Karen E. Barber
Carlsbad,CA
Summary
PROFILE
Dynamic and globally focused professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in structuring, negotiating, and closing complex government and commercial transactions. Recognized as a top-performing Subcontract Specialist, with exceptional leadership, effective communication, and outstanding technical skills across diverse industries, including aeronautics, construction, and energy production. Proven track record in strategic planning and risk mitigation that safeguards organizational interests while maximizing profitability. Successfully led negotiation teams to secure contracts exceeding $150M and managed programs generating an average of $1.4 billion in annual revenue. Expertise in international contracting, including compliance with ITAR regulations, has facilitated successful partnerships with numerous foreign governments and agencies.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SR. PRINCIPAL SUBCONTRACT SPECIALIST
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics
01.2021 - Current
- Supplier Management Team (SMT): Served as the GSC SCA of the SMT for the Triton and RQ-4 Programs
- Management pre-award and post award tasks for the purpose of procuring complex specialized components and services
- Supplier Risk Management: Supported the Integrated Product Team Lead and Program on resolving multiple
- MICAP situations involving an Aircraft on the Ground
- Managed Government Subcontracts, Government Commercial and Direct Commercial Sales
- Served as Commercial Determination (CD) Point of Contact assisting team members with their suppliers (i.e. Swift, Shift5, Wind River, and Hydra Electric Company)
- Worked very closely with the Enterprise CD Organization on the approval of a CD for Roll-Royce Corporation AE 3007H Engine and associated sustainment services in the newly setup Enterprise CD Tool
- Terms and Conditions Negotiations
- Interface with GSC functions, various Program Management Offices, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Compliance, Process Management and Strategic Sourcing Team
- § Collaborated with the TCNSD – Assist on NGAS Sector Level Overriding Terms and Conditions Agreements
- Supported the 2024 CPSR Audit Preparation
- Support a Kaizen Event – Sustainment Repairs (Return to Vendor)
- Assisted the GSC ________ Team on updating Various NGAS PrOPs
- Authored a Commercial Determination training presentation
- Serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Global Supply Chain (GSC) compliance matters, providing guidance to Material Program Managers and procurement teams.
- Performed in-depth price and cost analysis for supplier proposals, ensuring compliance with FAR 15.404-1 and FASA techniques.
- Investigated and resolved compliance issues and complaints, implementing remediation plans under tight deadlines and oversight.
- Mentored and trained junior buyers and subcontracts administrators on regulatory compliance as it pertains to critical procurement processes.
- Maintained thorough documentation and records of all compliance activities, supporting internal and external reporting requirements.
- Contributed to risk management activities by identifying potential compliance vulnerabilities and developing mitigation strategies.
GLOBL SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, GENERAL PR
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systesm
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Interfaced with program leadership, General Procurement Management and other support functions to remove constraints in support of Triton program and production deadlines
BUYER, GENERAL PROCUREMENT – ELECTRICAL & I-BUY
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
12.2018 - 12.2020
- Supported multiple programs in a fast-paced procurement environment
- Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
- Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Oversaw purchasing process from initiating requests to finalizing contracts to deliver smooth transaction.
Price Cost Analyst 3, B-2 Program
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
03.2018 - 12.2019
- Collaborated with colleagues, Supply Chain Administrators, Contracts Managers, Program IPT Leads to ensure Price/Cost Analysis Reports (PCARs) and negotiations adhere to NGC/NGAS policies and procedures
- Met internal and external customer's mission requirements to teamwork, effective and efficient communication with a strong customer-focused approach in providing quality and innovative solutions
- Supported Global Supply Chain
- Collaborated with colleagues, Supply Chain Administrators, Contracts Managers, Program IPT Leads to ensure Price/Cost Analysis Reports (PCARs) and negotiations adhere to NGC/NGAS policies and procedures
- Met internal and externals customer's mission requirements to teamwork, effective and efficient communication with a strong customer-focused approach in providing quality and innovative solution
- Supported Global Supply Chain Administrators during negotiations resulting in 11-12% cost savings
- Proactively served as a resource to Material Estimating, SCAs, Program management and suppliers on proposal adequacy and compliance as it pertains to the FAR/DFARS and commerciality matters on numerous PCARs
CONTRACTS MANAGER/MANAGER, PROGRAM CONTRACTS
Raytheon Corporation Technical Services Company LLC
01.2001 - 12.2017
- Tracked contracts for management and issued regular tracking reports covering current status and upcoming milestones.
- Mitigated business risks by analyzing contracts' potential impacts and avoiding unfavorable terms.
- Monitored contracts' performance to detect non-compliance with terms and deficient returns and organize proactive resolutions.
- Transportation and Support Services/Product Support/Missiles & Airborne Submission Area Contracts Lead ($200M)
- Mission Support and Modernization/Product Support (MSS/PS) Submission Area Contracts Lead ($240M)
- Oversaw over one hundred ninety-eight (198) individual programs with annual revenue over $900M
- Frontend assessment of business pursuits, proposal preparation, contract negotiation, contract management and significant customer activities
- Trained contract administrators and other functional areas on terms and conditions
- Participated in multiple Raytheon Six Sigma projects with Mission Assurance and Business Development
SENIOR CONTRACTS NEGOTIATOR
Raytheon Corporation, Technical Services Company LLC
01.2003 - 12.2004
- Liaison between RTSC and the Contracting Officer/PEO STRI, PM TRADE, the Administrative Contracting Officer, and Defense Contract Management Agency
- Complex contractual issues including Sarbanes-Oxley external and Pricewaterhouse Coopers internal audits
CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR | SENIOR CONTRACTS NEGOTI
Raytheon Corporation, Raytheon Technical Services Guam Inc., U.S. Naval Complex, Territory of Guam
01.2001 - 12.2003
- Initiated contracts and addressed necessary negotiations and adjustments.
- Administered and Managed the $500M Base Operations Support Contract for Naval Complex Guam
- Successful Audit of the Procurement System and Material valued at $500K with the Defense Contractor Audit Agency located at U.S. Army Base in Yokohoma, Japan. Result: Additional $2.3M awarded.
- ISO-9001: Declaration of Self Compliance. Conducted audits, drafted Contracts and Procurement policies
CONTRACTS/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Target General of Nevada
01.1999 - 12.2001
- Negotiated contract terms, establish bonds, approved contracts management actions and executed project oversight for $160M+ of construction projects for the largest commercial contractor in the Nevada and Arizona
- Project oversight of fourteen Middle and High Schools built annually for the Clark County School district located in Las Vegas, Nevada under budget and on-time
- Supervised multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments.
CONTRACTS/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Nevada Power Company
01.1998 - 12.1999
- Managed contract negotiations and implementation: Coordinated project execution actions with Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Managers for the largest natural gas and electrical company in Nevada
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
- Liaised between departments to facilitate communication and keep appropriate parties updated on project developments.
Contracts Administrator
LORAL AERONAUTICS CORPORATION AERONUTRONIC DIVISION
01.1989 - 12.1996
- Implemented improvements to contract generation process to increase efficiency.
- Direct Commercial Sales, International Direct Commercial Sales, DoD, and Foreign Military Sales
- Loral Aeronautics Corporation Management Training Program (Corporate Leadership Development)
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA06-1988
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Innovation management
- Product management
- Organizational development
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent problem solving and organizational skills
- Compliance: FAR, DFARS, TINA, risk management, commercial determinations, quality standards, regulatory risk management, data privacy
- Supply Chain Operations: Global supply chain, program material strategy, forecasting, inventory planning, supplier negotiations, commercial analysis
- Technical & Analytical: Data analysis, financial modeling, Earned Value Management (EVM), ERP systems (SAP, Costpoint), Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- Soft Skills: Leadership, project management, problem-solving, communication (written and verbal), attention to detail, relationship-building, and influencing skills
Affiliations
- National Contract Management Association
- National Management Association
- Toastmasters International
Certification
- Raytheon Six Sigma Specialist – Nominated for US Navy 2003 Most Successful Project Award, Raytheon Company
- ISO-9001-2000 Auditor
Accomplishments
- United States Navy Achievement Award for Outstanding Service on US Naval Complex
- McDonnell Douglas Aeronautics Silver and Gold Awards for Outstanding Service
Timeline
SR. PRINCIPAL SUBCONTRACT SPECIALIST
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics
01.2021 - Current
GLOBL SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, GENERAL PR
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systesm
01.2020 - 01.2021
BUYER, GENERAL PROCUREMENT – ELECTRICAL & I-BUY
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
12.2018 - 12.2020
Price Cost Analyst 3, B-2 Program
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
03.2018 - 12.2019
SENIOR CONTRACTS NEGOTIATOR
Raytheon Corporation, Technical Services Company LLC
01.2003 - 12.2004
CONTRACTS MANAGER/MANAGER, PROGRAM CONTRACTS
Raytheon Corporation Technical Services Company LLC
01.2001 - 12.2017
CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATOR | SENIOR CONTRACTS NEGOTI
Raytheon Corporation, Raytheon Technical Services Guam Inc., U.S. Naval Complex, Territory of Guam
01.2001 - 12.2003
CONTRACTS/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Target General of Nevada
01.1999 - 12.2001
CONTRACTS/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Nevada Power Company
01.1998 - 12.1999
Contracts Administrator
LORAL AERONAUTICS CORPORATION AERONUTRONIC DIVISION
01.1989 - 12.1996
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
California State University, Long Beach