Aftermarket Proposal Manager

Fairbanks Morse Defense•Beloit, WI

About The Position

The Aftermarket Proposal Manager will lead their team in developing strategic proposals for complex bids, while also providing world-class support to key strategic accounts. A broad knowledge of Fairbanks Morse Defense products and systems will be required to lead the development of winning strategies that exceed customer requirements and meet corporate capture and margin targets. The individual will oversee all aspects of our complex, multi-step processes and ensure deadlines are met. Works independently; performing a full range of responsibilities within the job function; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. This is a highly networked role that requires an ability to work under pressure with challenging deadlines, while also supporting daily activities to support their team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, technical degree, or equivalent experience preferred
Five years of inside sales and/or supporting customer account growth experience required, preference given to those with government proposal or shipbuilding experience
One year experience in leading cross-functional teams – direct leadership experience, preferred
High degree of written and verbal communication, ability to handle multiple complex assignments simultaneously
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and address client needs effectively
Ability to understand and execute on complex processes
Strong attention to detail
Service minded and proactive day-to-day with the ability to work independently, and support both internal and external customers and teams
Experience using CRM and ERP systems required, SalesForce and Oracle desired
Strong MS Office skills including Word, Excel, and Outlook
Proficient with advanced excel (VLOOKUP’s)
Maintain updated knowledge of company products and services
Excellent technical and analytic aptitude
Basic understanding of diesel engines preferred
Travel up to 10%, domestic (service centers and customer sites)
This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information,This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

Responsibilities

Manage and mentor the proposal team to ensure alignment with company objectives, adherence to best practices, and ongoing professional growth.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence in proposal development.
Oversee team compliance with company policies, industry standards, and established procedures.
Provide training, guidance, and regular audits to maintain consistency and accuracy.
Address non-compliance promptly, implementing corrective actions to uphold operational excellence and mitigate risks.
Develop winning sales strategies that meet business objectives, mitigate risk, and align with customer needs.
Oversee the end-to-end development of customer proposals, ensuring all components are accurately written, aligned with company standards, and tailored to customer requirements.
Manage the proposal writing process by coordinating input from cross-functional teams, ensuring timely completion, and delivering high-quality, competitive proposals.
Lead follow-up efforts to address customer feedback and secure the order.
Lead Bid Review meetings, by effectively communicating the sale opportunity, pricing strategy, resource requirements, and a risk/benefit overview.
Ensure team adherence to protocols for reviewing purchase orders, verifying that pricing, quality certificates, and compliance requirements align with quotes.
Facilitate project turnover meetings with Project Managers and Service Centers to ensure smooth project implementation and successful delivery of services.
Cultivate and sustain robust relationships with key accounts, acting as their primary point of contact for all inquiries, concerns, and escalation
Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate responses are provided for all customer service and part quote inquiries
Develop sales forecasts to support business order and revenue goals