Sales Lead/Business Development Manager

Job Summary

Proposal Lead

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Proposal Leadership

• Own the complete proposal lifecycle from RFQ analysis to final submission.
• Ensure proposals align with customer expectations and internal profitability targets.
• Implement pricing updates for existing customers based on market dynamics (e.g., material cost fluctuations, inflation, competitor pricing).
• Mentor junior proposal engineers in DFM practices, mold flow analysis, and costing methodologies.

2. Advanced Technical Proposal Development

• Conduct feasibility studies and

  Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

  reviews for complex molds (e.g., multi-cavity, hot runner, over molding).
• Perform

  mold flow simulations

  ) to validate part fill, cooling, and warpage.
• Review 2D/3D CAD models and work with engineering teams to optimize tooling for manufacturability.

3. Precision Costing & Commercial Strategy

• Create detailed cost models including:
• Materials (tool steels, hot runners, mold accessories)
• Machining (CNC, EDM, polishing), labor, and overheads
• Post-processing costs (if applicable)
• Benchmark costs using historical data and competitor analysis.
• Negotiate pricing with vendors for outsourced mold components (bases, inserts, hot runners, etc.).

4. Business Development & Analytics

• Generate new inquiries from Engineering, Aero space, Railway,

  automotive, medical  and Pharma, consumer goods sectors

  via research and outreach.
• Monitor lead conversion metrics (e.g., RFQ-to-order ratio) using CRM tools and improve win rates.
• Conduct root cause analysis for lost bids and refine proposal strategy accordingly.

5. Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the

  primary technical contact

  for customers during the proposal stage.
• Present and justify proposals using

  data-driven insights

  .
• Coordinate with production, procurement, and quality teams to ensure seamless post-order execution.
• Responsible for managing outstanding payments, addressing customer complaints, and ensuring timely resolution of client concerns.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in

  Mechanical, Plastics, or Tool Engineering

  .
• Minimum

  7+ years

  in proposal engineering.
• Minimum

  3+ years

  in mold/tool design or manufacturing.
• Proven experience in

  plastic injection molding

  , preferably in

  automotive or medical

  sectors.

Technical Competencies

• ✔

  DFM & Mold Flow Analysis

  – Gate design, cooling channels, parting lines.
• ✔

  Cost Estimation

  – Strong command of pricing trends, machining rates, and cost breakdowns,
• ✔

  CAD & Simulation

  – Proficiency in

  SolidWorks

  and basic ERP systems.
• ✔

  Materials Science

  – Thermoplastics, tool steels, and surface treatments.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• ✔

  Strategic Pricing

  – Balancing competitive and profitable pricing strategies.
• ✔

  Negotiation

  – Effective communication with both customers and suppliers.
• ✔

  Analytical Thinking

  – Benchmarking competitors, identifying market gaps.
• ✔

  Customer-Centric

  – Problem-solving and relationship-building with key accounts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience with

  automotive OEMs

  and

  medical device tooling

  .
• Proficiency in

  CRM tools

  and

  advanced Excel

  for cost modeling.

Performance Metrics

• ✅

  Proposal Win Rate

  – Target: >30% (industry benchmark)
• ✅

  Lead Conversion Time

  – Inquiry to order cycle
• ✅

  Cost Estimation Accuracy

  – Within ±5% variance
• ✅

  Customer Satisfaction

  – Measured via Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Work Environment

• Office-based:

  ~70%

• Travel:

  20–30% (for customer meetings, industry expos, etc.)