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

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

• 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.