Bid Manager

Bid Manager

Full-Time 55000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
First Mile | Certified B Corp

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage the tender process for exciting national and multi-site service contracts.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing company focused on sustainability and innovation.
  • Benefits: 25 days holiday, enhanced parental leave, wellbeing allowance, and team socials.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that drives business success and sustainability.
  • Qualifications: 5-7 years in managing tenders, strong project management, and excellent communication skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and development.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: London, UK (Hybrid)

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 + performance bonus

Reporting to: Interim Commercial Lead

Role Overview

The Bid Manager is responsible for managing the end-to-end tender process for complex national and multi-site service contracts. This role ensures the business identifies appropriate opportunities, submits high-quality proposals, and maintains commercial discipline throughout the tender lifecycle. The Bid Manager acts as the central coordination point for formal procurement processes including framework agreements, public and private sector tenders, and structured RFP opportunities. Working closely with Business Development, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain, the Bid Manager will ensure the business pursues the right opportunities and submits well-structured, competitive proposals.

Key Responsibilities

  • Tender Intelligence & Opportunity Management
    • Maintain oversight of relevant tender portals, procurement platforms, and framework opportunities.
    • Monitor upcoming procurement activity across target sectors and maintain a structured opportunity pipeline.
    • Identify relevant opportunities and coordinate internal evaluation and decision-making.
    • Maintain a central register of live tenders, frameworks, and upcoming re-tender opportunities.
  • Bid Process Management
    • Lead the full bid lifecycle from PQQ through to final submission.
    • Coordinate cross-functional contributors including operations, finance, supply chain, and business development.
    • Develop clear response structures and ensure high-quality written submissions.
    • Manage bid timelines and ensure all submissions are accurate, compliant, and delivered on time.
    • Ensure clear documentation of assumptions and commitments made within each proposal.
  • Commercial Coordination
    • Support the Interim Commercial Lead in applying bid / no-bid discipline.
    • Ensure pricing inputs and commercial assumptions are clearly documented and validated prior to submission.
    • Prepare summary information for internal approval on larger or higher-risk tenders.
    • Ensure proposals align with agreed commercial and operational parameters.
  • Framework Management
    • Maintain oversight of framework agreements and approved supplier lists.
    • Coordinate submissions required to access new frameworks and procurement platforms.
    • Track mini-competitions and framework opportunities relevant to the business.
    • Support Business Development colleagues in identifying opportunities arising from framework membership.
  • Post-Submission Review
    • Track bid performance and maintain records of win / loss outcomes.
    • Lead internal debriefs following key submissions to identify improvement opportunities.
    • Maintain a library of proposal content, responses, and supporting materials.
    • Support continuous improvement in submission quality and bid efficiency.
  • Mobilisation Handover
    • Ensure a structured handover from sales to operations following contract award.
    • Document key operational and commercial commitments made during the tender process.
    • Support the transition into delivery to ensure contract mobilisation aligns with the submitted proposal.

Requirements Skills & Experience

  • 5-7 years' experience managing complex tenders or proposal processes.
  • Experience responding to public sector or structured procurement processes.
  • Strong project management and organisational capability.
  • Excellent written communication and proposal development skills.
  • Commercial awareness and the ability to work with pricing and operational inputs.
  • Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across commercial and operational teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent opportunities within a structured process.

Success Measures

  • Bid win rate
  • Quality and consistency of submissions
  • Bid process efficiency and on-time delivery
  • Framework participation and opportunity capture
  • Commercial discipline within submitted proposals

Benefits

  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with additional days awarded for length of service
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity scheme
  • Monthly wellbeing allowance
  • Regular company events and team socials
  • Opportunity to join a fast-growing company operating in a sector that is becoming increasingly important as businesses focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility

Bid Manager employer: First Mile | Certified B Corp

Join a dynamic and forward-thinking company in London as a Bid Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable service contracts. With a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, you will enjoy 25 days of holiday, enhanced family leave, and a monthly wellbeing allowance, all within a collaborative work culture that values your contributions. This is an excellent opportunity for professional growth in a fast-growing sector that prioritises environmental responsibility.
First Mile | Certified B Corp

Contact Detail:

First Mile | Certified B Corp Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Bid Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opportunity!

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure you can clearly articulate your experience and what you bring to the table. Tailor your pitch to highlight your skills in managing complex tenders and working with cross-functional teams.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Bid Manager position.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to check our website regularly! We often post new opportunities that might not be advertised elsewhere. Applying directly through our site can give you an edge, so keep an eye out for roles that match your skills and experience.

We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager

Tender Management
Proposal Development
Project Management
Commercial Awareness
Stakeholder Coordination
Written Communication
Organisational Skills
Opportunity Management
Bid Lifecycle Management
Compliance Management
Framework Management
Performance Tracking
Continuous Improvement
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bid Manager role. Highlight your experience with managing complex tenders and showcase your written communication skills. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!

Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves coordinating multiple stakeholders, it’s essential to demonstrate your project management capabilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed timelines and ensured compliance in previous roles. We love a good success story!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your responses well. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point, just like we do in our proposals.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile | Certified B Corp

✨Know Your Tenders

Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the tender processes relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with public sector procurement and the specific frameworks mentioned in the job description. This will show your potential employer that you’re not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about the industry.

✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience managing complex tenders. Prepare examples that highlight your project management capabilities, especially how you've coordinated cross-functional teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness

Since the role requires a strong understanding of commercial discipline, be prepared to discuss how you’ve handled pricing inputs and commercial assumptions in past proposals. Bring up specific instances where your commercial awareness led to successful bid outcomes.

✨Prepare for Post-Submission Insights

Think about how you’ve tracked bid performance and conducted internal debriefs in previous roles. Be ready to share how you’ve used feedback to improve future submissions. This shows that you’re committed to continuous improvement, which is crucial for the Bid Manager position.

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