Lead Supply Chain Proposal Professional

Saab, Inc. is seeking a senior individual contributor to lead Supply Chain proposal efforts for complex U.S. Government and Department of Defense (DoD) solicitations. This role coordinates, develops, analyzes, and validates Supply Chain inputs from solicitation review through final proposal submission, collaborating across multiple functional organizations.

About the role

This leadership position serves as the Supply Chain lead for assigned proposals, responsible for material and subcontract cost estimates, supplier proposal analysis, Bases of Estimate (BOEs) development, and ensuring alignment with overall proposal strategy. The role requires interpreting complex solicitations, translating FAR/DFARS requirements, and driving cross-functional proposal activities through influence without direct people-management responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead Supply Chain contributions to complex U.S. Government and DoD proposals, including design, engineering, production, implementation, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle support.
• Serve as primary Supply Chain point of contact for assigned proposals, coordinating activities and ensuring timely, compliant inputs.
• Review and analyze solicitations, Statements of Work (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWSs), CDRLs, technical requirements, CLINs, and Section L/M requirements to identify Supply Chain cost drivers.
• Translate solicitation requirements into material, subcontract, supplier, logistics, and other Supply Chain cost requirements.
• Develop comprehensive material and subcontract cost estimates, including direct material, supplier-provided equipment, services, subcontractor costs, escalation, freight, and logistics.
• Maintain Bases of Estimate (BOEs) and supporting documentation with clear source, methodology, assumptions, and traceability.
• Analyze and reconcile Bills of Material (BOMs), engineering estimates, and supplier inputs to ensure alignment with technical solutions.
• Lead Buyer team in soliciting supplier quotations, evaluating responses, identifying discrepancies, and assessing supplier assumptions.
• Research historical procurement data, prior proposals, purchase orders, and market data to develop defensible cost estimates.
• Develop and maintain cost-estimating models, tools, and databases to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Identify and evaluate cost, schedule, technical, supplier, and contractual risks; develop mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate supplier/subcontractor inputs for compliance with solicitation, technical, and contractual requirements.
• Apply and interpret FAR/DFARS requirements and their impact on Supply Chain strategy and cost estimates.
• Coordinate with Contracts and other functions to ensure prime contract and flow-down requirements are incorporated.
• Partner with Engineering, Finance, Program Management, and other teams to develop integrated proposal solutions.
• Represent Supply Chain in proposal reviews, pricing reviews, and leadership meetings.
• Provide recommendations on cost strategy, supplier strategy, sourcing approach, and estimating methodology.
• Resolve cross-functional proposal issues and discrepancies between technical requirements, BOMs, and cost estimates.
• Ensure Supply Chain inputs are accurate, complete, traceable, and submitted per schedule and review requirements.
• Maintain documentation and audit trails for estimating assumptions, supplier quotations, and cost analysis.
• Support customer/Government audit activities and cost/price analysis inquiries.
• Develop and present cost summaries, pricing analyses, risk assessments, and briefings to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve proposal estimating processes, tools, and data quality.
• Collaborate with U.S. and international stakeholders to obtain technical, commercial, and cost information.
• Exercise independent judgment for quality, accuracy, and defensibility of proposal work products.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support Supply Chain and business development objectives.
• Travel domestically and internationally (up to 10%), including to Saab Inc. locations and Sweden.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, Operations, Economics, or related discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s/MBA/JD with 6+ years, or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated experience developing cost estimates, pricing analyses, or supplier/subcontractor inputs for complex products, systems, or programs.
• Experience with U.S. Government or DoD solicitations, proposals, or contracts.
• Strong understanding of Supply Chain, procurement, subcontracting, sourcing, material management, and cost-estimating principles.
• Analytical and quantitative skills to evaluate technical, financial, supplier, and historical cost data.
• Ability to develop and defend cost-estimating methodologies, assumptions, and BOEs.
• Strong understanding of FAR/DFARS requirements and their application to U.S. Government contracting.
• Proficiency in interpreting complex solicitations and translating them into actionable Supply Chain requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for cost modeling, data analysis, and large datasets; proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Effective written and verbal communication for complex financial, contractual, and technical information.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to lead through influence.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent proposals and competing priorities under deadlines.
• Professional judgment and accountability for work product, including error identification and issue escalation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting DoD major system, platform, technology, or sustainment proposals.
• Experience with Should-Cost, Should-Pay, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), or similar methodologies.
• Experience evaluating supplier/subcontractor proposals per FAR/DFARS and Government contracting requirements.
• Experience with Certified Cost or Pricing Data, Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (formerly TINA), and price/cost analysis.
• Experience supporting DCAA, DCMA, or other Government audit/review activities.
• Experience analyzing BOMs, engineering estimates, material requirements, and technical specifications.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, sourcing strategy, subcontractor management, and risk assessment.
• Experience with ERP, procurement, supply chain, or financial systems for historical data analysis.
• Experience with cost escalation, inflationary analysis, learning curves, and labor/material indices.
• Experience developing cost-estimating tools, templates, processes, and standard methodologies.
• Experience with risk management and quantitative assessment of cost/schedule risks.
• Experience in a CPSR-covered or similarly regulated Government contracting environment.
• Professional certification such as CPCM, CFCM, CPSM, PMP, or equivalent.

Pay

The compensation range for this role is $101,600 - $132,000. The final offer considers factors including role responsibilities, location, market conditions, work experience, key skills, and education/training.