Proposal Specialist

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a seasoned Proposal Manager to lead the full lifecycle of proposals and pricing in a regulated manufacturing environment. You will coordinate inputs from engineering, operations, procurement, and quality to deliver customer-ready bids that meet margin targets.

The role requires 3–5 years in proposal management, strong cost-estimation skills, and experience with cGMP/FDA ISO standards. You will present pricing topics to groups and collaborate with sales on competitive yet

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination.
• 3–5 years of experience in proposal management, estimating, pricing, contract packaging, manufacturing, pharma, or medical device industries.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures and pricing methodologies.
• Previous experience in cGMP, FDA, or other highly regulated environment, preferred.
• Ability to present pricing topics to small or medium sized groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposals and quotations (RFQs/RFPs), from intake through submission.
• Analyze customer requirements, specifications, and technical documentation to define scope.
• Develop pricing models, cost estimates, and commercial proposals aligned with margin objectives.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality, customer-ready proposal packages.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, operations, procurement, and quality to align scope and pricing.
• Drive proposal review meetings, approvals, and executive sign-off.
• Own or support pricing strategy for packaging solutions and evaluate cost drivers including labor, materials, tooling, freight, and overhead.
• Partner with sales to position competitive yet profitable proposals.
• Ensure proposals comply with FDA, ISO (e.g., ISO 13485), GMP, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Incorporate validation, documentation, and quality controls into scope and pricing.
• Support audit readiness by maintaining accurate proposal documentation.
• Maintain proposal templates, tools, and standard costing models.
• Track KPIs such as win rates, cycle time, margin performance, and quote accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to streamline RFQ processes and improve turnaround times.
• Collaborate with business development to understand market trends, customer needs, and competitive positioning.
• Contribute to strategic bids and key account pursuits.
• Participate in customer calls to clarify technical and commercial requirements.

Skills

Proposal Management

Pricing Strategy

CGMP Compliance

Cost Estimation

Customer Requirements Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Proposal Templates

Standard Costing Models

Job description

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposals and quotations (RFQs/RFPs), from intake through submission


• Analyze customer requirements, specifications, and technical documentation to define scope


• Develop pricing models, cost estimates, and commercial proposals aligned with margin objectives


• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality, customer-ready proposal packages


• Coordinate inputs from engineering (design/packaging specs), operations (capacity, throughput), procurement (material costs), and quality (compliance)


• Facilitate internal alignment on scope, assumptions, and risks


• Drive proposal review meetings, approvals, and executive sign-off


• Own or support pricing strategy for packaging solutions (e.g., blister packs, kitting, contract packaging, sterile barrier systems)


• Evaluate cost drivers including labor, materials, tooling, freight, and overhead


• Partner with sales to position competitive yet profitable proposals


• Ensure proposals comply with FDA, ISO (e.g., ISO 13485), GMP, and customer-specific quality requirements


• Incorporate validation, documentation, and quality controls into scope and pricing


• Support audit readiness by maintaining accurate proposal documentation


• Maintain proposal templates, tools, and standard costing models


• Track KPIs such as win rates, cycle time, margin performance, and quote accuracy


• Identify opportunities to streamline RFQ processes and improve turnaround times


• Collaborate with business development to understand market trends, customer needs, and competitive positioning


• Contribute to strategic bids and key account pursuits


• Participate in customer calls to clarify technical and commercial requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination.


• 3-5 years of experience in proposal management, estimating, pricing, contract packaging, manufacturing, pharma, or medical device industries.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing cost structures and pricing methodologies.


• Previous experience in cGMP, FDA, or other highly regulated environment, preferred.


• Ability to present pricing topics to small or medium sized groups.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in proposal management and pricing strategy within highly regulated environments, ensuring compliance with FDA and ISO standards while delivering high-quality, customer-ready proposals. Proficient in analyzing customer requirements and developing competitive pricing models aligned with margin objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Proposal Management


• Pricing Strategy


• CGMP Compliance


• Cost Estimation


• Customer Requirements Analysis

Hard Skills

• Proposal Development


• Cost Estimation


• Pricing Models


• Manufacturing Cost Structures


• Regulatory Compliance

Soft Skills

• Presentation Skills


• Collaboration


• Facilitation

Industry Keywords

• FDA


• ISO 13485


• GMP


• Contract Packaging


• Medical Device Industry

Tools & Technologies

• Proposal Templates


• Standard Costing Models