Business Development & Proposals Manager

Taher•Minnetonka, MN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Taher, Inc. is seeking a highly organized, results-driven Business Development & Proposals Manager to lead competitive proposal development and support strategic business development initiatives. The manager oversees the full proposal lifecycle, from opportunity assessment and solicitation review through proposal development, submission, presentations, and follow-up. The role partners with executive leadership and Sales, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, and other departments to develop compelling, accurate, and compliant proposals that communicate Taher’s capabilities and competitive advantages. The position also supports prospective-client research, market and procurement monitoring, sales initiatives, client presentations, and business development meetings. The manager serves as the primary proposal project coordinator, maintains proposal content and tracking systems, and recommends process improvements to strengthen quality, consistency, and efficiency. Success includes submitting accurate, compelling proposals by deadline, maintaining compliance and effective cross-functional coordination, and supporting Taher’s competitive positioning and business growth. Taher, Inc. is a privately held food service management company with more than 45 years of experience, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and serving clients throughout the United States, particularly in K–12 education, business and industry, and institutional food service. This is a full-time, on-site position in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, English, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Five or more years of relevant experience in proposal development, RFP management, business development, marketing, consulting, or professional services.
Demonstrated experience preparing complex written proposals and coordinating contributions from multiple departments.
Exceptional business writing, editing, proofreading, and communication skills.
Strong project management skills, including scheduling, prioritization, and deadline management.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related business applications.
Ability to interpret complex solicitation requirements and develop accurate, compliant responses.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with leadership and cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated initiative, accountability, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience preparing proposals for K–12 school districts, institutional food service, hospitality, or contract management services.
Familiarity with public-sector procurement, competitive bidding, and contract proposal requirements.
Experience supporting regional or national business development initiatives.
Experience with proposal management software, CRM systems, or document management platforms.
Familiarity with proposal compliance matrices, content libraries, and formal proposal review processes.
APMP certification or other relevant proposal management training.
Experience supporting finalist presentations, client interviews, and business development strategy.

Responsibilities

Lead the complete lifecycle of RFPs, RFIs, RFQs, and related business development submissions.
Review solicitation documents and identify requirements, evaluation criteria, compliance obligations, and deadlines.
Develop proposal strategies, project schedules, compliance matrices, content outlines, and responsibility assignments.
Write, edit, and coordinate proposals, executive summaries, implementation plans, company qualifications, and supporting narratives.
Develop customized responses highlighting Taher’s strengths, operational capabilities, and value proposition.
Coordinate financial and pricing components with Finance, Operations, and the Financial Analyst.
Ensure proposals satisfy submission requirements and meet standards for accuracy, quality, and professionalism.
Manage internal reviews, revisions, executive approvals, and final submissions.
Maintain organized proposal records, supporting documents, and submission materials.
Research prospective clients, market opportunities, and potential new business.
Monitor public procurement opportunities, school district RFP announcements, and industry developments.
Research client organizations, decision-makers, competitors, and market conditions.
Support sales leadership in strategies to expand Taher’s presence in existing and emerging markets.
Prepare materials for client presentations, finalist interviews, business development meetings, and related activities.
Collaborate with internal departments to develop service solutions tailored to prospective client needs.
Track proposal activity, outcomes, client feedback, and improvement opportunities.
Coordinate proposal development schedules, expectations, deliverables, and accountability as the primary proposal coordinator.
Gather proposal information from Sales, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, and executive leadership.
Lead proposal kickoff meetings, progress reviews, and final quality assurance activities.
Monitor project milestones and address missing information, delays, or compliance concerns proactively.
Manage multiple concurrent proposals while maintaining quality, organization, and deadline adherence.
Provide leadership with timely status updates and recommendations.
Develop and maintain proposal templates, content libraries, company profiles, references, and supporting materials.
Maintain consistency in messaging, branding, formatting, and presentation quality.
Maintain accurate records of company capabilities, operational experience, and approved proposal content.
Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen proposal quality and reduce preparation time.
Evaluate proposal performance, document lessons learned, and identify improvements for future submissions.
Maintain proposal calendars, tracking systems, and business development documentation.
Support sales initiatives with research, reporting, presentation development, and project coordination.
Maintain accurate prospective-client information and business development records.
Coordinate trade shows, marketing materials, and follow-up activities.
Assist with executive presentations and client communications.
Represent Taher professionally in interactions with prospective clients and business partners.