic procurement expertise with a practical, hands-on approach, ensuring cost optimization and strong partnerships with local suppliers.”
“Ernst is a great professional to work with, skilled in the art of Contracting & Procurement but most of all energetic, pragmatic and service-oriented. He listens well to understand requirements vs. wishes, probes deep to uncover what was previously unknown and works hard to get it sharp in writing.”
Excerpts from recommendations on LinkedIn.
Supporting owners, developers, EPC contractors and industrial operators across:
Whether you are preparing for FID, strengthening a project organisation or improving existing contracts, an initial discussion usually clarifies where independent expertise adds most.
Get in Touch