Global Proposal Leader - Industrial Automation Solutions

Associate Director I Global Proposal Leader MSS

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

Proposal Management

• Lead end-to-end proposal process for MSS engineered solutions projects, from RFIs/RFQs/RFPs to submission and post-bid clarifications

• Serve as gatekeeper of pursuit process ensuring proactive funnel management and proper approvals prior to bid submission

• Interpret customer specifications (technical and commercial) and define proposal strategy in coordination with Sales, Solutions Architects and Engineering teams

• Develop customized proposals and bid packages, including technical solutions, execution strategy, commercial terms, and pricing

• Ensure proposals meet internal quality standards, customer expectations, and submission deadlines

• Implement standardized proposal work processes in Europe for Process Gas & Liquid business and in China for both business segments

Cost Estimation

• Prepare accurate cost estimates for automation systems including: 

  • PLC/DCS/SCADA systems

  • Industrial networking and communication

  • HMI development and control panel manufacturing

  • Field instrumentation integration

  • Engineering, commissioning, and lifecycle support services

• Develop and maintain pricing tools, estimation models, and historical cost databases

• Gather and validate supplier quotes and internal cost inputs (labor, software licenses, hardware, sub-contractors)

  Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with Sales Teams and World Area Leaders to track trends and patterns, developing funnel understanding that enables team capacity adjustment

• Work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, and Project Management teams to develop technically feasible and commercially sound proposals

• Lead internal proposal reviews and approvals, presenting risk, margin, and delivery insights to senior management

  Customer Engagement

• Support Sales in customer meetings, proposal presentations, and technical discussions to clarify solutions and value propositions

• Attend site visits or clarification meetings when needed to refine solution scope

  Continuous Improvement

• Enhance proposal templates, processes, and estimation methodologies to reduce turnaround time and improve accuracy

• Analyze win/loss trends and feedback to continuously improve bid quality and competitiveness

   

  Technology & AI Implementation

• Maintain competency matrix and ensure effectiveness per Quality Management System requirements

• Deploy AI tools to reduce cost of quality and specification interpretation errors

• Develop toolsets providing key metrics visibility to all stakeholders across sales pursuit process

• Create comprehensive metrics visibility across the pursuit process

   

  Team Leadership

• Develop strong succession pipeline for critical and managerial roles

• Create plans for quality and faster hiring for open positions

• Invest time with managers to foster high-performance culture across distributed 

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or Automation Engineering (or related discipline)

• 15+ years of experience in proposal, estimation, or technical sales roles in industrial automation sector

 For This Role, You Will Need:

• Strong technical understanding of automation and control systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, control panels, instrumentation, integration services)

• Experience estimating both products and services (engineering, commissioning, lifecycle support)

• Familiarity with major automation platforms (Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider, ABB, Emerson, Honeywell)

• Solid understanding of project lifecycle, costing, and risk management for ETO (engineer-to-order) systems

• Proficient in Excel and ERP/CRM systems; experience with proposal automation tools preferred

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and commercial awareness

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Global team leadership experience across multiple time zones and cultures
  

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart:

• Experience with industrial sectors: Oil & Gas, Water/Wastewater, Power, Manufacturing, or Chemicals

• Knowledge of international standards (IEC, UL, NFPA, etc.) and documentation practices

• PMP, PMI-CP, or other project-related certifications

• Experience working with system integrators or OEMs in automation

Key Performance Indicators

• Proposal Win Rates

• Proposal Turnaround Time

• Estimate Accuracy vs. Actual Project Cost

• On-Time Proposal Submission Rate

• Proposal-to-Order Conversion Ratio

• Stakeholder Satisfaction (internal & external)

Team Engagement and Retention

Our Culture & Commitment to You:

• At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that phenomenal ideas come from great teams. Our dedication to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams, working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results. 

• We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing competitive benefits plans, a variety of medical insurance plans, Employee Assistance Program, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.

Experience Level

Mid Level