Proposal Manager

Wabtec Corporation; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 96,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation is seeking a Transit OE Sales and Business Development professional to lead and manage the proposal development process from opportunity identification through contract award and project launch.

Reporting to the Director of Transit OE Sales and Business Development, you will coordinate cross‑functional teams, analyze financials, negotiate terms, and present bid recommendations to senior leadership to win strategic transit contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; technical degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in sales, marketing, proposal management, or business development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, coordination, and submission of commercial proposals to customers.
• Ensure engineering teams provide technical proposals that meet bid requirements and customer specifications.
• Serve as the primary commercial and technical point of contact for customers throughout the bid process.
• Coordinate proposal activities across multiple Wabtec product lines and business units.
• Review, negotiate, and support the execution of customer contract terms and conditions.
• Conduct financial analysis, risk assessments, and develop winning proposal strategies.
• Prepare Tender Review packages and present recommendations for senior management approval.
• Manage proposal documentation and ensure a seamless handoff to project management following contract award.
• Ensure proposal activities comply with ISO/IRIS standards and internal processes.
• Perform market analysis, monitor industry trends, and develop strategies to secure future business opportunities.
• Track, organize, and analyze competitive sales and marketing intelligence.

Skills

Proposal management

Sales

Business development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Technical degree preferred

Job description

Who will you be working with?

The Sales and Proposal Team serves a critical role in developing new original equipment (OE) business across Wabtec’s Transit business. This team supports major transit customers throughout North America, including agencies such as Amtrak, Chicago Transit Authority, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and New York City Transit. In this highly visible role, you will collaborate daily with cross‑functional teams including Finance, Legal, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Project Management, while also partnering with Wabtec sister divisions and customer stakeholders. The team is instrumental in securing multi‑million‑dollar contracts and helping shape the future direction of Wabtec’s Brake, Coupler, Power Collection, Door, and HVAC product portfolios.

How will you make a difference?

As a member of the Transit OE Sales and Business Development team, you will be responsible for leading and managing the proposal development process from opportunity identification through contract award and project launch. Reporting to the Director of Transit OE Sales and Business Development, this role serves as the primary commercial point of contact for customers during the bid process and ensures proposals are developed accurately, competitively, and on schedule. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams to develop technical and commercial solutions, conduct financial and risk analyses, negotiate contract terms, and present bid recommendations to senior leadership. This position plays a key role in driving business growth and securing strategic transit opportunities that contribute to Wabtec’s long‑term success.

What do we want to know about you?

We are looking for a highly organized and customer‑focused professional with experience managing complex proposal and sales processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen, project management skills, and the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree required; technical degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. Experience in sales, marketing, proposal management, or business development. Rail industry experience preferred. Strong financial, analytical, and contract review capabilities. Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams and senior leadership.

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead the preparation, coordination, and submission of commercial proposals to customers.
• Ensure engineering teams provide technical proposals that meet bid requirements and customer specifications.
• Serve as the primary commercial and technical point of contact for customers throughout the bid process.
• Coordinate proposal activities across multiple Wabtec product lines and business units.
• Review, negotiate, and support the execution of customer contract terms and conditions.
• Conduct financial analysis, risk assessments, and develop winning proposal strategies.
• Prepare Tender Review packages and present recommendations for senior management approval.
• Manage proposal documentation and ensure a seamless handoff to project management following contract award.
• Ensure proposal activities comply with ISO/IRIS standards and internal processes.
• Perform market analysis, monitor industry trends, and develop strategies to secure future business opportunities.
• Track, organize, and analyze competitive sales and marketing intelligence.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer.
• Frequent verbal and written communication with customers, leadership, and internal teams.
• Ability to review detailed technical and commercial documentation.
• Occasional travel to customer sites, Wabtec locations, or industry events as required.
• You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.
• While this position is remote, it may include occasional work at a Wabtec office/site or attendance at off sites, as agreed to with your manager.
• Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.
• Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening.
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Additional Information

The salary rate for this role is currently $95800-127000.

The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location.

The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com.

Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job – it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value‑added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity.

Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation.

With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.

Worker Sub Type: RegularJob Family: Direct Sales