Regional Bid Manager - Remote

📋 Description

• • Oshkosh AeroTech, a distinguished leader in aviation ground support products, gate equipment, and airport services, is seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused Regional Bid Manager to join our dynamic team. We serve a diverse clientele including commercial airlines, airports, air-freight carriers, ground handling operations, and military customers. Our commitment is to provide products that make a tangible difference in people's lives by supporting those who perform some of the toughest jobs in our communities. Oshkosh AeroTech proudly owns many of the most trusted brands in the air transportation industry, such as LEKTRO®, JetAire®, JetPower®, AmpTekÔ, Jetway®, and more, reflecting our dedication to innovation and quality.
• • As a remote Regional Bid Manager, you will be instrumental in managing all Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB), Ground Power Unit (GPU), and Pre-Conditioned Air (PCA) project opportunities within an assigned territory covering the Northeast U.S. and Canada. This pivotal role places you as the primary customer-facing leader throughout the entire bid phase, acting as the front-end project manager from the initial proposal development through to the final submission. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating complex opportunities and ensuring successful outcomes for Oshkosh AeroTech.
• • This position offers the flexibility of remote work, requiring residence within the assigned region, ideally in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan, and proximity to a major airport to facilitate necessary travel. You will engage directly with key stakeholders including airports, airlines, and general contractors, effectively representing the JetAire and Jetpower product lines. Your core responsibility will be to ensure that all bid submissions are not only complete and accurate but also highly competitive and fully compliant with customer requirements, thereby driving business growth and solidifying our market presence.
• • Travel is an integral part of this role, estimated at approximately 30% of your time. This will involve attending industry trade shows and conferences, conducting crucial customer meetings, and making occasional visits to Oshkosh facilities, particularly during your initial year to foster integration and understanding of our operations and culture.
• • Your primary responsibilities will encompass the end-to-end management of all Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) opportunities within your designated territory. This includes meticulously reviewing and interpreting complex bid documents, technical drawings, detailed specifications, and contractual obligations to ensure a thorough understanding of project scope and requirements.
• • You will be tasked with coordinating seamlessly with various internal departments, including Engineering, Pricing, Risk Assessment, and the Bids & Proposals teams. This cross-functional collaboration is essential for developing proposals that are not only technically sound and competitive but also align with our strategic business objectives and profitability goals.
• • A critical aspect of your role involves reviewing pricing sheets to validate scope, assess margins, and confirm commercial terms before any submission. You will also be responsible for writing and/or reviewing customer-facing cover letters and other essential supporting documentation, ensuring clarity, professionalism, and persuasive content.
• • Effectively managing multiple concurrent bid opportunities is paramount, requiring exceptional organizational skills and a rigorous adherence to strict deadlines. You will serve as the main point of contact for customers during the bid phase, expertly handling clarification meetings and responding to addenda, ensuring clear communication and timely information exchange.
• • Building and nurturing strong, lasting relationships with airports, airlines, and general contractors within your territory is key to long-term success. Furthermore, you will proactively identify and pursue upsell opportunities, highlighting the value of technology enhancements, system upgrades, and product options to our clients.
• • Representing Oshkosh AeroTech at industry trade shows, conferences, and customer events is an important facet of this role, providing opportunities to network, showcase our capabilities, and gather market intelligence. Developing and maintaining a deep technical understanding of the JetAire and Jetpower product lines, including their performance characteristics and configuration options, will empower you to effectively communicate their value proposition.
• • Maintaining up-to-date competitive intelligence and a keen understanding of market positioning within your assigned region will inform your bid strategies and contribute to our overall market competitiveness. You will also actively support forecasting and sales planning activities, providing valuable insights from the bid pipeline.
• • Finally, you will collaborate effectively in cross-functional initiatives aimed at enhancing our product development strategies and refining our market approach, contributing to the continuous improvement and growth of Oshkosh AeroTech.