Proposal Specialist

Overview

We're looking for a sharp, naturally curious professional who loves asking questions, building relationships, and turning complex customer requirements into competitive, compliant commercial proposals. If you're energized by cross-functional collaboration and thrive on uncovering the details that lead to winning business, this could be the role for you. 

In this role you will manage the end-to-end development of customer proposals, RFQs, and RFP responses for a regulated packaging organization serving pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer markets.  This role leads cross-functional coordination across sales, operations, engineering, procurement, quality, and finance to develop accurate, competitive, and compliant commercial proposals that align with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company margin targets

 

Responsibilities

Proposal & Bid Management

• 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

Cross-Functional Leadership

• 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

Pricing & Commercial Strategy

• 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

Regulatory & Compliance Alignment

• 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

 

Process Improvement & Analytics

• 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

Customer & Market Insight

• 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

Qualifications

• 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.

Pay Range

USD $60,000.00 - USD $65,000.00 /Yr.