Proposal Engineer

Fives; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in South Africa is seeking a Proposal Engineer to support project execution and cost estimations for aluminium smelters. The role involves preparing proposals, liaising with suppliers, and ensuring timely project delivery. Candidates should possess relevant engineering qualifications and experience in project costing.

Qualifications

• Experience in project costing or similar estimating roles is essential.
• Knowledge of project management principles is advantageous.
• Understanding of project site work processes for proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Assist Key Account Managers in preparing proposals and cost estimations.
• Liaise with external suppliers and prepare high-quality scopes of work.
• Monitor tender deadlines and communicate with head office.

Skills

Project costing

Technical knowledge

Client solutions

Supply Chain

Education

South African Grade 12 / Matric

N.Dip. in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Projects

Job description

Position Summary

Fives Services Southern Africa is actively seeking a Proposal Engineer to join its teams in Richards Bay, South Africa. At Fives, we are all driven by a common calling: to prove that industry can do it!

We work together daily to make industry an answer to the major technological, environmental, social, and economic challenges of our time. For over years, we've invented and designed solutions and technologies that substantially and sustainably improve daily life.

Fives Services Southern Africa & Fives Services Mzansi are the Fives service centers for South Africa and Mozambique, providing support in project execution, engineering, and local parts sourcing. We strive to create a company culture that values employees, encourages work-life balance, and promotes professional growth.

The Proposal Engineer will assist Key Account Managers in preparing proposals and cost estimations for new projects, equipment upgrades, modernization, technical services, major equipment repairs, customer liaison, marketing, and business sales strategy for aluminium smelters.

Travel to customer sites may be required.

Responsibilities include:

1. Receiving tenders / RFQ specifications.
2. Liaising with external suppliers, preparing high-quality scopes of work, submitting RFQs, reviewing, and adjudicating proposals received.
3. Monitoring and respecting tender deadlines, communicating with the head office for engineering and material quotations.
4. Drafting project proposals for review and approval by Key Account and Proposal Manager.
5. Drafting commercial estimates and reviewing with the Key Account Manager.
6. Following up on client evaluation processes until order placement, piling project hand-overs upon receiving an order.
7. Participating in close-out meetings to improve future proposals.
8. Supporting repairs business with proposal reviews, bills of material, and scopes of work.
9. Interpreting technical manuals, parts lists, bills of materials, and installation manuals.
10. Occasional site inspections to understand and scope jobs.

Equipment Repairs Responsibilities:

1. Reviewing RFQ requests for equipment repairs with the Key Account Manager.
2. Aligning customer requests with cost-effective, technical, and operational requirements.
3. Supporting the timely and efficient preparation of repair costings and liaising with the Key Account Manager for sales strategies.

Education and Qualifications:

• South African Grade 12 / Matric is required.
• At least N.Dip. level qualification in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering fields.

Relevant Experience:

• Experience in project costing or similar estimating roles is essential.
• Supply Chain / Purchasing experience is beneficial.
• Knowledge of project management principles is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Microsoft Projects is required.
• Knowledge of heavy industrial equipment repair and modifications is advantageous.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to client solutions.
• Understanding of project site work processes for proposal development.