Bids and Proposals Manager / Sales Engineer

Fairbanks Morse Defense•Cincinnati, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Fairbanks Morse Defense is seeking a Bids & Proposals Manager/Sales Engineer for its Federal Equipment Company division in Cincinnati, OH. This mission-driven role is responsible for driving the sales process, managing customer relationships, and delivering high-quality, competitive proposals. The position requires collaboration across internal teams, a focus on process development, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational and communication skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and the ability to lead a sales process that upholds the company's reputation for reliability and precision. Federal Equipment Company is a leading supplier of marine deck machinery and specialized material handling systems, serving the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard as part of a 150-year legacy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Business, Engineering, or related discipline), or equivalent experience.
5+ years of experience in Sales Management, Regional Sales, or Proposal Management, preferably within the marine, defense, or manufacturing industries.
Strong understanding of sales processes and proposal development, with experience managing long-cycle projects.
Excellent organizational, communication, and collaboration skills with a strong attention to detail.
A strong understanding of the market, products, service offerings and customer base or the ability to quickly learn.
Experience in development, implementation and execution of a sales strategy and system.
Ability to create and maintain strong relationships with customers, employees and sales representatives.
Very proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Must provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship to meet NOFORN requirement for access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information.

Responsibilities

Lead the preparation, review, and submission of high-quality proposals, ensuring compliance with customer requirements and alignment with company goals.
Manage proposal schedules and critical deadlines, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including engineering, legal, finance, and operations—to gather inputs for proposals and address technical, commercial, and financial considerations.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key Navy accounts, industrial clients, and the Sales Representative Network, ensuring a high level of customer service and responsiveness.
Lead and help implement strong processes, data analytics, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Research market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
Track pricing, cost histories, and win/loss data to inform pricing strategies and improve future performance.
Ensure smooth handoff to Project Management teams upon contract award to facilitate seamless execution.