Our client is a European MNC in Industrial Equipment.

The Proposal Manager is responsible for supporting the sales team throughout the entire sales cycle, from opportunity qualification and proposal preparation to contract award, order execution, and project delivery coordination.

This role serves as the key liaison between Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, and Customers to ensure accurate quotations, competitive pricing, timely proposal submissions, contract compliance, and successful project execution. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, improve bid-win rates, and ensure customer commitments are fulfilled in accordance with agreed commercial and delivery requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal & Tender Management

Lead the preparation and submission of commercial and technical proposals for equipment and solution projects
Review tender documents, specifications, drawings, and customer requirements
Coordinate with engineering, product management, procurement, and factories to obtain technical and commercial inputs
Develop compliant, competitive, and high-quality bid submissions within specified deadlines
Manage the proposal review and approval process
Maintain proposal templates, bid documentation, and proposal databases
Conduct risk assessments and identify contractual, commercial, and operational risks during tender stages

Sales Operations Support

Support the sales team in preparing quotations, pricing strategies, cost analyses, and commercial proposals
Collaborate with factories and suppliers to obtain equipment pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules
Monitor quotation pipeline and bid status to improve proposal conversion rates
Ensure all sales documentation is complete and compliant with company policies
Maintain CRM and sales tracking systems with accurate opportunity and project information
Generate sales performance reports, forecasts, and operational dashboards

Contract & Order Management

Review customer contracts and purchase orders to ensure alignment with approved proposals
Coordinate internal order handover from Sales to Operations and Project Management teams
Track contract milestones, delivery schedules, and commercial obligations
Ensure timely processing of sales orders and change orders
Support contract negotiations by providing commercial and operational insights

Factory & Supply Chain Coordination

Act as the primary interface between local sales teams and manufacturing facilities
Monitor factory production schedules and delivery commitments
Coordinate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure on-time delivery
Escalate supply chain, production, or delivery risks and drive resolution
Provide customers and sales teams with regular updates on production and shipment status

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Participate in customer meetings related to proposals, contracts, delivery schedules, and project execution
Respond promptly to customer inquiries regarding pricing, lead times, and order status
Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction through proactive communication and issue resolution

Process Improvement

Develop and implement best practices for proposal management and sales operations
Identify opportunities to improve bid quality, proposal turnaround times, and operational efficiency
Support digitalization and automation initiatives within sales operations
Establish KPIs and performance metrics to measure proposal effectiveness and operational performance

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline

Experience

5-10 years of experience in Proposal Management, Bid Management, Sales Operations, Commercial Operations, Project Coordination, or related roles
Experience within HVAC, MEP, Building Services, Industrial Equipment, Engineering Solutions, or Manufacturing industries
Proven experience supporting large commercial, industrial, or infrastructure projects
Experience coordinating with manufacturing plants, suppliers, and cross-functional team

Technical Knowledge

Familiarity with contract administration and commercial terms
Understanding of supply chain, manufacturing processes, and project delivery requirements
Experience with ERP and CRM systems such as SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent

Skills & Competencies

Strong proposal writing and commercial documentation skills
Excellent project coordination and organizational abilities
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple bids and projects simultaneously
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
High attention to detail and accuracy
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools