Interim Support

Interim Contract Manager for Capital Projects and Operations

Senior contracts and procurement capacity within your project team, for a defined period and effective from the first week.

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When Interim Support Makes Sense

Experienced Capacity at the Moments That Matter

A pre-FID team needs a contract strategy, package structure and tender documentation, without a permanent contracts function yet in place.
A project enters tendering, award or early execution and lacks senior contracts and procurement capacity.
A key contract manager leaves during a project and continuity is needed quickly.
A turnaround or shutdown requires dedicated contracting and contractor coordination.
Existing MRO contracts are due for renewal and need to be restructured around performance and cost efficiency.

Interim Roles

Roles Ernst Typically Fulfils

Based on more than 30 years in contracting and procurement, including contract manager, purchasing manager and interim purchasing manager positions in industrial environments.

Interim Contract Manager

Responsible for contract strategy, tendering, contractor engagement and contract management on capital projects, from packaging through award to changes, claims and close-out.

Interim Procurement Manager

Leading procurement for projects or operational sites: sourcing strategies, MRO contracts, framework agreements and supplier performance management.

Contracts & Procurement Lead

Senior contracts lead within a pre-FID or project team, building the contracting model, tender plan and commercial governance toward FID and execution.

Where Interim Support Fits

The Right Interim Role for Each Phase, from Pre-FID to Operations

From contract strategy before FID to supplier performance in operations: the interim role follows the phase the project or asset is in.

1 DefineBusiness case · FEL 1–2

2 StructureProject definition · FEL 3

3 ExecuteTender, award & delivery

4 OperateOperations & MRO

Define & StructureContracts & Procurement LeadContract strategy, package structure and tender plan toward FID

Structure & ExecuteInterim Contract ManagerTendering, award, contract management, changes and claims

Execute & OperateInterim Procurement ManagerSourcing, MRO contracts, framework agreements and supplier performance

Phases follow the Front-End Loading (FEL) stage-gate model; in practice activities overlap, and tendering for major packages often starts before FID. See the full framework on the Expertise page.

Approach

How an Interim Assignment Works

Designed for continuity: effective quickly, and leaving the permanent organisation stronger at the end.

Intake & Scope

A short discussion to agree the role, responsibilities, reporting line, deliverables and expected duration.

Rapid Onboarding

A focused review of the contract position, open risks and upcoming decisions, so priorities are clear within the first weeks.

Embedded Delivery

Working as part of the project team: owning deliverables, preparing decisions and dealing directly with contractors and suppliers.

Structured Handover

Contract files, decisions and lessons learned documented and transferred to the permanent team, so knowledge stays in the organisation.

Relevant Experience

Experience Across Projects, Turnarounds and Operations

SettingRoleScope

First-of-a-kind circular pyrolysis plantContract ManagerContracting strategy, tendering and contractor engagement for construction

Portfolio of Dutch tank terminalsPurchasing Manager, 11+ yearsContracting strategies for brownfield and greenfield capex projects; MRO strategies across mechanical, civil, scaffolding, insulation and painting

Petrochemical complexSenior BuyerTender, contract development and contract coordination for a mechanical turnaround; MRO contracting for multiple sites

Industrial equipment rental companyInterim Purchasing ManagerRestructuring of purchasing processes

International refinery and petrochemical revampPurchasing ManagerProcurement, expediting, inspection and shipping; leading a team of seven

Experience

Sector Experience

Interim and advisory roles for owners, developers, EPC contractors and industrial operators across:

Renewables & Circular Economy Pilot & Demo Plants Power Generation Oil & Gas Petrochemical Tank Terminals & Liquid Bulk Industrial Manufacturing

Looking for an Interim Contract Manager?

Send a short description of the project, the role and the expected start date. You will receive a reply on availability and fit.

Email to Discuss Availability