Position Overview: The Bayou Companies seeks a dynamic and experienced Commercial Manager to join our team. As the Commercial Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving the commercial success of our business, overseeing and executing key aspects of our Proposal-to-Delivery process, which includes supporting the development of Bayou’s cost models, proposals & bids, business development efforts, contract reviews, and client relationship management.

With multiple commercial activities underway at any moment, the role requires someone who can manage multiple responsibilities, meet urgent deadlines, work with different individuals across the organization, has good commercial sense, is proficient in technical writing, and is obsessive over accuracy and details. A proven track record of cultivating and maintaining profitable relationships, negotiating contracts, and implementing effective commercial strategies to help deliver new business is critical to the role.

This senior role will report directly to the Vice President / General Manager of The Bayou Companies.

Responsibilities:

1. Proposal Development: Lead the Proposal-to-Delivery process for developing high-quality proposals and bids in response to client requests for proposals or quotes and other tendering opportunities with a focus on accuracy, completeness, aesthetics, and alignment with the bid’s value proposition.

2. Proposal Strategy: Collaborate with sales, operations, technical, QHSE, and executive teams to develop winning proposal strategies aligned with client needs, project requirements, and business objectives.

3. Pricing Model: Review, edit, and work with stakeholders across the company to ensure the cost model accurately reflects operational reality. Lead the ongoing effort to update and develop the model for continuous improvement.

4. Content Creation: Write, edit, and format proposal content, including executive summaries, technical specifications, project methodologies, pricing schedules, and other proposal sections, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance with client specifications and requirements.

5. Bid Coordination: Coordinate and manage the proposal development process, including timeline management, resource allocation, and task assignment, to ensure the timely submission of high-quality proposals that meet client deadlines and expectations.

6. Proposal Reviews: Facilitate internal reviews of proposals, soliciting feedback from subject matter experts and key stakeholders to enhance proposal content, address internal/external feedback, mitigate prospective project risks, and maximize proposal quality and competitiveness.

7. Client Engagement: Interface with clients and key stakeholders throughout the proposal process to gather requirements, clarify scope, address inquiries, and build relationships that enhance our understanding of client needs and preferences. Form relationships with key contacts in our client’s procurement, project, and management teams to develop and maintain trust relationships.

8. Knowledge Management: Maintain a repository of proposal content, templates, go-bys, and best practices to streamline future proposal development efforts and ensure consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement in our proposal and bidding processes.

9. Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure proposals and bids strictly comply with client specifications, internal standards, and industry regulations, conducting thorough quality assurance checks to minimize errors and maximize proposal accuracy and compliance.

10. Client Relationship Management: Nurture and maintain strong relationships with existing clients, serving as a key point of contact for commercial inquiries, negotiations, and issue resolution. Learn and adapt to client axioms and customs to engage and communicate proficiently with key stakeholders.

11. Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations for contracts, including sensitive items such as indemnification, warranty, insurance, consequential loss, and other liabilities, to safeguard the company's risk profile and financial stability.

• Bachelor's degree required. MBA is a plus.
• Proven experience in commercial management, proposals management, or senior sales support roles within the energy or industrial services sector
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Critical thinker with a data-driven approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
• Excellent technical/professional writing, editing, and communication skills
• A detail-oriented approach focusing on accuracy, quality, and consistency in proposal content and presentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Project, and PowerPoint, as well as other critical software/programs such as Adobe Acrobat and SalesForce.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment
• Willing to travel or work extended hours if the project or task at hand demands it