Proposal Strategist

Responsibilities 

• Lead proposal development efforts utilizing Shipley proposal management standards and best practices, including proposal planning, win strategy development, resource assignments, compliance review, and proposal execution. 

• Review solicitation documents including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), and facilitate proposal kickoff meetings to establish strategy, responsibilities, schedules, and deliverables. 

• Manage multiple proposals and pursuit opportunities simultaneously while supporting the diverse needs of Strategic Businesses, sales teams, project managers, manufacturer partners, and Ferguson leadership. 

• Serve as the project manager for assigned proposal opportunities by developing schedules, managing action items, facilitating team communication, tracking progress, and ensuring the timely delivery of all proposal components. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders across Ferguson, including Sales, Project Management, Integration, Operations, Legal, Risk Management, Tax, Supplier Diversity and Minority Outreach, Marketing, and Executive Leadership. 

• Curate, collaborate, and collect information from subject matter experts, manufacturer representatives, business partners, and internal stakeholders to develop complete and compelling proposal responses. 

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve proposal templates, content libraries, project profiles, resumes, graphics, and other reusable pursuit assets. 

• Ensure all proposal submissions are compliant with customer requirements and include all required documentation, which may include pricing, schedules, staffing plans, product information, technical narratives, certifications, forms, and supporting documentation. 

• Draft, edit, proofread, and format proposal content to ensure consistency, accuracy, compliance, and a professional presentation. 

• Develop persuasive and customer-focused proposal narratives that clearly communicate Ferguson's value proposition, capabilities, experience, and differentiators. 

• Analyze technical specifications, project documentation, manufacturer information, and customer requirements to determine appropriate content and apply that knowledge to proposal responses, qualifications packages, and customer-facing materials. 

• Create professional graphics, charts, organizational diagrams, process visuals, and presentation materials that enhance proposal quality and support customer engagement. 

• Track proposal activity, market trends, project opportunities, and win/loss results to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased competitiveness. 

• Support sales teams throughout the pursuit lifecycle, including pre-proposal planning, customer presentations, shortlist interviews, post-RFP questions and clarifications, and other sales enablement activities. 

• Assist with the development of shortlist presentations, interview materials, customer-facing documentation, and other strategic pursuit deliverables. 

• Participate in proposal debriefs, win/loss reviews, and lessons learned activities to improve future pursuit strategies and response quality. 

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance the efficiency, consistency, quality, and scalability of proposal and pursuit activities across Strategic Businesses. 

• Support strategic initiatives and special projects that drive business growth, improve operational effectiveness, strengthen customer relationships, and create lasting impact beyond a single proposal opportunity. 

Minimum Requirements 

2+ years of relevant experience 

Preferred Experience 

• 1+ years' experience with sales administration. 

• 1+ years' experience with proposal development. 

• 1+ years' experience editing large documents for consistency and accuracy. 

• Advanced proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

• Strong attention to detail and document quality control.  

• Strong proofreading, editing, and formatting skills.  

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines and competing priorities while maintaining quality and accuracy.  

• Ability to adapt and be flexible with changing priorities and business needs.  

• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across multiple departments and levels of the organization.  

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.  

• High aptitude for learning new processes, products, and systems efficiently.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Adobe Acrobat.  

• Technical writing experience is preferred.  

• Experience in creating professional graphics and visual content is preferred.  

• Shipley Proposal Certification is preferred. 

• Experience responding to public-sector, municipal, utility, infrastructure, industrial, or construction-related solicitations is a plus. 

Education 

4-year degree in Business or related field or equivalent experience. 

Desired skills for proposal specialist include: 

• Excel 

• Salesforce 

• SharePoint 

• OneDrive 

• Standard government forms 

• Adobe Creative Suite 

• Canva 

• PowerPoint 

• MS Word 

Benefits 

Ferguson is dedicated to providing meaningful benefits programs and products to our associates and their families—geared toward benefits, wellness, financial protection and retirement savings.  Ferguson offers a competitive benefits package which includes: medical, dental, vision, retirement savings with company match, paid leave (vacation, sick, personal and holiday), employee assistance programs, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and much more!