Bid Manager Defence (Open also to Protected Categories, Law 68/99)

Location: Firenze, Italy

Thales people architect solutions at the heart of the defence-security continuum. Interoperable and secure information and telecommunications systems for defence, security, and civil operators, are based upon innovative use of radiocommunications, networks, and cybersecurity. We are ground breaking new digital technologies such as 4G mobile communications, cryptography, cloud computing and big data for use in physical protection systems, and critical information systems.

Sesto Fiorentino is the Headquarter of Thales Italia. It hosts two Domains: Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) and Security (SIX). The activity of GTS domain: Security systems, telecommunications, supervision, control & management information and signalling solutions for trains, trams and metros Regarding railway solutions, Thales is the homologated supplier of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana for Axel Counters, Tunnel Security, Energy Saving, SCADA systems and Asset Management. Italy is Thales Group’s competence centre for tramway signalling solutions. The activity of SIX domain: mission critical solutions and applications for assets and citizens security (supervision, control and information management systems) as well as cybersecurity. Thales offers solutions to protect the information systems and critical data of its civilian and military customers and helps its customers to detect and prevent cyberattacks by devising secure architectures from the design stage, overseeing these architectures and ensures that they are kept in secure working order. Italy is Thales Group’s competence centre for Airport security and operations management solutions.

About the team

The department Bids, within Thales Italy Security and Defense Business Line department, is responsible for creating bids of high quality. To do this, close cooperation with different departments is necessary: Sales, Financial, Engineering Specialist, Contract and Legal, quality and Bid Support.

We are looking for a Bid Manager

Bid Management leads the Bid activities throughout its lifecycle to the satisfaction of the different stakeholders. Role’s responsibilities include leading Bid activities throughout the Thales Italia Bid process in an international and multicultural environment to ensure the success and a profitable growth of the Company.
As Bid Manager he/she is responsible for management, planning and execution of the Offer based on commitments validated by all Work Package Managers/involved functions and preparing the initial project baseline which will be transferred to the Project Manager. He/she manages and coordinates internal and external dedicated teams (including the partners, subcontractors and supply chain) in collaboration with the permanent organization of the entity, and he/she is responsible for closing the Bid and ensuring the smooth transition to the Project Manager.
 

As Bid Manager he/she has the responsibility to:

•  Deliver the Bids in coordination with Marketing and Sales Team and working in close coordination with it.
•  Interface and coordinate internal/external teams managing and maintaining the timeline of the Bid.
• Interface the Customer if required for clarification or during the bid evaluation process.
•  Set up the Bid Plan and Manage the Bid according the Thales “Manage Bid Process” 
•  Lead the Bid activities and the Bid Team throughout the Bid lifecycle
•  Contribute in the development of the win themes, hot buttons, value propositions and positive discriminators and build the Proposal in accordance. 
•  Defines the initial project baseline based on a viable solution and project structure compliant to the Customer requirements and Company strategy/policy.
• Secure the consistency of the Bid Baseline to the Customer requirements (RFQ) 
• Monitor and validate the RFQ requirements’ compliance throughout the Bid execution
• Ensure the On-time, On-Cost and On-Quality Bid execution 
•  Deliver an agreed and authorized cost estimation (Total Cost at Completion) including managed risks & opportunities and financial costs 
• In team with the M&S Capture Leader manage the Bid Internal Reviews and formal Approval gates and prepare the relevant data package.   Prepare and/or Review the Bid and Offer Documentation 
• Assure the timely delivery of the Bid Pack
• Contribute to negotiations with the Customer. 
• Ensure successful and smooth transition of the Bid process to the Project phase and contribute to preparing, organizing and validating the Project launch. 
• Contribute to closing the Bid (archiving of documents, closing of the expenditure authorizations) by capitalizing and sharing on enterprise experience (lessons learnt).

Required skills and competencies:

•  Master Degree Engineering specialties
•  Have experience in Management of Bid & Proposal (experience in Defence Industry is a plus)
•  Fluent English.
•  Willingness to keep up to date the competence on Defense Industry trends, in particular Italian Defence and Public Contract Regulations and Legislation.
• Openness in dealing with international teams and different cultures.    Strong management skills, with the ability to overcome complex situations and to manage multi-tasking and tight schedules;
•  Be a team player with strong dedication to achieve common team goals;
•  Be enthusiastic with good communication skills;
• Be able to motivate and support stakeholders of all levels;
•  Have a “can-do” mentality: entrepreneurial, flexible and open minded;
• Willingness to travel in Italy or worldwide.

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, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!