At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the end-to-end tender process for complex service contracts and coordinate cross-functional teams.
- Company: Fast-growing company focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, 25 days holiday, and monthly wellbeing allowance.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a crucial sector.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years experience in managing tenders and strong project management skills.
- Other info: Enjoy regular company events and excellent career growth opportunities.
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.
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
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 Limited
Contact Detail:
First Mile Limited 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
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your skills in managing complex tenders.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to check our website regularly for new opportunities! We’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team, and applying directly through us can give you an edge. Keep your eyes peeled for roles that match your skills and experience!
We think you need these skills to ace Bid Manager
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 Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific examples where you've successfully managed the bid lifecycle or coordinated with multiple stakeholders. We love seeing concrete achievements that demonstrate your project management prowess!
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your responses well. We appreciate a well-organised submission that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Mile Limited
✨Know Your Tenders
Before the interview, dive deep into 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 that you understand the complexities of the role and are ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience managing multiple tenders simultaneously. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've coordinated cross-functional teams and maintained timelines. This will demonstrate your organisational capabilities and ability to handle pressure.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since excellent written communication is key for a Bid Manager, practice articulating your thoughts clearly during the interview. You might even want to prepare a brief written response to a mock tender question to showcase your proposal development skills.
✨Highlight Your Commercial Awareness
Discuss your understanding of pricing strategies and commercial assumptions. Be ready to explain how you've applied bid/no-bid discipline in past roles. This will show that you not only understand the technical aspects but also the financial implications of your proposals.