Commercial Proposals Lead

About

Are you a seasoned professional with a knack for crafting winning proposals and a strategic mind for commercial operations? Join our client's dynamic team as a Commercial Proposals Lead and play a pivotal role in securing key business opportunities within the Sub-Saharan African region. This is an exceptional opportunity to leverage your expertise in a challenging and rewarding environment, contributing directly to the company's growth and success. You will be instrumental in transforming complex customer needs into compelling commercial proposals, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure accuracy, compliance, and strategic advantage. This role offers significant exposure to senior leadership and the chance to influence strategic direction, making it ideal for an ambitious individual seeking impactful career growth.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end process of preparing, approving, and submitting high-quality commercial proposals for complex aftermarket services and components.
• Collaborate closely with sales, technical, and pricing teams to interpret proposal requests and develop comprehensive solutions.
• Conduct thorough risk analysis and develop winning strategies in partnership with sales and risk management.
• Review and negotiate contract terms and conditions with legal counsel to ensure favorable outcomes.
• Manage internal stakeholders across Finance, Legal, Project Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Engineering to ensure seamless proposal development.
• Ensure all proposals meet stringent compliance requirements and internal approval processes.
• Proactively engage with customer commercial and technical representatives to build strong relationships and gather critical bid intelligence.
• Maintain meticulous documentation and facilitate smooth handover of bid information to execution teams.
• Contribute to market analysis, strategy development, and track competitive intelligence to inform future business wins.
• Represent the company professionally in all customer interactions and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Diploma or Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Proposals and/or Contracts Management roles within heavy engineering industries.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Oracle ERP (or similar) and Salesforce systems.
• Proven ability to understand and articulate the requirements of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Contracts, particularly within the aftermarket sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of customer expectations and a commitment to delivering quality service.
• Strong ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Capacity to lead dynamic teams in a matrix structure to meet tight deadlines for compliant bids.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Exceptional time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to perform under pressure and manage conflicting demands.
• Willingness to undertake diverse duties and embrace new challenges.
• Flexibility to travel for customer engagements across Sub-Saharan Africa.