At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bid strategy and manage complex tender processes for high-value contracts.
- Company: Join a fast-growing company focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced parental leave, and a monthly wellbeing allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and team events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vital sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years experience in managing tenders and strong project management skills.
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 Commercial Bid Leader owns the commercial bid strategy and execution for complex, high-value opportunities and 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 to ensure the business pursues the right opportunities and submits well-structured, competitive proposals.
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
Commercial Bid Leader employer: First Mile | Certified B Corp
Join a dynamic and fast-growing company in London as a Commercial Bid Leader, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping our bid strategy for high-value opportunities. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, with 25 days of holiday, enhanced family leave, and regular team events to foster collaboration and camaraderie. With a focus on sustainability and professional growth, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact while advancing their career in a thriving sector.
Contact Detail:
First Mile | Certified B Corp Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Bid Leader
✨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 colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨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 how it aligns with the role of Commercial Bid Leader. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay organised! Keep track of all the tenders and opportunities you’re interested in. Use a spreadsheet or a project management tool to monitor deadlines, requirements, and follow-ups. This will help you stay on top of your game and ensure you never miss a chance to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to submit your application. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your bid management skills and experience!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Bid Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Bid Leader role. Highlight your experience with complex tenders and showcase your project management skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since this role requires excellent written communication, include examples of high-quality proposals you've developed in the past. We love seeing clear, concise writing that gets straight to the point, so let your skills shine through!
Be Organised:Demonstrate your organisational capabilities by outlining how you've managed multiple bids or projects simultaneously. We appreciate candidates who can juggle tasks while maintaining attention to detail, so share your strategies with us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile | Certified B Corp
✨Know Your Bid Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the entire bid lifecycle, from PQQ to final submission. Be ready to discuss how you've managed complex tenders in the past and the strategies you used to ensure timely and compliant submissions.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
Highlight your experience in coordinating cross-functional teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully brought together different departments like finance, operations, and business development to create winning proposals.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of commercial discipline in bids. Share insights on how you've documented pricing inputs and commercial assumptions, ensuring they align with operational parameters.
✨Prepare for Post-Submission Reviews
Talk about your approach to tracking bid performance and conducting internal debriefs. Emphasise your commitment to continuous improvement and how you've maintained a library of proposal content to enhance future submissions.
