Proposal Manager - Completion & Engineering Services

As Proposal Manager CES, you lead the complete proposal process for large and complex aircraft modification projects, from the moment a Request for Proposal (RFP) is received until the final proposal is delivered to the customer.

Working closely with the Sales Director, you translate customer requirements into technically feasible and commercially competitive proposals. You coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams, challenge technical solutions and cost estimates, and ensure every proposal delivers the best possible balance between quality, feasibility and a competitive "price to win".

You report to the Head of Large Projects and work in close collaboration with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Estimating and Production. Throughout the proposal process, you act as the technical counterpart to both internal stakeholders and customers, presenting and defending proposal concepts during customer meetings, management reviews and contract negotiations.

What You Will Do

As Proposal Manager, you will:

• Lead the complete proposal process for complex VIP and Special Mission aircraft conversion projects
• Analyze Requests for Proposal (RFPs) together with the Sales Director and determine proposal strategy and bid/no-bid recommendations
• Translate customer requirements into technically feasible aircraft modification concepts
• Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams consisting of Engineering, Procurement, Estimating and Production specialists
• Develop engineering concepts, preliminary layouts, certification approaches and technical solutions
• Support cost estimation by providing technical work scopes, procurement specifications and preliminary material lists
• Challenge technical solutions, planning and cost estimates to develop competitive, winning proposals
• Prepare and facilitate proposal planning, progress meetings, risk assessments and Gate Reviews
• Present and defend the technical content of proposals during internal management reviews and customer meetings
• Identify technical and commercial risks early and develop mitigation strategies
• Support contract negotiations together with the Sales Director

In addition, you monitor market developments, competitor activities and customer trends, translating market intelligence into recommendations for new capabilities and future product development.

You report to the Head of Large Projects and work in close partnership with the Sales Director throughout the proposal lifecycle. As Proposal Manager, you are the connecting link between Sales, Engineering, Procurement, Production and Estimating, ensuring all disciplines contribute to a high-quality, competitive proposal delivered on time.

How You Are Valuable to Us

You combine technical expertise with commercial awareness and enjoy bringing people together to achieve a common goal. You can maintain the big picture while managing complex technical details and thrive in a dynamic, customer-focused project environment.

Required

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or an equivalent technical discipline
• Proven experience in proposal management, project engineering or a comparable technical role
• Broad technical knowledge of aircraft systems, structures and interiors
• Knowledge of EASA/FAA regulations and aeronautical standards
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Fluent in both Dutch and English

Preferred

• Experience within VIP aircraft completions, aircraft modifications or Special Mission aircraft
• Experience leading multidisciplinary proposal or engineering teams
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer-driven proposal processes
• Knowledge of market developments within the aerospace industry

A company with over a hundred years of experience, innovation, knowledge and expertise coursing through our veins. Our cross-departmental approach and tailor-made solutions are making their mark on the future of aerospace innovation. With our welcoming and friendly culture, we are more than just colleagues. We are a team of friends committed to both fun and development in the workplace. This enthusiasm and ongoing performance development ensures that our employees commit to Fokker Services Group for the long-term.

We are pioneers and we are dauntless. It's no coincidence that we're a global player in the field of aircraft maintenance and advancement. Together with our keen and initiative-taking colleagues, we work on the most innovative and advanced solutions aiming at creating a more sustainable and optimal aerospace sector. We continue to push the boundaries of possibility. And that's how we make sure we keep aircraft where they belong: in the air!

Working at Fokker Services Group gives you the opportunity to work in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment, with innovative thinking and cooperation with a no-nonsense culture as the core. You will be guided by professional and resolute colleagues, which will give you the knowledge and experience to further boost your career.

You will work in a dynamic project environment, typically managing a portfolio of approximately three projects in different EPIC phases. Your core team consists of around 10 professionals, including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Proposal Managers, Planners and Sales Managers. Successful execution requires close collaboration with Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Production, Component Maintenance and Commercial teams, as well as frequent interaction with customers and project sponsors.

We also offer you:

• A challenging role at the intersection of engineering, sales and project management
• The opportunity to work on high-profile VIP and Special Mission aircraft projects
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of aviation experts
• Excellent opportunities for professional and personal development
• Competitive employment conditions under the Metalektro CLA
• 27 vacation days and 13 ADV days (based on a full-time contract)