bid manager

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure. Thales has built a presence in the United Arab Emirates for over 35 years, and today has over 300 employees. Thales in the UAE is part of our Middle East business that has 1,800 people across Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, KSA, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and UAE. Together we delivered technology for the Dubai metro, the longest driverless metro network in the world and a fare collection system that processes up to 250,000 transactions per day. We make UAE a safer place by providing secure electronic payment solutions, cyber security systems and communications as well as security systems for Dubai International Airport and air traffic management and navigation systems for Abu Dhabi's airport.

• Manage the complete coordination of proposals, answers to tenders, RFI (request for information) or EOI (Expression of Interest).
• Win the most potential tenders with the highest possible margin, contributing to steady and sustainable growth of sales.
• Ensure governance on the tender process through risk management (financial, legal, technical, etc.).
• Proposals management
  • Be accountable for the contents and the quality of the response submission: administratively, technically and financially. Delegate the technical part of the solution to the Solution Manager and Technical Delivery Consultant.
  • Ensure that the bid process is followed according to the rules for each answer.
  • Coordinate and challenge all contributors and experts including Sales, Legal, Finance, Platform & Services Delivery, Product Management, Technical Consultant, Marketing and Operations to deliver the most competitive and least risk-exposed proposal possible.
  • As the project manager of the offer, monitor legal and commercial relations and communication with partners and customer.
  • Package the whole proposal and deliver it to the sales manager.
  • Support sales during contract negotiation phases to ensure target margins are respected and risks are not increased.
  • Support sales when responding to RFI to anticipate Thales answers and positively influence the customer.
  • Hand-over responsibility to Platform & Services Delivery project manager when the deal is won or to the Technical Delivery Consultant / Product Manager / Supply Chain if the deal only involves product delivery.
• Gates management
  • Own and manage the Bid Process, responsible for constant improvements through periodic reviews and workshops.
  • Update documentation related to the process and ensure clear communication within the Business Line.
  • Manage and organize archiving and re-use of answers and references.
  • Organize periodic training sessions for regions on the Bid process.
• Manage the product quotations for the tenders
  • Interface with sales, marketing and product managers to define the best target price with focus on risk and financial assessments.

• Education
  • Business degree with experience in a technical environment; or
  • Engineering degree in IT or Electronics with business experience.
• Experience
  • Minimum 5 years of experience as a bid manager, sales engineer or project manager for complex solution selling within a high-tech company.
• Competences
  • Technical / Functional: IT, software and network solutions, printing and security technologies; fluent English; French and Arabic a plus.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office proficiency (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); SharePoint and APMP/PM methodologies are assets.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft Visio preferred; knowledge of Thales portfolio is an asset.
• Behavioral skills
  • Business-minded, team player in multi-disciplinary and cross-geographical teams.
  • Strong leadership, coordination, and pro-active engagement with subject matter experts and senior management.
  • Self-driven with an appetite to win large and complex deals; ability to work under pressure.
  • Ability to understand complex businesses and sales processes and to communicate with multiple interfaces.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!