Position: Bid Manager - (BMO)
Job Overview:
The Bid Manager (or Proposal Manager) is a strategic, project management role responsible for leading, developing, and delivering compliant, compelling, and persuasive proposals in response to complex Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations to Tender (ITTs), and other formal client inquiries. This role acts as the single point of accountability for the entire bid lifecycle, from initial analysis and strategy through final submission. The primary goal is to maximize the company's win rate and profitability.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Bid Manager to join our team. As a Bid Manager, you will be responsible for managing the entire bid process, from identifying opportunities and developing proposals to negotiating contracts. You will work closely with our sales, project management, and finance teams to ensure that our bids are competitive, accurate, and aligned with our company's goals and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
I. Bid Strategy and Initiation
- Deconstruction and Compliance: Thoroughly analyze all solicitation documents (RFP, ITT, RFI) to identify all mandatory requirements, contractual obligations, technical specifications, and submission deadlines.
- Compliance Matrix: Establish and maintain a comprehensive compliance matrix, mapping all client requirements to the proposed response sections to ensure 100% adherence.
- Go-No-Go Input: Collaborate with Sales Leadership, Finance, and Executive Management to assess the risk, profitability, and strategic alignment of the opportunity to inform the final Go-No-Go decision.
- Win Theme Development: Define the core strategic Win Themes, competitive differentiators, and value propositions that must be consistently articulated throughout the proposal.
II. Proposal Development and Execution
- Project Management: Treat the proposal process as a formal project. Define schedules, allocate tasks to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), set internal deadlines, and rigorously manage the project timeline to ensure punctual delivery.
- Content Leadership: Identify and engage cross-functional SMEs (Engineering, Operations, Legal, Finance) and lead them in drafting and customizing technical and commercial content.
- Storyboarding and Outlining: Define the proposal structure (storyboarding), ensuring the narrative is clear, logical, persuasive, and directly addresses the client's needs and evaluation criteria.
- Content Management: Utilize and maintain the central proposal content library, ensuring all standardized boilerplate information (certifications, experience, financials) is accurate and up-to-date.
III. Quality Assurance and Submission
- Final Compliance Check: Execute a final, detailed check against the compliance matrix immediately before submission.
- Submission: Manage the final packaging, printing, and delivery (physical or electronic portal), ensuring the bid is submitted correctly and punctually to avoid disqualification.
IV. Post-Submission Activities
- Debriefing: Lead internal post-bid reviews to analyze performance metrics (time, cost, resources) and facilitate client debriefings to gather feedback on strengths and weaknesses.
- Knowledge Transfer: Update the content library with newly created and successful technical narratives, commercial models, and visual assets for future use.
Qualifications
Required Education & Experience
- Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, communications, or a related technical field.
- 5 years of progressive experience in managing complex B2B proposals, bids, or tenders within an environment requiring cross-functional collaboration.
- Certification in Proposal Management (e.g., APMP Foundation/Practitioner) is highly desirable.
- Experience in the [Automotive, Manufacturing, Engineering, IT] sector is highly advantageous.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Project Management Mastery: Expert proficiency in project planning, scheduling (Gantt charts), resource allocation, and deadline enforcement.
- Strategic Writing & Editing: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex, technical information into clear, benefits-focused, and persuasive written content.
- Interpersonal Leadership: Proven ability to influence and manage contributions from senior, non-direct reports (VPs, Directors, SMEs).
- Compliance Focus: Meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to following complex client instructions.
- Tools Proficiency: Advanced expertise in document management and desktop publishing software (e.g., MS Word, Adobe Acrobat) and CRM systems.
